The Crooked Path Farm

Sometimes you have to tear stuff down to build back up. The back porch off my house got hit pretty hard about 2 years ago by 90 mph winds and it peeled the top of the roof back like a tin can, including the gutter and the fascia. A temporary fix was put in place, but sadly the damage was done. It needed to go. So this last few days my nephew and his brothers in law came and took it down.
They didn't do it for the praise or for recognition, and they certainly didn't do it for the pay (because I couldn't pay them) but just because they wanted to bless my son and I.
So, what now? The plan is to one day expand the deck and enclose most if not all of it. That will come in time as I can. For now, I will enjoy the little deck and the knowledge that there is no longer a wall of mold attached to my house.
Thank you men for helping!!

I was thinking this morning maybe I should explain why a sensory farm. (Just in case you don't already know)
One simple word: my son, the longer version.
He seemed fine when he born. He met the big milestones early. Everything except speaking and fine motor skills. Words came and words went, some came back, some didn't.
So, his doctor ordered blood tests, after he tired of hearing my concerns, to rule out physiological reasons. At 18 months he was diagnosed with a very high lead level. So, things in the house were repaired or replaced and his numbers improved in less than a year. Also, at 18 months he started seeing an early intervention speech pathologist who came to our home.
Over the following years it became quite apparent that he sought out sensory input. Falling on purpose, loved pressure applied, swinging, twirling, walking on his toes, etc. There are other sensations he does not like: the feel of creepy crawly critters on his skin, (even the light touch of a leaf), etc.
He has had the genetic array testing done. It was found that his genetic anomalies are so extremely rare that there isn't any data so we don't know if this contributes to his specific symptoms.
He is now almost 9 and has worked so hard and has had some great therapists. His speech has come a long way! I am so incredibly proud of him. 💙
It has been a long road and some days are REALLY HARD. Every time I think it would be easier to just sell the animals a different therapist has told me how good they are for him. So, I persevered. And let's face it, some days these animals serve as therapists for me in many ways.
So, I want to help others as well. The Crooked Path Farm is a place where you can come and I assure you there will be no judgment. These animals have heard and seen most anything and everything. They know when to approach and when to step out of the way.
Its not fancy right now, but the goal is to have indoor activity areas, a quiet room, gardens, orchards, and as part of the 5 year plan, a few cabins for overnight stays. That way families with kids with disabilities can have a destination vacation where their specific needs are understood and met.
First step is restrooms. It looks like it might even start with porta potties, but tiny steps are being made.
I don't usually use hashtags, but for this I might try it. Let me know if I did it correctly. 😂