The Doctor's House

This week, Andrew and I had a little 'stay-cation', meaning we took the week off work and enjoyed some time relaxing close to home.

We spent a night at The Doctor's House Inn & Spa in Green's Harbour, and as their website promises, it is "Just an hour from St. John's, and a million miles from anywhere."

A History of The Doctor's House
from  http://doctorshousenewfoundland.com/

The Doctor’s House Inn & Spa began more than half a century ago by a young Irish couple with big dreams and an extraordinary vision.

Dr. Charlie Boddie worked as a Doctor of Psychiatry at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary in St. John’s and built his country sanctuary bit by bit over several decades. He found joy and solace in “sculpting” the place, one of the many highlights being the house’s tower, where he loved to look out at the moon reflecting on the bay.

Mary Boddie was a gentle woman with a soft spot for animals, especially the Newfoundland Pony. She had an exquisite hand for gardening. This is obvious when exploring the grounds, each flower, tree and bush neatly placed. Not only has she created an oasis, she has built a sanctuary for poets, artists and wanderers, and the ultimate romantic escape.

For close to 50 years this beautiful Tudor-style mansion was ‘under construction’ while the doctor, his wife and family lived in a tiny section of it. Outside, they created beautiful gardens and stunning landscaping including a large number of maple trees and many flowering trees and shrubs that Newfoundland had never seen before. They also added several barns, chicken coops and outbuildings, and had Newfoundland ponies, cows, sheep, hens, and several different kinds of birds roaming the property.

Out of their dream, their story, came Newfoundland’s hidden jewel: The Doctor’s House Inn & Spa. A luxury retreat situated on over 100 acres, between the trees and the ocean’s edge, just an hour from St. John’s.

Needless to say, we had the BEST time! We lucked out with the weather and had two incredibly beautiful days. We enjoyed our time at The Doctor's House immensely. I just love the history of the place, and the gardens are spectacular. I loved that there were so many animals on the grounds. They have four Newfoundland Ponies, several goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, and we were awakened in the morning by a "cock-a-doodle-doo" (and I didn't even mind!).

Dining at The Doctor's House is fantastic as well. Seasonal foods are made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients and produce from their own on-site greenhouses. For dinner, we had a multi-course meal:
Andrew had Minestrone with Spring Garden Bounty: Peas & Favas, Romano Beans, Lime and Espelette.
I had Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Cured Egg Yolk, Cranberry and Pickled Anchovy.
We both had Herb Crusted Newfoundland Cod with Green Pea Risotto, Saffron & Leek Sauce and Apple Gastrique.
For dessert, I had Dark Chocolate Marquise with NL Sea Salt and Citrus Creme Fraiche.
Andrew had Homemade Sour Cream Donuts with Screech Caramel and Thyme.

I would highly recommend The Doctor's House for a unique, luxury getaway. Connecting with nature is good for your overall health and emotional well-being, and we need to do more of that. It's amazing what a relaxing night away from home can do to lift your spirits, and The Doctor's House offers the perfect escape. Whenever we have the chance to get away, I always come back with a fresh perspective on things. The peace and quiet and the simplicity of the surroundings allows for some serious thought and appreciation of life, family, and the opportunity to create meaningful moments. It's just what the Doctor ordered!

Live Life the Koolway!

If you live in Newfoundland and Labrador, then I don't have to tell you about the weather. I know you are tired of hearing about it, sick of talking about it, and just plain fed up with the rain, drizzle and fog. Our Winters typically last between six to seven months, but this year has been exceptionally bad. It is almost August, and we have yet to see Summer.

Newfoundlanders are tough people, and though we love our province, we don't live here for the weather. This year, our cold temperatures have made national and international headlines, and they've certainly got people talking. Things got serious near the end of July, when the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary issued an official media release for a "Missing Season: Summer", and shortly after issuing the release, they arrested our local weatherman! - See the whole, hilarious story HERE

While everyone seems to be focused on the cold, I thought it only fitting to introduce a company that has created a line of winter clothing (coats, blankets, hats, mitts, boots and accessories) tailored to the needs of people who use wheelchairs!

Koolway Sports designs and manufactures outerwear for people with or without disabilities, enabling them to achieve their maximum level of independence in all aspects of life. With a focus set on providing comfortable warmth for the wearer and easy use for the caregiver, Koolway's unique designs are sure to be the right fit for your special needs.

Koolway has a mission to provide products that are warm, accessible, fashionable and comfortable for individuals who need to use a wheelchair. With their experience in technology and design, they have been able to create products vastly superior to other solutions, making weather not so much of an issue for wheelchair users.

Take a look at their unique product line at www.koolwaysports.com

For both individuals and their caregivers, a Koolway Sports Koat helps to maintain quality of living for people in motion. On initial appearance, the Koolway Sports coat looks like a high-end outdoor jacket, but closer inspection reveals exceptionally clever details for our clients. The coat features include the Koolway Sports half-back, high zippered collar, side zippers from the cuffs to the bottom of the side seam for easy accessibility, shoulder openings to accommodate contoured chair straps, media pocket, Kangaroo pouch security pocket, detachable hood, and special openings for g-tubes.

KoolKapes were designed for the individual who needs a water resistant garment for the quick dash to the car, or for that short ride between covered areas. This is the ideal piece to throw on over an outfit when heading to school or to appointments. We have expanded this product to accommodate the Scooter user - the KoolKape protects the front driving controls and the back parcel basket, keeping the individual and everything else dry from the elements.

KoolBoots are specifically designed as a new alternative for cumbersome footwear. KoolBoots may be worn with or without additional footwear for protection of all weather related elements. KoolBoots are uniquely designed with a back zipper for easy access and to accommodate those clients with AFOs.

Koolway Sports accessories complete the outerwear line with a variety of hats, a scarf with pockets, and newly designed thumbless mittens. 

Stay tuned for photos of Brennen in his new Winter KoolKoat and blanket! I am certainly not wishing for Winter, but I am looking forward to being able to enjoy the outdoors with my family, rather than avoiding it because the challenge of getting Brennen dressed for the cold is such an ordeal.

Please let me know if you have questions about any of these products, or if you need help with sizing. Each piece is custom-made to fit each individual, and all materials are made right here in Canada. Right now, get 5% off your purchase using coupon code: DW-BTS15 until September 30th!

I am thrilled to be representing the Koolway Sports brand here in Newfoundland and Labrador:

 "Where the weather is shit, but the people are amazing!" (quote from a Buzzfeed article!)

Move for Inclusion

Nick Foley is the creator of an organization called Celebrate the Hero, an initiative that motivates and empowers people of all ages to make a difference by propagating good, through action. Nick and his team design anti-bullying and self-esteem programs for students, and they facilitate presentations at schools in their hometown of Belleville, Ontario.

Nick says, “The program is based on celebrating the good things that people do. We go in and facilitate a presentation on choices, getting the most of your life and not being afraid to be yourself. Instead of saying 'don't do this and don't do that', we celebrate all the great things that people are doing in the hopes of encouraging people to propagate more good.”

A couple of years ago, Nick's family life changed. His daughter, Brynn was born on September 10^th 2012, and shortly after diagnosed with Down syndrome.

“Four days after she was born, I was on a business trip and I heard some awful language describing people with what society views as disabilities. I realized in that moment, I had to do something.” Nick said.

Already having the platform of Celebrate the Hero, Nick focused his efforts to create Move for Inclusion - an organization that will support inclusion initiatives, non-profits and charities nationwide. Move For Inclusion encourages everyone to get active and understand the importance of inclusion and acceptance for all individuals.

With a clear understanding of the challenges people with exceptionalities face, Nick and his team are on a mission to improve the world by encouraging inclusion and acceptance of all people without bias. “We don't use the term disability, we use the term exceptionality,” he said. “It's a much more inclusive word.”

To help launch Move for Inclusion, Nick completed a nationwide fundraising effort in which he rode from Victoria, B.C to St. John’s, NL on a bicycle over the course of 3 months. Nick started his ride on April 22nd, and traveled across the country, ending right here in St. John's on Saturday, July 25th.

I was excited to meet up with Nick and his beautiful family at the Terry Fox Mile Zero Memorial Site, where Terry first dipped his artificial leg into St. John's Harbour in 1980, beginning his own journey across Canada.

Nick, you've done an incredible thing. Not only bicycling across the country (Hell, I wouldn't get from here to Mount Pearl without busting a hip), but visiting so many communities, promoting inclusion and acceptance and sharing your positive message along the way. You took on a tremendous task, and one that is to be commended. Not everyone can do what you did, but your journey should make each of us think about things that we can do within our communities. Speak up, spread awareness, shout the fact that different is beautiful. Voices are powerful, and people are listening.

Inclusion should be happening naturally, but as you discovered yourself, not everyone is as accepting as we would like to think.

This little boy has brought so much joy to our lives. He has changed us. Opened our eyes and our hearts to the value of uniqueness, and so we join you in wanting to change the world into a place that sees the beauty and potential of all individuals.

Inclusion will continue to happen, but not without our support and demand for it.

Here's where I need you guys! Nick will be completing his ride tomorrow, July 26th at Cape Spear - the most easterly point in North America. He will arrive there around noon. (Go to www.moveforinclusion.com and hit the "Follow Nick" button. You will be able to see his exact location in real time on the tracker.)

I would love to have a group of supporters there to welcome him and congratulate him on his efforts. So.. if you know Brennen and I, if you know someone with a disability, if you want to promote inclusion and acceptance, please join us! I know it's short notice, but this is really important! We would love to see some familiar faces!

I will update this post with photos after the event tomorrow!

*Update* Nick has completed his ride across Canada!! 

Thanks so much to all of you who joined us at Cape Spear today! It was cold and drizzly, but our spirits were high! Nick completed his 'Ride for Inclusion' at the most easterly point in North America, and though his ride is over, the journey has just begun. I am thrilled to have connected with Nick, and am excited to see how we can work together in the future to create awareness and promote inclusion for all individuals!

Visit http://moveforinclusion.com/ for more information, and stay tuned for details about a documentary film that will be coming out next year about Move for Inclusion and Nick's Ride for Inclusion.