My brother (43 yrs old) is developmentally delayed (Initial diagnosis in the 70’s was Mental Retardation) and he has schizophrenia that became severe during the pandemic due to increased isolation. He is doing much better and we are getting much closer to managing it the last couple months. He is not able to understand some things, but man… he is wiser than most on some other things! He saw this Welcome Mat yesterday and got so excited and begged me to buy it, he couldn’t stop cracking up….. THEN… he says to me: I hear voices, SO I AM A LITTLE NUTTY!” Omg, that level of self acceptance and ability to find joy and humor….Yep… there is a reason I call him my “Life Hero” Sharing his amazing smile and welcome mat (yes I bought it), and hope it encourages and inspires someone else like it did me.

Awww your brother sounds like a great person! Happy that he's smiling :)

Honestly yesterday was absoutrly epic, fun, healing, and triumphant. 1) Left my House! 2) got to the place we were going to hike and it was a friken construction zone and 90% closed. We rolled with it and enjoyed the big equipment and took pics for our dad who raised us alone and we spent many weekend and summer days on job sites with him as kids. 3) Made a new plan and on the way saw a sub shop and stopped there, adjusting from the plan & I went inside and ordered & only got triggered 2 times!!! Got to sit out side under an adorable huge arch covered in vines and lights and plants all aground . It was so cool! 4) I went into a huge store!! On our way to the new destination his staff that drove him out got excited when she saw we have a Bass ProbShop in town & we changed plans again & went in there and it was so fun to show them around. Saw a bunch of people loading in the elevator and I was not quite ready for that and didn’t judge my self, just said “this is a big day, gonna hold off on elevator till next time” and took the stairs. I had a friken blast in that store and did get startled and jumped back a few times and caught my self doing some mental compulsions right away a couple times. Again I say.. I had a blast, even with the few moments of struggle. 5) I brought our easels and all the supplies and we set up next to the duck pond and painted. We were in a little spot surrounded by big rocks, treas and bushes, creating only one access point to approach us, and it was like 25 feet from the sidewalk, so we could enjoy being in public and see people and even talked to a few, and still were able to relax in that space. It felt so triumphant to be able to be in public and relaxed and enjoy the activity for the most part. At one point I was approached by something very scary that startled me and I dropped my pallet and paint brush and my heart was racing iin response to the unexpected quick approach of that terrifying..,.lead… 🤣 Then we both laughed hysterically, and he kept waiving leaves at me…little brat!! LMAO!

This is so sweet happy 🐢!! 😊 Your brother is adorable! Ps; Don’t we all have days when that welcome mat would fit well?! 😂

I love it! Sometimes people who have developmentals have so much to teach the rest of us. They are so innocent and see the world in such a wonderful and simple way. They find joy in things that most people take for granted. Thank you for sharing this.

Aww sounds like you two were able to overcome your hurdles and enjoy a great day together! That’s so awesome to hear! All the best to you guys! 😊😊👍

great sense of humour! thanks for sharing :)

*leaf, not lead… lol