In many ways I cannot remember a time before cancer, nor can I remember a time before Adventure Therapy. The two are interlinked in every possible way.
Adventure Therapy is my cancer adventure. It is my proof that good things can come from bad circumstances. It is a testimony that fears can be overcome and isolation minimized. It is the tool that demonstrates how a person’s identity can be strengthened by cancer.
I never gave up that idealistic 20 year old version of myself that wanted to change the world, and here I am 20 years later, still working to do impossible things, just with a little more focus and a little more life experience. In the deepest part of me I want to bring change to the cancer experience, not for one person, but to change the experience of cancer for everyone who will ever be diagnosed.
When living with a metastatic diagnosis, there is a sense of urgency attached to every day. Many people in my shoes sketch out their bucket list and buy a plane ticket. I got on the phone and founded a non-profit. I couldn’t wait to change the world next year, I needed to start today.
I believe the emotional side effects of cancer are more difficult to overcome than the disease itself, yet no one ever talks about them. Furthermore, the emotional side effects are contagious. Those who love the cancer patient are also impacted by fear, isolation and uncertainty around their identity as they watch us struggle with the disease. I have a dear friend whose mother was diagnosed with cancer over 20 years ago, yet the mother’s disease continues to impact my friend’s daily life and decisions. Unacknowledged fear, isolation and identity shifts impact her long after the disease of cancer stopped impacting her mother.
This is my mission:
- to minimize the emotional side effects of cancer
- to limit cancer’s impact on the next generation; to encourage restoration in family relationships
- to demonstrate that strength can come from weakness
I am so glad that you are here celebrating Adventure Therapy on its first birthday! I have much more in store for this non-profit and for you! I can't wait to show you all of my ideas as we continue to grow the organization together in the coming year.
To learn more about Adventure Therapy, visit them online or follow @adventuretherapyfoundation