Into the Wilderness: Story 44 At night, I struggle to sleep. I start my routine, washing and scrubbing my face, layering, vitamin C, snail mucin, hylaraunic acids, retin A and serums across my face. This is as much a way of separating day from night as it is an anti-aging regimen. Each elixir layers meContinue reading “Strings”
Author Archives: Cheryl Wipper
Courthouse Blues, or the Devil Came Up to Jersey
A Surviving Facts Blog In 2025, I’ve had two views of our legal system. One completed earlier this year after a period of back and forth. The other occurred last week- that’s why you haven’t heard from me. My husband and I were sued by a food delivery person who claimed something happened on ourContinue reading “Courthouse Blues, or the Devil Came Up to Jersey”
On the Spectrum-Republished
Into the Wilderness: Story 12 Raising Autism: Survey 101 I have yet to write about ASD, or Autism Spectrum Disorder. That’s because we had yet to make the connection. Girls are less likely than boys to be diagnosed with ASD, even when they manifest typical behaviors. Currently, boys outnumber girls with autism four to oneContinue reading “On the Spectrum-Republished”
The Divide
A Surviving Facts Blog We finally took a much overdue vacation. My husband and I joined dear friends, a couple, to tour the wineries of New York’s Finger Lakes region, about four hours northwest of New York City. The region bursts with fantastic wineries, innovative, excellent restaurants and arts and crafts. We love the coupleContinue reading “The Divide”
The Ridge- REPUBLISHED
Into the Wilderness: Story 6 Our rented SUV was one of the last in the parent caravan. We drove along winding paved roads until we turned off onto dirt pathways, passing white clapboard houses nestled among the hills, weathered with moss, a lone horse, a few sheep hugging dilapidated barns. Then, we turned onto pittedContinue reading “The Ridge- REPUBLISHED”
Happy Birthday- Republished
Into the Wilderness: Story 5 On Catina’s 15th birthday, I gave her a drug test. She walked in the door from school, a rare smile on her face, and, without as much as a “hello, honey, happy birthday,” I stretched out my arm, holding the small cylindrical container for urine collection. Surprising me, she laughed.Continue reading “Happy Birthday- Republished”
Through a glass, darkly
A Surviving Facts Blog I just finished watching the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale. Watching the show now, in 2025, is a chilling experience compared to 2017 when the series debuted. In 2017, Obama was in his last months as President, Roe v Wade was still the rule of the land, healthcare for allContinue reading “Through a glass, darkly”
Sunshine- Republished
Into the Wilderness: Story 4 When Catina went into the wilderness, we did too. Our wilderness was inside us, the intricate branching of thought and memory that builds up over time. The feelings we had pushed aside- that most adults push aside- sprouted like seedlings in sun. I became aware of my part. I haveContinue reading “Sunshine- Republished”
How Wilderness Therapy Saved My Family
Into the Wilderness: Story 43 Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of negative commentary on wilderness and residential therapy. Paris Hilton released Hell Camp, a Netflix documentary about her treatment experience. NY Times Author Kenneth Rosen has written “Troubled: The Failed Promise of America’s Behavioral Treatment Programs.” Prolific podcaster Tiffany Reese of “Something Was Wrong”Continue reading “How Wilderness Therapy Saved My Family”
Hi, it’s me
Into the wilderness: Story 42 With the latest family incident, I have concluded: I am the problem. Immediately, Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” ricochets through my head: “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem.” I am a trauma magnet. I say ”magnet” because the trauma happens around me, to my closest family and friends. By extension, these areContinue reading “Hi, it’s me”
Walk the Moon 