Hello. I decided to start this blog because, during my cancer recovery, I discovered collage art to be instrumental in finding my true self. In recovery, I am trying to prioritize myself and practice self-care daily. What I am learning is that for most of my life, I have put myself at the end of the list of priorities. I have also started counseling. My counselor has helped me to analyze my art and see things that I don’t. She is helping me to be kinder to myself. What she has pointed out, that instead of thinking of my cancer as a bad thing, that it actually was pivot point for me. After 57 years, it’s ok to concentrate on myslef a little more.
I was a physical therapist for 31 years until I had to quit due to my cancer diagnosis and treatment. While enjoyed the occupation for the most part, I am realizing now how much a job in health care can really take it out of you. I am now retired from PT because physically it would be too challenging and mentally it would be hard to be supportive of those in pain. Also, I do still feel like I have the side-effects of what they call “chemo-brain”. I have a hard time concentrating on things that require a lot of concentration.
I am the mom of a young adult son with Tourette Syndrome. He was diagnosed when he was 10 years old, and he’s now in his 20’s. I have decades of experience on how to handle the school system and get the accommodations your child needs as well as once they are out of the house and in the real world.
I will use this blog to share my art and the meaning behind my collages and techniques. I will share tips on child advocacy as well as tips about physical therapy and stories of fascinating people I have met along the way. Come along for the journey. I’ll try to make it entertaining.
Art as a Path to Recovery and Self-Discovery