I mentioned in one of my earlier posts that I had a bigger project going on this weekend. Well, I am pleased to say it is nearl complete.
For those that don't know, I have a stepdaughter with a genetic disability that leaves her with virtually no speech, severe learning disorder and very challenging behaviour. This was hard enough when I first met her and become part of the family nearly 15 years ago but now she is close to 23 and we are getting older, we have had to accept that she would be better off in assisted living than at home.
One of the big issues with her being at home is that we do not get free time while ever she is awake. We cannot take her even shopping as her behavioural problems put her and others at potential risk. This is one of the reasons I have struggled with my hobbies, including modelling over the years as you never get more than 20 minutes before you have to check what she is up to. Stealthy as a Ninja when she wants to be.
Anyway, for the last two years we have been in negotiation in trying to find a suitable place where she can live and develop, she would never develop at home now as she needs have constant stimulating contact which we just cannot do enough to make her life better.
The beginning of this week, she moved into a specialist housing unit with 9 other residents and as many staff. Obviously we were worried how she may react as she has no understanding of 'leaving home'. The place is only 10 minutes drive from where we live and the good news is that she is loving it. It will take a lot longer for us to relax than it has taken her and I have been off work this week sorting things out and, getting a bit of modelling done.
Her bedroom here which is much smaller than the plush place she has now, straight away got my better half's gym stuff put in it but I have 'borrowed' a corner to move my work bench out of the living room where it has always been a carbuncle in the corner, into her old room. Also, my spray booth has come out of a shed into the same room so, for the first time ever, I can model and spray as I go along. Before I had to plan it out and go out to the shed, do the spraying and come back. Most of the time I just couldn't do this in the day so it had to be done late evening. This meant that most of the time I just got to the painting stage then gave up as it could be days or even weeks before I could prime it or paint it.
This is a big test for me as mentally, I don't know if I was using the difficulty in working as an excuse for not doing it or if the lack of dedicated time really did stop me doing it. If I find that now I have no excuses/reasons for not modelling that is fine, I will give it up for good. But if I do find that I can now get more done and really enjoy the 'me' time that we have both been denied for so many years then I will look for a more permanent solution.
In the mean time, I give you my 'Almost A Man Cave'. Yes, it's a mess but it is a start, I just need to get it organised now.
Sorry to ramble on but it may be very hard for you to understand what a step forward in our lives, especially my step daughters who will truly benefit, this week has been
For those that don't know, I have a stepdaughter with a genetic disability that leaves her with virtually no speech, severe learning disorder and very challenging behaviour. This was hard enough when I first met her and become part of the family nearly 15 years ago but now she is close to 23 and we are getting older, we have had to accept that she would be better off in assisted living than at home.
One of the big issues with her being at home is that we do not get free time while ever she is awake. We cannot take her even shopping as her behavioural problems put her and others at potential risk. This is one of the reasons I have struggled with my hobbies, including modelling over the years as you never get more than 20 minutes before you have to check what she is up to. Stealthy as a Ninja when she wants to be.
Anyway, for the last two years we have been in negotiation in trying to find a suitable place where she can live and develop, she would never develop at home now as she needs have constant stimulating contact which we just cannot do enough to make her life better.
The beginning of this week, she moved into a specialist housing unit with 9 other residents and as many staff. Obviously we were worried how she may react as she has no understanding of 'leaving home'. The place is only 10 minutes drive from where we live and the good news is that she is loving it. It will take a lot longer for us to relax than it has taken her and I have been off work this week sorting things out and, getting a bit of modelling done.
Her bedroom here which is much smaller than the plush place she has now, straight away got my better half's gym stuff put in it but I have 'borrowed' a corner to move my work bench out of the living room where it has always been a carbuncle in the corner, into her old room. Also, my spray booth has come out of a shed into the same room so, for the first time ever, I can model and spray as I go along. Before I had to plan it out and go out to the shed, do the spraying and come back. Most of the time I just couldn't do this in the day so it had to be done late evening. This meant that most of the time I just got to the painting stage then gave up as it could be days or even weeks before I could prime it or paint it.
This is a big test for me as mentally, I don't know if I was using the difficulty in working as an excuse for not doing it or if the lack of dedicated time really did stop me doing it. If I find that now I have no excuses/reasons for not modelling that is fine, I will give it up for good. But if I do find that I can now get more done and really enjoy the 'me' time that we have both been denied for so many years then I will look for a more permanent solution.
In the mean time, I give you my 'Almost A Man Cave'. Yes, it's a mess but it is a start, I just need to get it organised now.
Sorry to ramble on but it may be very hard for you to understand what a step forward in our lives, especially my step daughters who will truly benefit, this week has been
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