Weekends at Sojourners residential are pretty chill. There are no therapies like on weekdays. It’s more laborious during the winter as we are stuck inside. I spend a lot of time outdoors during the warmer months, frequently wheeling down to Calvin University’s natural preserve to connect with nature. There’s none of that this time of year.
Some residents (we currently have 14) either never or rarely leave their rooms during the weekend. A couple usually visit family. Three of them with severe TBI’s hang out in the common area watching TV. A couple of others may be playing cards. Staff hang out at the front desk if they are not in the kitchen or doing client care routines.
I’m usually awake by 7 AM and will listen to either music, podcasts or an audiobook until my staff comes in with breakfast between 9 and 10. Then it’s party time as the staff completes my morning routine, then transfers me to the wheelchair.
I’ll doodle on my Dynavox computer (more on that in another blog) reading news and sport articles. I’ll also work on continuing education courses for my social work license and substance use certification.
The therapy gym is a favorite hang out for me. It’s large and wide-open with a lot of natural light. Nobody else goes in there on weekends so it becomes my sanctuary in the winter. This is where I usually do my blogging, read emails, or make phone calls.
I watch TV after lunch, either watching sports (are you catching a prevailing theme here?) or shows on streaming services. I usually have a visitor or two on weekends. I hope to have more excursions meeting friends or family in the community to break up these weekends. Attending church services for the first time since my accident is also on the agenda.
Overall, weekends are long during the winter so I structure parts of my day to keep the mind stimulated, then just relax and recover from a week full of therapies.
Send recommendations if you have interesting podcasts, audiobooks, playlists, or programs (TV or YouTube)!
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