GRAHAM SIMPLIFIED
One family’s journey toward health, simplicity and hope
Welcome. My name is Craig. This site is dedicated to the story of my family’s attempt to make life livable again after illness and struggles to adapt to neurodiversity. This site isn’t about selling a solution. It’s about documenting what’s real, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what we’re still figuring out. If our story helps you ask a new question, feel less alone or maybe a bit entertained, that’s the goal.
Our Search for Home
Follow our 7,500 mile route across the country as we test environments, learn what affects my symptoms, and search for a place that feels livable again
Symptom Tracking
Tracking symptoms, environmental triggers, and recovery patterns as we travel.
Recent Reflections
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Field Notes #16 – Boston, MA
We spent three full days in the Boston area. The boys and I made the journey one day into the City, which was about a 45 minute drive followed by a 45 minute subway ride (my kids being themselves choose to ride siting on the floor 🤪). Touring the city for a homeschool day we did our best to imagine ourselves walking around in 1775, just as the revolution was beginning.
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Field Notes #15 – Freeport, ME (Near Ocean)
This “What We Did” is going to be formatted a bit differently because we didn’t really go anywhere….and that was a nice change. The reason for our slow down was how great our campground at Wolfe Neck’s Center was.
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Field Notes #14 – Georgetown, ME
The most exciting part of our time in Georgetown was who we were able to spend our time with – my parents!!! They made the long drive from Michigan to Maine to spend four days with us and Meg was even able to take a day off!!
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Field Notes #13 – Inland Freeport, ME
Our time in Freeport was as amazing as we remembered it from our visits over 10 years ago. While I really struggled with intense symptoms we still managed to have a good time with the boys in the area.
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Field Notes #12 – Return to Smuggler’s Notch, VT
Our return trip to the Smuggler’s Notch area of Vermont did not go as we hoped from a symptoms standpoint, but it was still an awesome visit exploring the area again. There was so much we didn’t get to in the first week we were here and it was great to have another week to spend in the area.
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80 Days, 11 Campgrounds: What We’ve Learned So Far
When we left on our year-long RV journey we packed everyone two pairs of athletic shoes and some sandals. We very quickly learned that was not enough to meet the demands of our new lifestyle and how important good shoes are.
Our boys’ flat bottom basketball shoes left them skipping and sliding over exposed rocks every hike and since most hikes in the Northeast are almost nothing but exposed granite, it was a big problem. We were able to order them nice hiking shoes and I have yet to see them choose to wear anything else when we leave the campground.
A Little About Me
Hi, I’m Craig — a dad, husband, and lifelong runner learning to slow down. Eight years ago, I began developing strange, unexplained symptoms that upended my life and eventually led to a diagnosis of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
Now my family and I are simplifying everything — selling our home, homeschooling our kids, and traveling the country in a 32-foot camper to find the environment where I can live with less pain and more peace.
I’m not here to sell a cure or offer easy answers. I’m just sharing what we learn along the way — about health, home, and the courage to start over.
If you’d like to know how this all began, you can read our story:
👉 The Story Behind Graham Simplified
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