The Face Of Pain
Pain, both physical and mental, comes in many forms; not all instances are remediable, but some are, if we really put our minds to it. The following video is of…
ptsd
PTSD in Caregiving – When Little Things Feel Life-Threatening
One day when I was 17, I happened to be home alone with my father. As a result of three strokes a year earlier, Dad was paralysed on his right…
Illness Experiences + Emotions = Treatment Choices
Me with my Dad One day when I was 17, I was home alone with my Dad. I was lying on my bed reading and Dad was in his living…
simple but amazing experiences healing dogs from past trauma
Cookie recently had a fear reaction, and we’re working on desensitization. I thought I would share our experience with changing fearful behaviour. Diego Not long after we adopted Diego, we…
is my body keeping score? personal insights (plus brain dump) after reading the book by bessel van der kolk
When I wrote my beyond-rave review of The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, by Bessel van der Kolk, I purposely omitted some…
what i’m reading: the body keeps the score by bessel van der kolk
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma is a famous among trauma survivors and the professionals who treat them. I can say without…
the ptsd story i promised you
A few posts ago, I mentioned having a PTSD episode, and being open about it, in a group setting. That post seems to have resonated with a lot of people.…
and let others do for you: interdependence, and the strength to be vulnerable
“I find it really difficult to ask for help.” I’ve heard many people say this. I don’t know if I ever said this myself, but as a teen and then…
and let others do for you: interdependence, and the strength to be vulnerable
“I find it really difficult to ask for help.” I’ve heard many people say this. I don’t know if I ever said this myself, but as a teen and then…
and let others do for you: interdependence, and the strength to be vulnerable
“I find it really difficult to ask for help.” I’ve heard many people say this. I don’t know if I ever said this myself, but as a teen and then…
i need a canada for my subconscious: the kavanaugh hearings and we go on
I avoided the Kavanaugh hearings as long as I could. I used to take a special interest whenever survivors go public. I’d read everything I could, write letters to newspapers,…
on poppies, veterans, trolls, and doxing
First of all, I do not apologize. I have nothing to apologize for. No one should apologize for having an unpopular opinion, or an opinion that the majority finds offensive.…
thoughts on the latest u.s. gun massacre
As part of my continuing efforts to post here rather than — or at least in addition to — Facebook, here are some thoughts on the latest horrific massacre in…
A Heavy Blanket Helps People with Anxiety and Insomnia
A good nights sleep can make a world of difference to one’s health, getting that sleep can be hard though. A simple solution can help those who need more slumber:…
what i’m reading: the evil hours, a biography of post-traumatic stress disorder
The Evil Hours: A Biography of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an outstanding book -- meticulously researched, but written in a compelling, accessible style, and with great humanity and compassion. Author…
u.s. iraq war resisters: the struggle continues
Still war resisters. Still in Canada. Still fighting to stay.So far, the change in government hasn't helped the Iraq War resisters who remain here, nor the ones who were forced…
My Caregiver Worst Fear
Every caregiver has a worst fear - a nightmare scenario that unfolds like an unwanted, sinister guest in the imagination. It might be triggered by the sound of an unusual…
Rick Mercer and the Refugee Lifeline
As you know, I believe the challenge of settling thousands of Syrian refugees in this country is a gift not a burden.A chance to show that after the darkness of…
Remembrance Day 2015: Remembering the Dead and the Living
It's Remembrance Day 2015, and this year it will be for me like no other I have ever known. A day of sadness and celebration.A day to mourn all those…
The Psychology and Therapeutic Benefits of D&D
Or, Why D&D Kicks Butt There is a mounting body of evidence and experience that shows that D&D, the original role playing strategy game (like chess, but with improv theatre,…