I just sent off an article for Sixty and Me that is titled, “Pandemic Lessons from Joel.”. The upshot is that after the YMCA closed and Special Olympics stopped all the sports practices, Joel had to come out to The Woods with Dave and me.

There is a lot we are learning from Joel.

Not his first choice. BUT, his sister’s home has a police officer in and out.  Since Joel has Down Syndrome, his susceptibility to Coronavirus might be heightened, so out to the country with only Mom, Pop, and pregnant Spirit, Joel came.

We offered to bring his PS4, but he said he could do without it.

We thought he might be bored but he takes several walks a day and talks to friends on the phone and through Facebook.

We thought that he might occasionally complain, but he hasn’t. Not even about the food that is here, as opposed to the food he might have when he is more independent.

We talk about “the virus” and he is eager for it to go away, but he has adapted to his new reality…as he has adapted plenty of times before.  He has moved from house to house, city to city, and once, even to a new state. He has seen siblings leave home. He has weathered jobs where he has not always been treated fairly. He has forgiven and adapted a lot in his life.

Like everyone else, we’ve established a bit of a schedule.

Cooking is an adventure. Meals are anticipated. Music is on. Laundry and dishes are washed and put away.

A walk or 2 a day is common. Sometimes with all three of us. Sometimes alone. Walking is good for you, Joel says. The fresh air is good and it helps him stay positive, he tells me.

Late afternoon, Joel and I were watching Jeopardy, but now have switched to Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?  Then, after dinner, we watch a movie, all three of us together. Right now, Joel is very much into the new Picard series on Amazon Prime.

Today, after an afternoon of helping his Pop with moving old lumber and splitting some wood, Joel just breezed through that he is going to see a neighbor. Mr. Social, that’s Joel. No matter that it will be from a distance and the reason for the short trek is to load up horse manure. He will see an old acquaintance and acknowledge him from afar.

Joel is managing well. I am proud of him.

How are you managing? Let’s talk about it in the comments below!