Routine is Important

Routine is vital for those with health or special-needs challenges. Time limits are a challenge as they cause stress. We've learned to allow Greg to adjust his day according to his abilities at the time. No day is the same in structure but he has a list of things he tries to accomplish. It may mean handwashing dishes happens in the afternoon versus the morning, clothes put away later, or the floor be unswept. As he was unable to do any of these activities for many years, we are pretty pleased with his progress. ​As of May 2024...


Stress Relief

This includes half an hour of exercise twice a week at home to supplement his physical activity at fencing class, time and errands permitting. Weather permitting, a trip outside for natural Vitamin D is a must every day - Greg shoots for 1/2 an hour or, if unable, at least 10-15 mintues. A light therapy lamp is used during foul weather or if he has too many allergies to be outside. Once a week, again weather permitting, he alternates between redneck golf and disc golf in the yard. Reading sometimes helps with calming; he has experimented with computer games, travel research, and history and geography research to calm.

Keeping the Mind Challenged

Keeping the mind stimulated in a variety of ways is important. Greg has been teaching himself guitar and Spanish off and on. He's learned that it is OK to have challenges keeping up with any skill and to keep on trying when able to resume. With the help of a friend, he's learning to set up and use this website. Greg also goes to a fencing class in town once to twice a week. It combines great exercise with the need to plan, move quickly, and pay attention to multiple things at once.

Chores

Chores include emptying & taking out the trash, putting away clean dishes, handwashing dishes, folding and putting away clothes, and making a simple, healthy lunch for all of us. Parents help with other chores as taking care of his entire living situation isn't possible for him. No worries if some of the chores aren't completed or there is a need to trade one off.

Just for Fun

Many special needs people have at least one thing they are quite good at. Greg has been creating greeting cards sometimes. Most highlight a frog (or now a mouse) on the card. Our family is known for frogs as we called Greg "Toad" when he was little as he liked the water so much. Years later, we would tell mouse mafia jokes because of our experiences with mice in the house. Our business name is toadally-healthy, LLC in honor of Greg. Without his dramatic changes in health, we wouldn't have a business. Focusing on art has been a challenge so he doesn't do as many cards as he used to.

Through Greg's Day in Photos