The Retreat at John-boy's Place

11/27/2024

A few REVIEWS from guests that have stayed at the house as part of an event!

11/27/2024

Always a good time with music by Fhost Man Ric McNaughton!

The rear view of my small rig...Just kidding, that's my biggest system. Book us and we can shake things up... 😊

11/24/2024

Misty and Cody's beautiful November wedding FUN!
John-boy's Place

10/06/2024

BOOK your stay now for Andalusia's annual Christmas in Candyland!! Moms and kids!! Moms and Dads and kids!! Just the girls!! Perfectly peaceful lake house retreat, but close enough to Candyland to make it fun and easy for all!!

BEST of all - John-boy's Place is completely and verifiably accessible, so bring Grandma and Grandpa along with no worries!! Don't miss the Christmas Parade on Dec. 5, 2024 kicking off the month of merry!

airbnb.com/h/accessible-lakefront-home-in-alabama

08/05/2024

Ok peeps...friends, acquaintances...anyone needing a break and/or a fully accessible space to be, to take Grandma, to take a child in a wheelchair...ALS patients...and fully able bodied families just wanting a place to get away for a few days... Calendar has some GREAT weekends on it that are available!!!

Need a place for an overnight work EVENT, combining team work and fun and maybe a little education?? PLENTY of space at John-boy's Place. We have chairs available for 40+ and no problem with a rainy day. Grilling space, gaming tables, kayak...sleeping space for 14 with additional possibilities. Fully stocked kitchen and cooking set-up.

Whatever you need, I bet we have it!!

John-boy's Place

07/31/2024

Looking for a place to celebrate a wedding or milestone? Maybe a corporate retreat or meeting, with a little fun and games on the side? Team building exercises? Covered space to combat those pesky afternoon thundershowers?? THIS IS IT!

As a bonus, the home is equipped to handle persons living with mobility challenging disabilities, as well, with a BRUNO vertical platform lift, threshold ramps and widened interior doorways.

The Retreat at John-boy's Place - Accessible Venue

07/25/2024

I love what I am doing now, with Windchime Wishes Limited and John-boy's Place, but I do miss this time of year on campus at USA, with excited new students rolling through for orientation and campus events welcoming all back from the summer!!

BUT, what I am doing now is more than just a hobby or a business, and although there are many times that I feel as though I am in this all alone, I know that in spirit, I am joined by so many like-minded individuals and groups. Thank you to all who continue to support this mission of mine.

I've just recently learned that one of my pALS who stayed at the house last fall has passed away in Florida, and she was a super sweet lady who was SO happy to spend time there with her two sons, making those memories. They had actually planned a surprise return trip for her in about 6 weeks, but as ALS does, it called the shots and didn't let that happen. It hurts me to my core that ANYONE has to lose their life to this monster, but it is equally hard when I have a connection to a patient or family. My prayers are with Cheryl Teribury's sons and family at this difficult time. I feel their pain and loss deeply.

Please find a way to donate to ALS research and/or organizations that help those living with ALS... ALS TDI, I AM ALS, Team Gleason, Jerameys Journey MS / ALS Crazy Neurological Stuff, Team Drea Foundation, Racing for ALS, ALS Uncensored, Her ALS Story, and so many more.

07/19/2024

This is true, probably at least half of the time, but there is also a side of ALS where FTD slides into your loved one's body and mind ~ Fronto Temporal Dementia ~ making life with ALS just doubly hard. This was the case with my John P Gafford, and the result was confusion, Pseudo Bulbar Affect (PBA), impulsiveness, restlessness and even anger (all at the wrong times). It's kind of like rolling the dice to see "who" will be present for the day.

ALS is 100% Fatal. ALS is underfunded and in no way a "rare disease". Funding and research can change this.

07/02/2024

airbnb.com/h/accessible-lakefront-home-in-alabama

John-boy's Place

06/30/2024

Friends, I have availability at the lake house in August and September!! A FEW days in July, but NO weekends!!

Paid stays help me accomplish my mission in helping ALS patients and families come to John-boy's Place at reduced or no cost. :)

06/27/2024

airbnb.com/h/accessible-lakefront-home-in-alabama

For those of you new to me, this is my attempt to give back to those living now with ALS. Named after my husband, John Gafford, who passed away from ALS at the age of 61 on May 5, 2021, John-boy's Place is a fully accessible, dedicated vacation space where ALS patients and families can gather to make BIG memories doing the LITTLE things.

Amenities include electric hospital bed, hoyer lift, lift chair, roll-in shower with fully reclining shower chair, widened doorways and a 10 ft Bruno platform lift for access to the main floor. Space is the biggest extra amenity here - *9ft wide covered wrap around porch with views of the lake, woods, bird feeders and more, plus over 2200sf of covered concrete space under the house with TV/Audio, lots of gaming tables, a Cantina Bar and lots of movable seating. By the lake, with the help of Lori Larson Heller, we have added a pavilion over the concrete pad and will soon start on the memorial paver patio and firepit area.

As for beds, we've got a TON: 9 beds, scattered throughout 3 bedrooms, plus two twin size cots ~ easily sleeps 13, but can accommodate up to 16!

The deal: through my nonprofit, Windchime Wishes Limited, I gift one week per month to an ALS patient and family. In addition, I work with Team Gleason on their Gleason Adventures. I will make any combination of arrangements to help other pALS get in, as well as individuals living with other mobility-challenging disabilities. Some folks use the AirBNB site to simply make their own reservation, whereas others contact me to see what we can work out to ease the financial situation. I've done two-for-ones, where people pay for two nights and I give them four, I've had some pay ONLY the cleaning fee of $200, and I am willing to do almost anything to open the home and grounds up for those who have this need.

Donations are always welcome! Birthday fundraisers are a great way to help Windchime Wishes Limited continue in its mission to create memories for pALS and cALS, also! Sponsorships are available, as well, if you would like to pay for a week's stay in someone's name or donate paid caregiver time, 12 hour shifts, for a cALS to truly have some downtime while at the house.

John-boy's Place

04/23/2024

As a Certified Accessible rental home on AirBNB, John-boy's Place brings in a myriad of individuals that need that extra accessibility, not just ALS patients. Having the opportunity to trust that a vacation is adequate for your loved ones needs is a BIG deal to me, and I am so proud that I have been able to create this peaceful and safe space for people living with ALS and other mobility-challenging diseases and conditions.

YOUR rental, as an able-bodied family, helps me manage the process of gifting time here to those who are not in a position to otherwise take a vacation. Please check the site calendar and make your reservations, and help make my mission continue!

John-boy's Place

04/20/2024

Headed out to John-boy's Place to do a little Earth Day work!! Anyone who wants can come join the fun!

04/20/2024

Colorful evenings!

04/19/2024

Lotsa lights!! And one Senior Frog sticking his tongue out!!