Jacob & Larry — living life on their own terms.

About Jacob & Larry

Jacob is a full-time family caregiver and godson to Larry. What began as a temporary arrangement quickly became a lifelong commitment — and one of the most remarkable caregiving stories we have ever encountered. Over the years, Jacob has taken Larry across the United States and overseas to Europe, climbing mountains, exploring castles, and making memories neither of them will ever forget.

He shares their journey on TikTok as @larrys_dream and has an active GoFundMe to help cover the everyday costs of caregiving and adventure.

You were never supposed to be Larry's caregiver. How did that change — and when did you make the decision to commit to him fully?

I was 18, just graduated from Ranken Technical College with my associate's in carpentry. Larry wasn't in the best situation, and the plan was for me to help him get settled until his resources were in place — just an extra hand while I did construction and built my own business. His aid ended up scamming him. Stealing his life savings. She put him on a plane with nothing but a bag of clothes.

When he arrived, we waited days — calling every police department and hospital, because they'd say "we're six hours away… four hours away…" and then nothing. We eventually got most of his belongings back, but figuring out Medicaid, Medicare, and setting up his services took years. Literally years.

About six months in, I realized how hard his life had been — and how much good I could actually do for him. I made a vow. I don't even remember the exact moment, but I was still 19. I promised I'd be with him until the day he passes. I've never regretted it.

How would you describe the bond you and Larry share today compared to when this journey began?

Our bond is deep. We both kind of needed each other when we found each other — and when I started caring for him, he also started caring for me. We like the same food, the same music. Larry used to sneak me a drink at the bar. We both love a little mischief. We hit it off from the very start, and it's only gotten stronger over the years.

Jacob & Larry at Mount Rushmore — one of many landmarks on their road trip across America.

"We both kind of needed each other. He started caring for me right when we met. Our bond has only gotten deeper over the years."

Jacob — Larry's Dream

Out of all the mountains, castles, and road miles — what memory rises to the top for you?

I could give you a hundred and sit in pure joy over every single one. But there was this moment in Yosemite. We decided to climb a mountain — with our rabbit on my back. I'd forgotten to bring drinks for myself. Larry had a few. The rabbit had a little water. I was dragging Larry up that mountain, getting tired, sweaty, dehydrated.

Then we found a sequoia tree — hollowed out, burned out, maybe ten by ten feet on the inside. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. So I pushed Larry inside, set the rabbit down, let her run around freely. I leaned against the tree, just panting. I look up, and a deer had walked right in to the entrance. All four of us just hung out there for a few minutes before we heard people coming.

A few weeks later on that same trip, I walked a marathon on the Vegas strip and found a hundred dollar bill. Last October, our friends Derrick Weisbrod and Shane Wilkinson said they could get Larry backstage — but not me. I'm sitting in the crowd when a friend asks where Larry is. Before I can answer, I look up and there he is on stage at Hillberry Music Festival, holding a guitar, handing it to the lead guitarist of Railroad Earth. Larry dances with a lot of ladies too. That's always a good sight.

What has been the hardest part of balancing caregiving with your own dreams — and how did you push through it?

The hardest challenge has been not having support from friends and family — people thinking I was wasting my life, that I didn't have a career, that I was giving my best years to someone else. It's also been hard in romantic relationships. Not everyone understands that Larry is my priority and nothing is going to change that.

My dream has always been to have a family of my own someday. But I've always wanted to have real experiences, real stories, real knowledge to share with my kids. And that's exactly what I'm getting.

Larry soaking it all in — good people, good vibes, good times.

"I carry Larry onto the bus, not really thinking, and set him down in Rosa Parks' seat. We just hugged and laughed. That moment has only grown on me since."

Jacob — on visiting the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

What's a moment where you looked at Larry — or your life together — and thought: "We did that."

Two come to mind, both from the past year. I had been planning our most recent road trip for over a year — contacting family members, coordinating schedules, mapping everything out. We came through Detroit and stopped at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. They had Rosa Parks' bus. I carried Larry onto the bus without really thinking, and set him down in her seat. We just hugged and laughed. That moment has grown inside me ever since.

And then Larry's 60th birthday party. Maybe 70 people — caregivers, teachers, people who had known him since he was four or five years old, family and friends he hadn't seen in a decade. He danced. He celebrated. We had good food and great people around us. For a 60th birthday, I think that's pretty damn awesome.

Among the giants — Jacob & Larry in the sequoia groves of Yosemite.

On the days that feel heavy — what keeps you grounded and moving forward?

I genuinely believe in love. In respecting the earth, your elders, and children. In trying to understand people, forgive people, and treat people the way you'd want to be treated if you were in their situation.

I would hate to be in a facility with no friends, no family, no sense of community — not even allowed to celebrate. That thought alone keeps me going.

What do you want people to understand about the real, everyday costs of caregiving — and why you've set up a GoFundMe?

It's not as easy as it looks online. Nobody sees the late nights, the accidents, the inaccessible places, the strangers who are rude and unaccommodating. The physical toll is real — I've torn both rotator cuffs. I have three herniated discs in my back, a bad knee, and a bad ankle. Not from caregiving itself, but from hauling Larry up mountains and in and out of castles.

Even with the physical, financial, and mental weight of it — of sometimes going weeks without a real break — it has always been more than worth it. Isn't that what life is about?

At EnhDme, we help family caregivers with tools that make caring easier. What is one item that genuinely makes your life easier?

Simple, but Larry's bibs. Extremely helpful in keeping everything clean and organized. They keep him looking sharp and put-together after a meal — and that matters.

Shop caregiver essentials at EnhDme:

• Adult Bibs & Mealtime Accessories
• Movement Monitors & Alarms
• Transfer Belts & Mobility Aids

What advice would you give someone just starting their caregiving journey — especially someone hoping to help their loved one chase a bucket list?

Protect your peace. Remember that you are also a person who deserves love and to be taken care of. Sometimes we forget that — or we don't have someone doing it for us — so we have to be our own caregiver too.

Think of it like the airplane oxygen mask: you have to care for yourself before you can care for someone else. Because if you're not showing up for yourself — physically and mentally, fully — can you really show up for them? Caring for yourself is what allows you to care for others more completely.

Paris. The Eiffel Tower. Larry & Jacob — proving that the world has no limits.

Connect with Jacob & Larry

Larry's Dream

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About the Author

Kevin Lambing, CDME is the CEO and owner of EnhDme (enhdme.com), a retail DME and home-care hardware distributor operating as a brand of Kevin's Caregiver Network LLC, based in Columbus, Mississippi. A Certified DME Specialist, National Marketing Director veteran in care education, and author of Swipe Right On Care, Kevin is a two-time presenter of the National Caregiver of the Year Award at the Home Care Association of America's annual event.