Life with Tuberous Sclerosis

This Wednesday Jonathan was convinced, well convinced makes it sound like he didn't want to go and that's not right, he loved the idea of going to visit my work place. This wasn’t his first visit to the place I work, except this is the first time I was there to tour it together with him. 

He arrived around 4pm and I was excited to see him. I went to greet him and introduced him to my employer Robert Jowett. We then proceeded on our tour of Country Meat & Sausage , the processing plant I work at. Jonathan showed no hurry in rushing to his favorite room from his previous visits. He took his time and enjoyed peeking into every room that was presented. The sausage kitchen was first, we noticed hams and sausages hanging on a rack waiting to be put into the smoke house. We then moved onto the cut floor where Jonathan noticed the man cleaning the equipment. Now this was very unJonathan like in my opinion, he rushed over to greet this man by staring into his face, placing his face just inches away. I think it may have surprised the cleaner, but he just smiled right back at Jonathan. I loved his response and explained this was my brother and he was getting a tour of the building.

We then went to the cooler to see the sides of hogs ready to be processed for selling retail or wholesale.

Next is the room were the pigs are gutted, halved and cleaned. This room was also in the process of being cleaned. The floor was littered with pig pieces and the person cleaning was greeted in the same way as the last. Except this time I was a little worried about the safety of Jonathan’s rushing over to greet the man cleaning, as the floor was unsafe to move through so quickly with improper shoe wear. He was a little shocked and surprised by Jonathan’s quick and personal greeting, I noticed he was unsure how to respond and I explained this was my brother and he was just saying hi. It was comical after I realized Jonathan had not slipped and fallen, but arrived at his destination in safety.

Moving along to the next room.... this is Jonathan’s favorite room in the entire building and I thought twice about posting a picture of Jonathan’s view into the container he loves to peer into, but Mom figured it was OK. So here is pre warning … it’s gross, disgusting, stinky(although you need to use your imagination for that online), and, by the way, Jonathan loves those words.

 Don't continue to scroll down if you do not want to view this , but you will miss the rest of the story... so it's your decision.

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This is a picture of the offal's. The waste part of the pigs after slaughter. Jonathan's view point into the container.






 When the fan in this room was turned on, Jonathan's joy increased. He loves to hear the sound of a fan starting up. I would have to say the highlight of the tour would be this room. It's smells and sounds ignited Jonathan's senses.




Then it was off to the barn to see the live pigs.

  






Jonathan’s actions, expressions, and desire to stay longer in each room showed that the tour was greatly appreciated.
 I am thrilled he came to visit me and my work place and we both enjoyed it all.