General Advice – Alayon Inspiration

What am I doing?

Have you ever asked yourself that question? Sometimes it is a reflextion of what you are currently working on. Other times it is emotional or psychological.

I found myself asking this question frequently while holding my head in November at work. Somehow my health was starting to fail again and what I normally did had become increasing more difficult. I started working through lunch to stay on top of my daily duties. I started 24 hour oxygen in November.

December was a short month for school. But, again, I found myself once again asking the same question, but at home. I had to start evaluating where I was in standing with the transplant process and/or retirement. I had a virtual appointment with a Dr. from Mayo clinic in Jacksonville for January. I just needed to make it until then to make a decision. (Boy was I wrong.)

January came and went with a promise of being evaluated for a new set of lungs. I still found myself holding my head a work asking myself “What am I doing? What am I really doing?” At the end of the month, my oxygen tanked and I couldn’t get it to come above 75 and my feet were severly swollen. I left work early and went to ER. I was immediately transfered to ICU. I had thrown another pulmonary embolism (actually more than one). My anti-coagulant had not done its job.

February started me out in ICU and missing FTE at work. That is the week the state looks at all transactions, attendance, meetings, etc. to get funding for the schools.I returned to work using a cane and asking the OT at work how to use it and a walker. A promise of spending spring break in Jacksonville at Mayo was being scheduled.

March was hard to get through. Spent spring break being tortured by Mayo Clinic to see if I qualified for a double lung transplant. Came home in a wrist brace with tons of bruises along with exhaustion. No rest for the weary. I was blessed with a surprise of two wonderful co-workers who stayed in the same hotel with us and helped us to survive that week. I couldn’t have made it without them.

April was full of hope, yet I still found myself questioning as to whether I had done the right thing by returning to work after being hospitalized in February. Just in case, I started the disability retirement packet to have ready.

I was informed that I did not qualify at the beginning of May for the transplant. I was too small, not enough psycho social support and Esophageal dysphagia would cause too many problems. Bottom line….I was too sick to survive the surgery. I filed for disability retirement, spoke to the principal about retiring, working remotely twice a week again and stopped driving completely. At the end of May I ended up in the hospital with pnuemonia.

Getting to the end of the school year was a challenge. I made it.

It was nice to be recognized. I am no longer asking myself what I am doing. I am doing what i need to be doing. Thanking God for every second He has given me each day.

My Tips for surviving being Critically Ill

I have been helping several people at my place of employment with their own medical needs. I am pleased to be able to guide them to solutions with a my personal experience and a quick Google search for their specific need. I wanted to take the time to include some tips by my Tyvaso nurse advisor and me.

If using oxygen – small kit with chloraseptic throat spray, lozenges, small pack of wipes and saline nasal spray – oxygen and some nasal sprays are very drying, even on the throat. This kit also helps those using inhaled medications. I have a kit like this at work and my friend’s house.

Tyvaso users- Electric hot water kettle. – use one that heats quickly. while brushing teeth, heat water and make a cup of tea. Drink warm with sugar or honey just after inhalation treatment to soothe throat and help keep BP normalized.

Mio lemonade/Lemon Juice – I try to drink at least one up of some form of lemonade to cut the mucus in my throat.

4 – 6 oz grape (purple) juice. Well, this is to help with depression, sleep and blood pressure. It also keeps your pipes going. Some medications are drying to the whole body. The purple one has the best benefits.

Herbal teas – this has become hard. Because of the medications that are being taken, I have to avoid certain herbs and fruit. I have found that I really like Market Fresh from English tea store. It has bits of everything in it.

Set up your Tyvaso supplies before you go to bed, this helps cut down on the feeling of time wasted. I usually have my round filters, medication ampule and plastic parts all in the same area.

Put your compression socks on within 30 minutes of getting up. The compression earlier in the morning helps with emotional stability (like a Thunder shirt for a dog) and keeps the swelling down a little bit better.

Have a back up set of medication in various places. I have one with my wallet, a week supply at a friend’s house that I stay with frequently, my purse, my oxygen backpack, and even in my pocket.

If you need to carry a rescue inhaler, make sure to take the time to invest in uniforms(scrubs). I love the pockets. You can also put your oximeter and a days worth of medication in your pockets.

Purchase a finger oximeter. Put that in your pocket along with the rescue inhaler and a lip balm.

Sleep – This can be most elusive due to the stress of being sick and medication side effects. CBD products do help. My doctor has stated that she is all for the CBD products as long as it is not “inhaled” or has the THC. So, get the one without the T. Buy a reputable brand. Do your research. I found that I like the products from CBD Distillery. They have been verified and I have used the sleep products for months. CBD is also good for inflammation. I do avoid melatonin. It can cause vivid exhausting dreams defeating the purpose of taking it.

If you experience GERD or respiratory issues, invest in a wedge for your bed. If you have a bed that adjusts up automatically, then this is not for you. Try to get a 30 degree incline.

If you can, invest in a grounding sheet for your bed. This only helps if you have a fair amount of skin exposed while you sleep. If you wear a full set of pajamas to bed, this would not be a good investment. There are other grounding products available. I also have a grounding yoga mat. Amazon has various grounding sheets and Earthing.com is where I normally buy my grounding products. I have found that this simple product helps with sleeping and arthritus pain.

Stay hydrated – nothing like stating the obvious. But it is easy to lose track of time and forget to drink liquids.

Invest in extra chargers – What do I mean? Well, I have a portable oxygen system. I have car charger along with the normal charger. I have taken the time to have a charger at work and one at my friend’s house. That way I never have to panic that I might run out of air because my battery is running low. The same thing goes for other medical equipment.

With regards to medical equipment, that is a financial thing you need to discuss with your family. I have purchased a back up nebulizer and oximeter that I keep at friend’s house that I spend time there frequently.

Popsicles- What? Why? Well, I have found that popsicles are the only thing that help with medication induced hot flashes. There is actually several articles out on the web regarding this. I found that I like the ones made from whole fruit.

Watermelon- This has been my miracle cure for leg cramps. It hydrates, provides fiber and tastes great. I found that one serving a day is all that is needed. For some reason, it works better than a banana each day.

Most of all, breathe, breathe, breathe. I am always being reminded to stop and take time for myself. I still push myself too hard to serve others.

I hope this has been helpful for you. May God guide you to the right health care team.

Charge it to the Game

Do you theme your years? I know. What do I mean?

Well, I like to have song of the year or a theme that I can use during the year. So, with the help of a friend, we came up with two songs for me to use and a theme.

Songs: Let it Go from Frozen

Shake it Off from Taylor Swift

Theme: Charge it to the Game

One would think after two years of Covid that people would be able to return to some type of normal. I want to tell you now that there is no normal anymore. I don’t care what the politicians say. Covid, inflation, the Great Resignation or whatever, things have not and will not ever return to where they were before Covid. Too much has happened.

So, why the theme and songs. The Great Resignation has cause a severe employment deficit where I work in addition to those that are of retirement age. Now, this was warned several years ago because baby boomers are now of retiring age. They held the majority of the jobs. Because of this deficit, all the non-instructional staff are being asked to assist with duties that they normally would not be involved with.

I was at first hesitant. But, then you think about the person you are refusing to assist. Is it really about the job? or helping them? I decided it was about helping that other co-worker than standing my ground. Does that mean I am whimp? Maybe I am in some people’s eyes.

It has been amazing at just how mean other people can be. I have never been yelled at so much in my life as this last year. The worst part, is that I am unable to provide answers to these people’s issues. Here comes the theme part:

So, I “Charge it to the Game”. Meaning that life is game and I have to learn to deal with it. At some point, there has to be a swing to the other way with regards to people being mean and the employment situation.

When I am feeling agitated, I try to remind myself to Let it Go or Shake it Off. It depends on the musical mood I am in. This is the only way I (and others) are going to be able to get through this year.

May the New Year coming up bring New Joys to all of us who are struggling.

Staying Motived – sometimes it’s hard

I had a very productive summer. I was able to finish my morning coffee while it was hot, have time to read my Bible, crochet for bit, play with Daisy and then do several research projects for a friend of mine. I called this morning routine my positive energy time. It really helped me stay positive since the Saharan dust kept me inside most of the summer.

Now that I have returned to work, finding this positive energy time is hard. Very hard. So, I have decided to focus on a simple knitting project than the crochet blanket. I still read my Bible in the morning. I have adjusted my quiet time to when I get home (sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t).

I have positive affirmation cards at work that I pick one from each morning. Then I make the next four people who come in do the same thing. Everyone gets a kick out of it and are always amazed that the affirmation is meant just for them. The cards then go back in the deck for another day. I also play happiness vibes or focus music (spa music) from YouTube. Many of these are 3 to 11 hours long. Here is one of my favorites https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a268H4ax44U&list=PL8ONXJWAdtO3Y7X2x8JvPLKNTDG8tAE0S&index=1&t=2517s

As for the cup of coffee, it is still drank hot at home, just not leisurely. Daisy finds a way to fit in play time with me after dinner.

Staying positive has become harder. Work has been stressful and negative. More negative than usual. But, I remind myself that this is temporary.

One thing that I do on the way to work now is focus on seeing a tree. It is a really tall tree next to railroad tracks that I pass every day. I am always at the stop light across from it. I look and thank God for it. It has stood the all the winds and storms, yet stands tall and sways gently in the wind. I ask God what I need to learn from this tree. I immediately remind myself to stay positive and consistent like the tree. I thank God for it again.

The idea is that to be flexible. Adjust your positive energy time fit into the day. I have had to break my 2 hour positive morning energy time to various breaks during the day and evening.

Some days, it just doesn’t happen. I can definitely tell. My mindset is not where it should be. Even just knitting for 5 minutes helps reset my brain back to where I am feeling more positive.

God is the ultimate positive energizer. Take the time to connect with Him. He is always available. His Word is available for free online, Kindle and various podcasts, and other websites. Psalms is always calming. Better yet, look at God’s creations around you. Really take a minute and look at a flower, tree or lizard more closely. What is God trying to tell you through that observation. You might just find a smile on your face.

May God fill you with a positive mindset.

IBS and Auto Immune Problems

A lot of my friends have been diagnosed with IBS. They don’t always share whether it is the one with diarrhea or constipation. But, they know that I understand what they are going through and have come to me for advice on how to eat.

The first thing that runs through my mind is….if you have IBS, the probability that you have another immunity issue is pretty high. (At least I think so.)

I am not a doctor or dietician. I can only share what has helped me and maybe it will help others.

Honestly, I never even considered that my digestive issues were IBS until the gastroenterologist told me to switch to a Low FODMAP diet. When I did the research, (Key word- RESEARCH) I then discovered that this recommendation is for those with IBS. I knew I had GERD and Esophageal Dysphasia. Never even occurred to think that the morning gas, pain and trots were IBS. When I started cross referencing my medications with my symptoms and other websites (Sjogrens, Lupus and EverydayHealth) it became clear that I suffer from this. It is not uncommon to have several other auto immune issues when you have one. One chart that I found in researching Sjogren’s shows that you will have on the average of five other health conditions. Those in the top ranking to go along with Sjogren’s are GERD, Raynaud’s, sinusitis, Hypertension and IBS. I got a different combo platter than those specifically. I did get the GERD and IBS. Thankfully, I have not experienced the others.

I usually refer them to Whole 30 and Everydayhealth websites. Both are great. I love Everydayhealth because it sends you relevant emails according to what you subscribe for. I get the RA updates. Everydayhealth recently had an article on eating vegan and its benefits for RA. Whole 30 has great resource shopping lists that you can use to help hone your dietary needs.

I started my food restrictions by removing all gluten, wheat, rye, barley and then all grains. I then moved to trying plant based. That did not work out since I am sensitive to soy. One of my biggest helps was the research Lupus and Sjogrens foundations have done and published.

I was gifted “Healing Arthritis” by Susan Blum, M.D., M.P.H. Great book. It helped me refine my food selection and vitamin supplements even more. That led me more to a Paleo type of diet bordering on Keto.

It has been in the last year that the gastroenterologist suggested a Low FODMAP diet. I once again turned to Whole 30 to get a good list of suggested foods. What is FODMAP? Well, I had to look it up. Bottom line, don’t eat anything that can cause gas or ferment in your stomach.

What happened then? Well, I crossed off all my food allergies, then all the night shades and then the red lined (avoidance foods) from that list. There wasn’t much left. I progressed down to 2 main meals and snack. Eating a high protein breakfast, high protein lunch and a snack for dinner. Dr. said to eat light and have all food finished 3 hours before bedtime, so small dinner or snack for my evening meal worked great.

Then IT happened…..What would that be? I started noticing my clothes were getting larger. I panicked and contacted my endocrinologist and the gastroenterologist. One was concerned, the other not. I was told that between my medications being managed effectively and changing my food selection, my body was finding a new balance. (WOO HOO!)

I will be honest. I didn’t do the changes to lose weight. I did them to get rid of the pain. (The shoulder pain, hip pain, all over body pain, stomach pain, colon pain, back pain and any other pain.) Going down another dress size is wonderful.

Please, please, please work with your doctor on your food selections for your conditions. You will need to make sure that with vitamin supplements you will have a balance. Blood work needs to be monitored carefully to make sure that there are no deficits. (I suffer from several deficits that require mandatory vitamin supplementation.)

Here is a fun treat….Chef Fran cooking my version of a safe dinner. Enjoy.

God will guide on this journey, if you let Him.

Christmas Suggestions

It is that time of year when we turn to look at our loved ones and wonder…what should I get them for Christmas? If they suffer from auto-immune disorders, I strongly suggest you get them something useful and thoughtful. Here are a few of my favorites that I have bought for myself or they were bought for me.

Hip Pain- ABCO sport knee support pillow. It has a gel core that keeps your legs cool while separating your knees while laying on your side. It helps keep the knees apart and aligns the hips. Aligned hips mean less pain.

Body aches – Mighty Bliss Heating pad. It comes in a couple of sizes. It has a wonderful soft covering and is long enough to go down your whole back. The heating is timed, so if you over enjoy, you don’t have to worry about being cooked.

Gift Baskets – Really take the time to observe what is used most often. Better, yet, ask them what items you could buy them at the drug store to help. Nothing says you care than a gift basket of your favorite over the counter pain killers, arthritis creams, vitamins, candy, snacks, bath bombs and holiday cheer.

Tea or Coffee? – Honestly, I will take both. If your favorite person loves something in particular, get that. Warm drinks are encouraged to facilitate with swallowing. Honey is great in either coffee or tea and assists with swallowing problems.

Shoes – This is something a little more difficult to do, but is doable. I just recently discovered Vionic orthopedic shoes. Fashionable. A bit on the expensive side. I bought one set for myself. I loved them immediately. The right shoe helps a lot with pain that can be in the legs, knees and even the back. A friend noticed them and offered to buy me a second pair for Christmas. Done deal. Observe their favorite shoes, do the research and take the initiative. If they are too expensive, give cash and tell them it is a down payment for a new pair.

Arthritic hands – Gloves are always welcome with colder weather. Paraffin wax dip machines are a great gift also. The heated wax does wonders for stiff achy hands. Make sure to include enough wax to fill it. The wax does come scented, if they like that.

Entertainment – Adult Coloring books and a set of markers are always fun. Maybe your friend knits or does some other craft. Supplies for the crafts are always welcome. Jigsaw puzzles can be a nice distraction and helps keep the brain sharp.

Fur baby- If your loved one has a pet, a gift for the pet is always appreciated. Take the time to find out if the pet is a picky eater. Getting dog treats that the dog won’t eat is a waste.

I am sure you can think of other things. If you are unsure, ask. If we don’t want anything, respect that. Make a donation in their honor to their favorite charity of whatever foundation may be doing research about their auto immune issue.

Either way, God will guide you if you ask him.

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Positive Thinking – Setting Goals

I am happy to say that I woke up this morning. It was a good day. Minimal coughing, only a few joints ached and no fatigue.

I have finished a positive thinking course that was gifted to me for my birthday this past year. It has taken me 4 months. But, it is complete. What does that have to do with anything? Well…almost everything.

I have spent the last few years struggling with everything (from my minds eye). Disabled mentally ill husband, mentally ill child, finances, expensive prescriptions, mean medical supply companies, aches, pains, coughing, choking, car problems and on it goes. Some of it you know from my previous posts.

This course is about being positive; putting positive thoughts into the air and reaping their benefits. I always thought I was positive until I took this course. Looking back over the last few years, I believe I was positive somewhat; but more determined to survive than anything else.

This course reminded me to be grateful. I have been keeping a grateful journal for over 4 months now. Each day I write 5 things I am grateful for shortly after getting up in the morning. It can be anything from your eyes, yarn, medications, tile, grout, wheels, tires, gas, etc. Anything and everything can be included. I do not limit myself. I have even been grateful for some yucky things like mosquitos. God made everything. We should be thankful for it all. I have even caught myself writing 6 things instead of 5.

Prayer needs to be constant and specific. God wants to give us our desires. (Sometimes He says NO.)

This course taught me to speak more positive. Avoid negative talk. It hurts you and those around you. It even explained to me why I shutdown after a batch of uncontrolled negativity (whether from myself, family or work). It has helped me to understand why I love crafts and volunteering so much. Due to the positivity influence, I have adjusted the atmosphere in my office to be more calming.

I started focusing on a short term goal and a couple of long term goals with deadlines. Happily, the short term goal has already been met. Not by my deadline, but shortly thereafter by God. I couldn’t have asked for anything nicer.

So, stop, take a few minutes of your day and …..

Write a few things daily you are grateful for, no matter how silly.
Set goals in writing, be specific and have deadlines.
1. Be willing to restructure goals if deadlines are not met. Maybe God is saying “Not Yet” or “No” to the goal.
2. Have a couple Goals for each area of your life; career, health, finances, relationships, personal
Think about how you think, speak and react. Try to change it to be more uplifting.
Take the time to recharge yourself with positive energy by praying, meditating on God’s word, listening to beautiful music, work on a craft/hobby or just take a nap.

My next long term goal is to take a trip to Hawaii in the next couple of years with my sister.

There is a saying that keeps running around in my head from a previous pastor, “What is the difference between a rut and a grave? 6 Feet.” You can always find a way out of rut if you choose to. A grave is permanent.

Another is from Mary Kay Ash, “You can eat an elephant one bite at a time.”

It is okay to survive. Just remember to live while surviving. Be grateful for all God has given you.

Quick Holiday Review of 2020

Here it is almost Christmas again. Who ever knew that what I started several years ago to protect my health, is now a standard for almost everyone.

Cleaning everything regularly. Not sharing pens. Standing apart from others. Avoid touching others. Cleaning grocery cart handles. Wearing masks to stay safe. (I was wearing one only when pollution count was high, now all the time outside and sometimes inside.) Taking care of yourself. Watching your mental attitude. Getting help for mental problems. Taking vitamins and eating healthy. Stop going to everything to see everyone. Have a pet. Etc.

So, since there isn’t really anything happening this Christmas with me and my family. The best present I have is that all my closest relatives and friends are alive and well. So, there won’t be a big dinner, fancy Christmas tree, lots of presents. Who cares. I am content and have joy in my heart.

I saw a relative go through the Covid 19 layoffs. Came out later with the same job at a better place. I have assisted with refitting a non-profit company. Still working on that. Several friends gained weight due to being at home. I personally lost weight because I was not stress eating.

I learned to turn off social media and news. Disconnecting from negative information is important. Don’t be ignorant about what is going on, but limit your exposure to a specific time amount each day.

I received wonderful news from my team of doctors that I am stable and visits and tests can be cut back to every six months. Again, I followed doctor directions and pursued complimentary therapies.

I have also learned that each day is unique. I have to be flexible with understanding what my body needs to get through each day.

Exercising is personal. I was doing yoga everyday. My strict schedule to pursue this wonderful exercise ended up causing more problems. Be willing to change.

Since I was unable to clean my house by the end of the day, I swapped out yoga for cleaning the house. Yep, that means doing a little bit each day. Gone are the days of having an hour or two to clean everything. It is 10 minutes here, vacuum only this room there, sweep one day, maybe mop half a room another day, etc. By the end of the week, the apartment has been cleaned. It isn’t quite the same as the feeling after you do a blitz on your apartment to make it sparkle. This is what I can do since I can’t afford someone to help. Adjustments made to meet my physical and home needs.

As I have gotten older, so has my fur baby. Had a scare after a spring vaccination. So, vaccinations spread apart a little further with a steriod shot prior to the vaccine. Her eyes are getting a greyer. She startles easier. She still loves her morning walks, but doesn’t care that we can’t walk outside the community anymore. Her food has had to be adjusted to meet her new needs. I am so grateful she has been with me all these years.

I understand the need to make ends meet. Remember to take care of yourself. Be open to receiving help. Work is great, but going to work sick is not.

Take time to know God. He knows you. Read a little bit of the Bible every morning. Pray for those you love and know. Pray for those you don’t know.

This year was a good year even with all the ugly things happening. Next year will be good also, no matter what happens.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May God keep you healthy and safe.

Holiday Fatigue

Holidays are here and I am already tired. How about you?

I have been thinking about what I should say. To be honest, all I can think about is how COVID 19 has made decorating the office very simple. Basic $ store items that can be disposed of in the event of a deep cleaning.

Personally, at home? Well, a friend made me a door decoration of a candy cane. I couldn’t be more proud. I even put it up before Thanksgiving. I have talked about bringing out the Christmas decorations and the tree. But, as I even talk about it, I get tired.

My wallet is empty. Thankfully I started working on handmade Christmas presents last February. Using leftover quilting scraps and yarns from projects, my sister and I were able to make enough for everyone. So, the financial stress has been minimized.

REMEMBER SELF CARE has been on my mind a lot. I almost cancelled my manicure, pedicure and massages this month. Then I thought about the last time I let the self care wane. It cost me twice as much to get myself back into workable/functioning condition.

Let me share with you a few a tips that I plan to employ this holiday season.

Keep all self care appointments. If too expensive, cut back the length of time. For example, change the combo massage to just a reflexology. Change the mani/pedi to just a pedi.
Move doctor appointments around so that you have only one or two for the month of December. Keep Dr. fatigue to minimum.
“NO” is an answer. Covid 19 will keep many things to virtual gatherings. They are still tiring.
Quiet time needs to be incorporated to each day, even if only 5 minutes with the lights off and silence. That means no TV, music or lights. Just be and breathe.
Cook in bulk, then freeze.
Spend more time with your fur baby. Hold them closer to your heart and just breathe. They feel the stress also.
Don’t stress the presents. Re-gift if necessary from last year. Be creative. Give coupons of 10 minutes of unlimited “whining listening”.
Minimize your errands to only one a day in addition to work.
It is okay to stop and rest.
Stay in touch with God. Read your Bible early in the morning to set your day up right. Take time to pray. Take time to listen.

Most of all, remember the reason for the season. Jesus.

No Double Standards to be a Victim

I wanted to take the time to share with something I recently had to experience. I was receiving death threats from a past student. It was frustrating. I knew who it was. I was able to verify the person with a little bit of detective work. I filed a police report after the first death threat. Filed an addendum with the second death threat. I was informed by the police, school resource officer and my supervisors that nothing was going to be done because the young adult was special education. The person continued to call. I got frustrated. I filed another police report. I was continually being told nothing could be done because he was special ed. I refused to allow this double standard because of being “special”. Mr. Cruz from MSD was “special” and look what he did.

Parents have fought for their special education children to have extra rights, yet be treated as normal. Except when they get in trouble. I refuse to allow that to be the excuse for this young adult’s behavior.

Finally after talking to a friend, I was given the guidance to file a restraining order. Now, this takes some preparation. I had to take the recordings of the death threats and transcribe them into a document. Transfer the threats to my computer so that they could be used if the judge allowed the order. Fill out a 3 page form before even going to the court house. I had copies of the police reports.

Next, go the court house and plan to spend 2 to 4 hours to process the request for the order. Go with something to read and a sweater. With Covid, this was even more challenging. You will need the intake form mentioned above and any proof of the threat. It is done through the domestic violence unit. The intake clerk was kind and helped me process everything. The judged signed immediately for the temporary injunction.

Next came the court date done via virtual platform. I had such a nervous stomach. The meeting was done via Zoom. It was scary. I understand why victims refuse to testify. Even though I was not on trial, it was distressing to have to listen all the recordings again in front of those in court in attendance on Zoom.

The judge ordered a permanent injunction be filed. The young adult is not allowed to call, email, social media or show up in person at my home, work and any future home.

I received the permanent order in the mail. I made a copy of the first page and keep it on me. Just in case.

What has this done besides inconvenience me? It gives me peace of mind. It was a hassle, a fight for justice, and even scary.

I am sharing this because you don’t have to put up with being a victim because the rest of the world thinks that person is protected. There are laws. Even those with special issues have to follow them. Parents, please be strong with your children. Do not allow bad behavior “just because they are special”.