Long Long Journey, Enya
This interpretation of Painted Darkness visually speaks of my Psychodynamic orientation with respect to the Human Condition and our emotional struggles through life and living and loving.
Many of us must tread dark valleys during our lifetimes. Our daughter, Christine was born with Spina Bifida, a severe and complex set of physical disabilities involving multiple body systems (including partial paralysis and Epilepsy, among many others, for Chris) over a lifetime. This involves stresses and adjustments on the part of all family members. In Christine’s case, with the support of family and help for both Chris and myself, from talented adult/child psychoanalysts, I watched her struggle against immense odds, and grow....ride a bike, ride horses, snow mobile, ski, drive her own hand controlled Chevy SUV, work as a counselor at a summer camp for chronically ill and disabled children, attend college with hopes of a degree in Social Work...only to suddenly die of a lethal Epileptic seizure during her sophomore year at college.
My family is forever indebted to psychoanalysts
Art J. Farley, M.D. (many years of 5 day a week psychoanalysis for me) and George P. Kochis, M.D. (2 to 3 day a week psychodynamic psychotherapy for Chris for much of her life) along with countless other physicians, surgeons and support medical personal who assisted in incredibly complex medical management over many years.
These images are dedicated to all those who have walked the dark valleys in life.
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ......Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Christine 1968-1989
Inspirational story of Chris’s experience on the Episcopal High School Ropes Course
*scroll down to see last photo
Camp for All had named their “one of a kind in the world” high ropes Challenge Course after Chris (sign above). This course can accommodate children and adults with any disability or illness! The quote is from an essay Chris wrote in high school after working on a class project with physically and mentally challenged children.
***Link below... for short video. After initial spinal closure surgery after premature birth at 33 weeks and 2 ortho surgeries...bilateral hip muscle transfers and 2 months in a chest to both feet (hip spica) cast Chris learns to walk at age 2! . What memories!