Hi everyone. Today I’m joining #WeekendCoffeeShare. It’s 7:40PM as I start writing my post, so like most times, I’ve had my last cup of coffee for the day. I will have a glass of my favorite soft drink in about half an hour and after that it’s just water, or maybe a cup of bedtime tea. However, I’d love for you to join me for a virtual cup of coffee. Let’s get into my post.
If we were having coffee, first I’d rave about the weather. After all, if you know me, you know that in my opinion summer is the best season. It’s September, but the weather is still summer-like. During most of the week, we had daytime highs above 25°C. Tomorrow, it’s supposed to cool off slightly and after that, sometime next week the temps are supposed to drop to 15°C.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I got in a lot of exercise minutes over the past week, mostly walking. I’m doing a challenge with my spouse on our Apple Watches that lasts up till this Monday and so far, I’m doing much better. I had expected to be slightly better because my spouse is a truck driver, but then again we have the same movement goal even though I’m shorter and as a result lighter than my spouse, which means I burn off fewer calories with the same activity.
If we were having coffee, I’d share that I had my second play therapy session on Wednesday. The first was a bit of a disappointment, because as soon as she saw my staff, the therapist started saying I could come alone next time. I felt mostly disappointed about the fact that she hadn’t asked me or my staff why I need a staff to attend our sessions. When I explained this at this week’s session, she was totally cool with it.
We mostly played with PlayMobil®, which was really intriguing. I did overshare a bit this week, which I later regretted. It feels really challenging to set healthy boundaries, which is one of my goals that I told the therapist about.
If we were having coffee, I’d share that I spoke with my support coordinator again today. On Monday I had a meeting with her and the behavior specialist. One of the things I’d asked to be implemented as soon as possible, is the agreement that staff won’t unlock the door for me when I’m in crisis and will, if necessary, physically prevent me from leaving the home. I had since wondered where the agreement that the door be unlocked came from. I looked at my support agreements, but there was nothing. Today, my support coordinator looked all through my file and couldn’t find the agreement either. This frustrates me, as honestly I have no idea who came up with it. It wouldn’t have been as frustrating, had this not been interpreted as a rule by literally all staff, even staff who hadn’t previously let me out the door. I mean, on Thursday I said I was leaving in an agitated tone and immediately the staff said she’d unlock the door for me. It frustrates me to no end that staff are making rules that they don’t write down and that, as a result, can’t be discussed with me. I hope that, once my support coordinator writes the agreement that I can’t be let out the door, which she’s going to do on Tuesday, this at least will stop in this case. I’m pretty sure there are many other unwritten rules about my care though.
If we were having coffee, lastly I’d tell you I’m really feeling like doing something with polymer clay again, but I am rather uninspired. I did try to make a flower pendant this evening, but so far it’s just a cut out flower with no detail.
A Multitude of Musings 
If we were having coffee I would agree with you that exercise is important, we need to keep our bodies moving, not that mine every really stops moving
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Thanks for sharing! I love your last sentiment. By this I mean, you worded your struggle with Parkinson’s in such a humorous way. I hope this doesn’t offend you, since I in no way mean to say Parkinson’s is funny.
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Nope not offended, my body moves all the bloody time from a gentle swaying motion to like a balloon in a gale
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Congrats on meeting your exercise goals! And, I am happy your support coordinator is writing down the agreed upon plan!
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Thanks so much, carol anne.
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Well done with your exercise challenge! Thank you for your weekend coffee share. have a great week ahead.
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Thanks so much, Natalie!
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Ohh! It has got chilly here and it seems like summer is over.
Well done with the exercise. I am always more willing to exercise if I am in competition with someone.
It must be frustrating when it comes to the rules about your care and them appearing from nowhere.
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Yeah, as of today it’s quite chilly here too. Thanks for the compliment on my exercise. It helps me mostly when I see important trends going up on my Apple Watch, though being in competition is a good thing too. As for my care, indeed no-one knew where the rule about the door being unlocked came from, but at least it’s being changed now.
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Hi Astrid,
I can understand why you might be feeling frustrated about the unwritten rules regarding your care. It’s important for your support team to have clear communication and documentation to ensure that your needs are met in the best way possible. I hope that your support coordinator is able to address this issue promptly.
In regards to feeling uninspired with polymer clay, sometimes taking a break can help reignite your creativity. Maybe try exploring different techniques or seeking inspiration from other sources to find your next project.
Take care and remember that it’s okay to express your feelings and advocate for your needs.
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Thanks so very much for your supportive comment! The unwritten rule about the door being unlocked has been changed to an actual written rule that says the doors shouldn’t be unlocked when I’m in distress and I am consenting to physical restraint if necessary when I’m trying to leave the home (eg. by climbing over the fence).
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Can you overshare with a therapist? Isn’t the idea that you can be open and honest with them to get some help. If there is a line though I am sure I have passed it more than once with my therapist – I have always been an open book there.
Great job on the walking. I need to walk more and am hoping to do so now that I have returned to Iowa whether it be walking around the neighborhood or going to the gym (I have a membership, but have barely used it so far.
Thanks for the coffee and take care of yourself!
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Thanks for your thought-provoking comment. I don’t think you can overshare with a therapist in the sense that it’s going to hurt the therapist, and even if they feel uncomfortable, they can always consult with a colleague or whatever. What I meant was that I was sharing things I personally did not yet feel comfortable with sharing. I didn’t realize this until it’d happened though.
Good luck on your physical activity goals. I’m hoping to go to a gym sometime soon too.
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You’re welcome, Astrid.
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