MORE on VIRTUAL GROUP-WORK, COMMUNITY OFFERINGS :

Pack, tribe, social circle, collective, sangha, commUNITY – no matter what we call it, it calls to us.  Having a support system for personal growth and development is a key construct in evolutionary psychology and in my lived experience, as both a traveler and a map-maker.  Research suggests that our human brains evolve in response to the size and set of problems associated with the breadth and depth of our social groups; that fear, disconnection, shame, and blame ultimately shrink in the face of collective assembly and shared humanity; and that ultimately the foundation of courage, joy and wholehearted living is vulnerability, itself.

This is why I offer what I offer and support what I support.  The ability to navigate uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure in supportive environments like these, can and will make a difference.  After all - and as the saying goes - it takes a proverbial village to raise ourselves up. 

Dear Diagnosis :
​a Literary Project

A passion project and a paradigm - I launched Dear Diagnosis in January of 2018 in hopes of inspiring the use of narrative medicine for individual health and wellness, community enrichment, and (ultimately) informed care.

As the project's Creative Director and Blog Manager, I'm delighted to share that we have more than 100 letters written anonymously to the diagnostic labels, named deficits, identified difficulties, and supposed problems that plague us to date! So, too, have I created innovative ways for the public to engage with narrative tools - if not to contribute to the vitality of our virtual community - using a "label re-maker" or virtual "post-it". For more on this dynamic project, please visit www.DearDiagnosis.com. 

DiabetesSangha :
​Peer-led Meditation for the T1D Community

The DiabetesSangha is a community-driven effort to make contemplative practices (like modern "mindfulness" and other forms of meditation) accessible and relevant to people affected by Type One Diabetes.

​As a guest facilitator, content developer, and former member of the leadership team, it is my privilege and intent to offer sound resources and a compassionate space for mind-body education and experiential practice amongst T1D peers, partners and caregivers. For more on this and relevant resources, including a Zoom link for impromptu participation in any of our weekly offerings visit www.DiabetesSangha.com. 

Compassionate Communication :
a Practice in Nonviolent Communication

Honored to partner with The Compassionate Communication Center of Ohio, who supports my ongoing education and capacity for public education in nonviolent communication - as was originally taught by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg; my work and practice is largely inspired by the modernized, trauma-informed teachings of champions like Oren Jay Sofer, Roxy Manning and Sarah Peyton. 

As a contract employee with occasional grant funding, look for workshops, series classes and practice group opportunities in tandem with CCCO's small but mighty team on my social media pages or at www.speakingpeace.org; or get a taste for a compassionate communication practice by joining me during the monthly Empathic Exchange offered in partnership with DiabetesSangha on the last Tuesday of each month from 8-9pm EST (5pm PST) on Zoom. 

And a Few MORE of my Most Favorite RESOURCES :

As a social worker, I am vested and committed to resource-linkage-coordination and -mobilization. The following resources are commonly endorsed by me - if not a reflection of previous or newfound attempts at collaboration. Please use the respective links for more info: 

FLORIDA
OHIO
NORTH CAROLINA
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
  • NAMI: Our Nation's Largest Grassroots Mental Health Organization 
  • PFLAG: Our Nation's First and Largest Organization Uniting Parents, Families, and Allies with LGBTQ+ Folx
  • ​The Mighty: An Online Health Community for Persons with Chronic Illness
  • Serious Fun Camps: Camps and Programs for Kids and Families Managing Chronic Illness
  • Connected in Motion: Diabetes Camps and Virtual Programming for Adults

VIRTUAL OPTIONS FOR MOVEMENT, MEDITATION & HEALING ART