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”
Category Archives: Into the Wilderness
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”
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”
Twenty-one- Republished
Into the Wilderness: Story 3, Mom Week 3 was the hardest. That’s 21 days. It takes 21 days, the saying goes, to form a habit. Up to 21 days for butterflies to grow in their chrysalis. Twenty-one days for the average house fly to live its entire life. It took 21 days for Catina toContinue reading “Twenty-one- Republished”
Moonshine- Republished
Into the Wilderness: Story 2 When I think of moonshine it’s not bootleg whiskey that comes to mind. It’s the bold calling of the moon through the sugar maples and hemlocks on the Blue Ridge mountains. Late summer heat and humidity be damned, Catina, Chuck and I snuggled together on her sleeping bag looking atContinue reading “Moonshine- Republished”
The cat and the mouse
Into the Wilderness: Story 41 The other night, one of my cat’s jaunted up from the basement, tail in air, with a mouse. She was so proud of her treasure. My daughter, recognizing the gift that likely would have landed on her bed, squealed. The cat dropped the mouse. The mouse was still alive. Unhurt.Continue reading “The cat and the mouse”
Stretching
Into the Wilderness: Story 40 This morning, I taught a Stretch class at Jazzercise. The format is about recovery and restoration. Stretching heals muscles, prevents injury, improves flexibility and increases wellbeing. It’s a necessary part of any fitness program. As I led the class through the stretches, I thought about mental and emotional recovery, especiallyContinue reading “Stretching”
Walk the Moon 