Spin boards are, as a rule, not very durable.  This, combined with my desire NOT to hang a giant swing in my living room prompted my engineer father to redesign the spin board.  He identified the problem with the floor ones instantly, saying “it’s the bearings; they’re terrible.”  A week later, I had the object pictured above in my living room.

It has been such a HUGE blessing to us to have that board, that I decided to share the idea with the SPD community.    What my father did, essentially, that is different, is that he used something he called a “trailer bearing” as the heart of the turning part of the board.  This allows the board to spin EFFORTLESSLY (and, caution to all…very very very very very fast, so supervise like crazy if you decide to make one).  My 100+ pound creature has not harmed it, not even a little, and we’ve used it since June of last year. …continue reading

I grew up on my parents hobby farm. They have kept pure bred, pedigreed Dairy Goats for many many years (I think my mum got her first one when she was about 10 or 12). At one stage they ran a commercial dairy, but now just keep them for pleasure, show them occasionally and sell off the excess to other breeders. I had often heard about the use of animals in different therapies designed to help people suffering various conditions, and have now witnessed the benefits first hand.

Ever since A was a baby we have visited as often as we could, as he really enjoyed seeing all the animals. They also run a few cows and chickens and have 3 very affectionate dogs. When A was about 3 I took him and his little brother for a visit for a few days. Their “farm routine” usually involves waking up, having a coffee – well, coffee for Gran, Pa and Mummy and Milo for them – then down to do the morning milking and feeding. A is always super keen to help, and as he has gotten older and can follow simple directions, is actually helpful to mum and dad. …continue reading