Hello world!

Hello. I started this blog because, during my cancer recovery, I discovered collage art was instrumental in helping me find my true self. In recovery, I am trying to prioritize myself and practice self-care daily. I am learning that for most of my life, I have put myself at the bottom of my priority list. 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 is that, instead of thinking of my cancer as a bad thing, it actually was a pivot point for me. After 57 years, it’s okay to focus a little more on myself.

I was a physical therapist for 31 years until I had to quit due to my cancer diagnosis and treatment. While I 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 20s. I have decades of experience navigating the school system to get your child the accommodations they need, and supporting them 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, physical therapy, and stories about fascinating people I have met along the way. Come along for the journey. I’ll try to make it entertaining. Angie

Art as a Path to Recovery and Self-Discovery