Celebrating the Journey
If you’ve been following my story, you’ll remember that last June for my 50th birthday, I
wanted to challenge myself by doing something I’ve never done before and start to chip away at my bucket list… so I talked my family into hiking the Inca Trail.
I know I’ve shared bits and pieces of my life, but truth be told I never thought I would do a trip like this with my middle child, Doug. For Doug was diagnosed as developmentally delayed, when he was just thirteen months old.
From that day forward the backdrop for my life was permanently changed. A dark cloud descended over my young family and the dream I had for my little boys and soon to be little girl disappeared. I was no longer a happy young mother bringing her two little boys to playgroup, but a frantic one dropping my oldest son Phil off to be cared for by dear friends while taking Doug in his car seat to therapy.
By the time Doug was two, he received two more diagnoses (with more to follow.) At age three, I shifted most of his care toward alternative medicine as I was so tired of people telling me what he couldn’t do instead of celebrating what he could.
In this new paradigm shift, I learned so many things. I began to see how food can affect behavior and noticed a positive shift in Doug’s awareness and language development when I eliminated gluten, casein and artificial food dyes from his diet. I became interested in and started to explore the mind body connection through Feldenkrais Anat Baniel Method, Craniosacral and Auditory Integration therapy, along with the advances that can be made through Behavior and Sensory Integration Therapy – my entire understanding of the world expanded.
Through Doug I’ve met angels living on earth – truly. I know so many it’s hard to name them but one of them was his Anne Sullivan – her name is Vonda Lupo-Britt. Vonda’s dedication to Doug – over 50 hours a week for two years helped him make a stronger connection to the world.
So you can see while this story had a sad start – it really isn’t about sadness – it’s about the possibility of creating new dreams and being open to the journey. Doug has helped all of us become available to what is really important and meaningful in life and allowed me the luxury of letting go of what I call the “nonsense stuff.”
And today – he is over 6’ 3”. He worked hard to beat his older brother hiking the trail, talks a mile a minute (another story) and charms everyone with his engaging smile and enthusiastic spirit.
I count him as one of my greatest blessings.
Looking Ahead
In honor of all families who have a child who is “differently-abled” and to encourage some dietary experimentation, especially for children with challenging behaviors, Jane created three “gluten/casein free” dishes for this month.
To specifically encourage visual learners to slow cook, we’re debuting a new “visual recipe” format next week as well as a video of us making our French Toast Maple Casserole. We would love your feedback.
Zen Toolkit
When things start to feel too frenetic in your home open a window – even an inch will create a positive shift in your energy.
Zen Moment
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over; it became a butterfly.”
