Well Balanced Life with Grace & Mel

Welcome to Well Balanced Life with Grace and Mel. Today's episode is all about handling change, starting something new and CLH (formerly Community Living Huronia).Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

We're back! Welcome to Well Balanced Life with Grace and Mel, where today, Gracie shares an update on what's happened and what's upcoming! Gracie has a lot to look forward to with graduating College, going to Florida, attending CLH groups, cooking classes with her boyfriend and hanging with friends! Sensory issues, connecting thoughts, and Gracie's humour are a part of this episode too! Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Hello and welcome to Well Balanced Life with Grace and Mel. Today's episode is part one of Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) - Adult Supports information. Melanie shares the adult services that will be available to your youth/adult to help them live as successfully and independently as possible. Many parents and caregivers fear the future. Questions like "how will we pay for accommodations and support?"; "who will care for my child when I can't?"; "what if I need a break but can't afford to pay someone to help?"; "who will make sure their bills are paid, house is clean, and healthy meals are available?" These questions and more are answered and will continue to be with upcoming episodes. See the link below for more information on the funded services available in Ontario.Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)https://www.dsontario.ca/funded-servicesIf your child is 16 or over, register now!How to access services:https://www.dsontario.ca/how-to-access-servicesMusic: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Welcome to Well Balanced Life with Grace and Mel! Join Gracie and Melanie as they share their thoughts on adulthood. Gracie talks about her worries about moving out but she also can't wait for the freedom of living on her own. Gain a perspective from both Gracie's view and her mom when you listen today! Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)If your child is 16 or over, register now!How to access services:https://www.dsontario.ca/how-to-access-servicesMusic: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Join Melanie as she shares an honest confession about raising a child with exceptionalities. Caregiver burnout happens to all of us and it's important to know you aren't alone.  Please seek help if you need it. Resources:Self-Care Booklet and Information on Caregivers: https://www.caregiversnetworkek.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/255/2018/09/selfcarebooklet.pdfFamily Caregivers - Taking Care of Yourself:https://www.caregiver.org/resource/taking-care-you-self-care-family-caregivers/The Ontario Caregiver Organization:https://ontariocaregiver.ca/helpline/#who-can-use-helplineOnline Webinars for Self-Care, Emotional Regulation, Healthy Relationships:https://cfssc.ca/mindself/Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

On today's episode, Gracie gives an update on her Christmas holiday in Florida, hitting a black bear in West Virginia on the way, starting a new (and her last) semester at College, and the anxiety this has all brought. Thank you for being on this journey with us! Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Today's episode is all about the busyness of the holidays! Anxiety of transitioning from school to home for the holidays, large crowds, lights, smells and more! Join Grace and Mel as they share their lived experiences together. Walt Disney Disability Access Service (DAS)https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/guest-services/disability-access-service/register/Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

The plan was to discuss invisible disabilities but we often get sidetracked! Enjoy this episode with humour from Gracie, reflecting on some "mistakes", whisper skills, a "grumpy" bus driver, Halloween meanies and a grudge list. Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Today's episode took a turn from what was originally planned. After seeing Gracie's bank statement and noticing the amount she was spending on fast food, sweet drinks, and snacks, (again), a conversation was recorded to share with you. Aaron and Grandma Cathy came part way through, so you'll get to hear what they had to offer to the conversation as well. Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Hello! Welcome to Well Balanced Life with Grace and Mel. Today Melanie shares some memories of Thanksgivings in the past and reminders to be kind to yourself. Melanie also shares information for our extended families to help with a better understanding of how they too can be supportive. Living life with autism can be beautiful and challenging at the same time. This weekend especially, Melanie is grateful for this community. Happy Thanksgiving to you!Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Join Grace and Mel as they share some recent stress and worries, and definitely some happy thoughts and excitement, all while Gracie tries to explain how her thinking process works! The worries can take over, often causing Gracie to constantly have conversations and stressful statements in her mind. If you need support, send us a message on our facebook page or email at wellbalancedlife@rogers.comMusic: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Melanie shares some strategies on making the first week of school as successful as possible. These strategies take you back to the basics! Simple, quick ways to provide a bit more control in an uncontrollable environment. There will be lots of changes, experiences, and unknowns, so let's make it as comfortable and safe as possible for our kids and students. Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Grace REALLY wants to move out and into residence, but Melanie doesn't think she's quite ready. Join them as they talk about the reasons for staying at home a little longer, and hear Gracie's desire to be like her siblings, but also feels hesitant to leave her mom. Grace wants you to know, she's not actually moving out just yet!!Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Welcome to Well Balanced Life! Join Grace and Mel as they talk about going back to school. Fears, excitement, and everything in between! Blog website:https://wellbalancedlife.ca/Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Part 2 on friendships is here! Listen to part 1 first if you haven't already where Gracie shared a story of her and her best friend going their separate ways. Part 2 is a continuation of past and present experiences and feelings. Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Join Gracie as she tells Melanie about her experience at camp of losing her best friend of 7 years. Having autism or another developmental disability can make keeping friends a challenge. Grace unfortunately experienced this once again and wanted to explain her side of what happened. Stay tuned for part two!Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Join Grace and Mel as they share some recent losses and how they are handling their grief. If you are struggling with loss and grief, please see the links below for support. Some of these are for Simcoe County area in Ontario, but a google search in your location for grief counselling should offer you the support you need. We are thinking of you.Grief and Loss SupportHospice Simcoe:https://hospicesimcoe.ca/community-programs/grief-and-bereavement-support/Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County:https://cfssc.ca/services/individual-counselling/individual-grief/The Canadian Mental Health Association:https://cmha.ca/brochure/grieving/The Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario:https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/understanding-and-coping-with-loss-and-grief/Bereaved Families of Ontario - Please watch the video and see the 'Resources' section. https://bereavedfamilies.net/Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Join Gracie and Mel while they talk about sex, consent, setting boundaries, and more! It is very important to be clear about what is okay and what is not. All of our children and youth are developing at their own rate, so use your own judgement as to how much to teach and share. But the topics of consent and boundaries are crucial in keeping our kids and others safe. Resources:https://researchautism.org/self-advocates/sex-ed-for-self-advocates/#:~:text=Welcome%20to%20Sex%20Ed%20for,starting%20point%20to%20change%20that.https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/teachers/grade/differing-abilities/https://ieautism.org/romantic-relationships/Social Stories:https://asdnext.org/social/page/2/https://paautism.org/resource/relationships-social-story/Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Join Grace and Mel as they give an update on the past couple of weeks leading up to Gracie going to overnight camp! Lots of anxiety and lots of excitement!! Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!

Today's episode was to be about emotions. Gracie's curiosity and love of observing people's emotions. We did veer off topic a bit, but it was fun nonetheless! Email: wellbalancedlife@rogers.comMusic: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover art photo by Sharon Light PhotographyThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!