Blog Posts

Lesson Learned

6/2/2015

The end of the school year is upon us. Things are winding down, finals are being taken and various ceremonies are being readied. I must say that as a homeschool teacher, I’ve seen a fair few of these end-of-school-days machinations. This is the time I usually find myself reflecting on what we’ve accomplished over the year and marvel at how far we’ve come.

But this year is different. This year, after seven years in typical school, six years of homeschooling and one year of hybrid schooling, my son is graduating high school.

Graduating. High. School.

It’s totally surreal. Even though I’ve imagined it since the day he came into this world seven weeks early and tipping the scales at a bristling four pounds, four ounces, it’s still weird. We pushed so hard and braved so many IEPs and district mediations and bad school administrators that we almost forgot what we were trying to achieve.

It’s like I’ve been walking underwater for 14 years and my head’s just about to break the surface. And I couldn’t wait to see him roll across that stage in his cap and gown, his faithful (and aging) service dog at his side. I couldn’t wait to cry those tears, honk my nose and stuff that used tissue in my purse while I tried to snap pictures.

But my son said NO.

He didn’t want any part of it. No cap and gown, no pomp and circumstance, no anything.

No matter how I try to reason with him, He Will Not Be Moved.

This meant I had to think about why this was so damn important to me when he could care less.

So I started thinking about my favorite teachers; who they were and what lessons I still carry with me. And I began to realize that I really didn’t have any that I remembered from school (or even from college, for that matter.) Most of them came from my life experiences. My parents, of course. And Tracey Miller, took me under her wing, took me out on the streets and taught me how to be a reporter. Stephani Victor showed me how to fly when you don’t have a leg to stand on. Stacy and Sean Napoles gave me the greatest lesson in unconditional love EVER when they raised and trained my son’s service dog. For free. Then gave him up forever. (How is this even humanly possible??)

And then I realized that of all of the amazing people I’ve been blessed to learn from in my life, no one has taught me more than my son, Cole Massie. I wanted that graduation ceremony because I thought that was my prize.

But it isn’t.

My prize is all that my son has taught me over the years about acceptance, patience and perseverance. It’s the amazing adventures and discoveries we had during our homeschooling years. It’s the time we spent teaching and growing together.

I win.

Lesson learned.

Tell us about your favorite teacher and what lesson you learned from them in the comments below!

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May 13th, 2015

5/13/2015

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Choosing Your Soul Challenge

Remember when you were 8? What you wanted to be and do? What you laid awake at night thinking about? Do you remember the music that rang true to your soul?

If you are (like me) a *few* years past 8, you know much of our dreaming has changed; but there’s a fundamental kernel of knowing that what developed in those early days still remains. We probably didn’t realize it at the time, but when we were drawn to things we LOVED and were focusing on them, we were being intentional about how we wanted to create ourselves.

So where the heck did that go??

Nowhere, as it turns out. It’s been sitting in your heart all this time, waiting for you to let it out.

Now, of course, some of those old visions might look a little silly. I wanted to see the Beatles in concert (well, I still want that.) I wanted to ride and own horses and be a prima ballerina who wore big, fluffy tutus (I’m sorry, but those things are just inherently silly.) I could spend an entire day swimming. I wanted to write and tell stories. I wanted to make my own bedtime and not go to school. I wanted to be independent.

When I go back to those desires and look past the surface, I can see the seeds that grew into who I am today. I’m strongly connected to music (I even married a musician), I love animals, I like to be the star (sometimes), I make my own bedtime (usually) and I am an independent writer. Dr. Ben was drawn to Frisbees, kites, and anything that rides the wind…he even loved the sound of wind chimes. He took that feeling of wind-in-your-face freedom and used it to create children’s music. Now he has songs that can free children’s minds…even when their bodies keep them earthbound.

So what does that have to do with choosing your soul challenge? (And what is that, anyway?)

A soul challenge is sort of a whittled-down version of a bucket list. Start by letting yourself go back to that 8-year-old you: remember the music you listened to and the dreams you dreamed and the things you loved (yes…even that white musical jewelry box with the pink satin lining and the ballerina that popped up when the music started playing.) What seeds of self were planted then? Take a look at what’s grown from them and let that inspire your soul challenge.

Here are some examples to get you started:

One friend I know has always felt drawn to her Scottish roots, so her soul challenge is to visit there and explore her ancestry. Another friend had flying dreams as a child, so he added skydiving to his soul challenge. My mom loved balloons growing up, so when she turns 80, she wants to ride in a hot air balloon! Remember my love of swimming and animals? My soul challenge is to swim with dolphins in the wild.

Your soul challenge is your sacred trust with yourself. It’s the promise you make to your inner child…and it keeps your spirit alive and joyous.

Find it. Nourish it. Accomplish it.

Go big or stay small. There’s no right or wrong. And it’s never too late.

Oh, and by the way…I still want to meet the (remaining) Beatles.

Dream On,

~Michelle

What music inspires your soul challenge? Tell us below! Here’s mine (obvi!):

edit.

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A Pefect Day: The Video...HERE'S A SNEAK PEEK!!!!!!!

4/3/2015

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Here it is, folks!!!!! The trailer for "A Perfect Day"!!!

We are so VERY PROUD of this amazing collaboration! Dr. Ben & Company has teamed up with the Bialis Famiy Foundation and Exceptional Minds Studios to create the music video for this super fun song. The animation was designed and directed by Dan Schier and it was gorgeously art directed by his wife, Nancy Schier (what a talented family!)

TAKE A LOOK!!!!!

Now, if you haven't heard of Exceptional Minds Studios, PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT!!! This is an AMAZING group of young adults who are on the autism spectrum. This animation studio serves as their vocational school and the teachers and programs are fantastic, encouraging and truly professional. We are honored and humbled to be working with them and to be at the beginning of their journey into the world of computer animation!

Here they are, celebrating the completion of the trailer by signing a skateboard and helmet (these will eventually be used at auction to raise funds for the school.)

We can't wait to see the finished video in November!

Please tell us what you think in the comments below!!

All plumed and proud,

~Michelle

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Happy Child Life Month!!!

3/2/2015

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Wait...you've never heard of a Child Life Specialist?

Boy, are you in for a treat!

Check this out...it's straight from www.childlife.org :

Armed with a strong background in child development and family systems, child life specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. They provide emotional support for families, and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization. Because they understand that a child’s wellbeing depends on the support of the family, child life specialists provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members. They also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress.

Yup...this is the A Team of Fun, folks. If you've got a child who has had to spend lots of time in hospitals or other care facilities, you know how easy it is to get caught up in all the complicated medical stuff. That means emotional health sometimes gets overlooked. But psychological fitness is just as important as physical fitness, so these angels appear and promote your child's healing by building play into health. In fact, a little preparation from the Child Life Specialist can make necessary procedures far less traumatizing, more meaningful, and even fun! Games, songs, therapy dogs, painting and crafts are just a few of the tools they use to lift spirits and encourage wellness for the whole family.

Dr. Ben & Company's new CD is ALL ABOUT Child Life; A Perfect Day was created especially for use by these very special heroes.

And right from CHILD LIFE COUNCIL website, here are some ways you can help get the word out!

Celebrating the Child Life Profession in March

Please join CLC and the many child life programs around the world in observing Child Life Month in March with special activities for your staff and local community. Start planning early, and take advantage of this incredible opportunity to honor and promote child life! It's time to educate your peers and the community-at-large about the special needs of families and children undergoing challenging events related to health care. Celebrate for the entire month, a few days, or any amount of time in between. Use the ideas and templates available here, or develop your own unique ways of observing this special time of year. We all know how important the work is that Child Life Specialists do - now is the time make sure the rest of the world knows it, too!

By clicking on the links below, you will find a variety of materials designed to help you plan educational activities to increase public awareness of the child life profession, including a fun Poem about Child Life. Don't forget to review the resources in Making the Case for Child Life, which includes the AAP Policy Statement on Child Life, CLC's Evidence-Based Practice Statements on Child Life, and the Child Life Promotional Flyer, among others.

These resources are offered as a starting point to assist you in planning your observation of Child Life Month. Please be as creative as you like in customizing the ideas so that they work with the unique needs of your Child Life program, institution or community.

And LOOKIT!!! A personal message of love from Dr. Ben!

If you're a Child Life Specialist and have a technique, program or child life product that's made a difference in family lives, please contact me so that we can work together to consider sharing it broadly with others.

And if you're a family that has benefited from the work of child life specialists and want to share with others the techniques, programs, or products that were the most helpful to your family, then please contact me so that we can work together to share this with others who can benefit.

Let’s spread the Child Life love!

~Michelle

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Loving, Actually

2/2/2015

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

This can be a great time of year; pretty cards, decadent sweets and special attention from loved ones.

But when you have a child with health challenges, it can be pretty hard to feel the love. And if you’re a single parent, it can be exceptionally isolating when love is all around.

Here’s the thing: sometimes, things just suck. So take a little time to allow yourself to be there before the Pollyannas descend on you and try to tell you why you shouldn’t be (or that you should take time to do something for yourself, or journal, or visualize, or whatever.) Unless they’ve been there, they don’t know. I hope they never have to.

But you do.

You know that when you get back from your tea break or your bubble bath or your once-a-year pedicure, your child will still have a serious medical condition…and relief is fleeting at best.

So how do we get this love boat back to port?

Here are a few activities to help you and your child revive, renew, and reconnect:

-A Love Tree
Cut hearts out of construction paper and let your kids put Valentine messages on them. If you’re feeling creative, you can use white spray paint on some branches and hang the messages there with ribbon. You can also hang them from IV poles, bed frames, monitors and hospital windows (ask the nurses first, please!)

-A Love Map
Have your child write the names of friends and family at random spots on a large piece of art paper. Then, ask him or her to draw lines between names to show how each person knows the other. Talk about how those relationships came about; and how you can create new ones. It’s a great way to visualize connectedness!

-Feed Your Love
Who says cookie cutters are only for cookies? Get an inexpensive heart-shaped cutter and try it on apples, pears or watermelon. If you can tolerate grains, press it into bread or toast. Top crackers with heart-shaped cheese! Fruit leather’s another fun thing to make shapes in. And, of course, it’s always fun to make Jell-O hearts!

-LOVE SONGS!
What better to lift your spirits than music? Find your favorite love tune! Tell us yours below!

Here’s mine:

And finally, this: there is love. Always love.

With Big Love,

~Michelle

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January 02nd, 2015

1/2/2015

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Successful Gazing: A Gentler Way to Look Forward

Welcome to our new blog! Welcome to 2015! Welcome to fun, musical ways to build play into health!

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

We are so glad to have you with us. My name’s Michelle Massie and along with Dr. Ben (and lots of other lovingly talented beings) we are starting our year by pushing this little e-boat out into the cyberwaters. And our goal isn’t just to float; it’s to carry you safely to shores you didn’t expect to see! We’d like to create virtual adventures for you; ones that will open your mind, fill your heart and make you laugh. Really laugh. Because nothing in the world is better medicine than that, right??

This is the time for resolutions. For taking stock, for being accountable. For letting go of the old and bringing in the new. It’s a time to rejoice, refresh and renew.

But what if you have a child with a serious medical condition or illness? What if you struggle each day just to achieve the smallest tasks of living? What if you feel like you're in constant survival mode?

It can be a real challenge when you see those around you going about their normal lives; making plans for future trips, new jobs, healthier bodies, remodeled homes. And it’s hard to be reminded time and again that we stand alone, teetering on the ledge of uncertain futures. We toss and turn at night; wondering what will become of our kids when we’re gone: who will care for them? Will they find love? Will they be healthy?

Will they be ok?

The answer is: there is no answer. But we must pull in positivity because without it, we cannot help ourselves or our kids.

So how do you do *that* when you’re barely making it through the next
procedure/appointment/therapy?

Successful Gazing.

Looking at the future can be daunting under the best of circumstances. Throw a child with health challenges into the mix and it can feel downright impossible. But it doesn’t have to be! You can take it in tiny steps; teasing out the good and the positive by degrees. Even in your darkest moment, you can find something to be thankful for. Make that your first building block and start to move forward from there.

Here are some tips for gazing gently into the future:

-Look for one beautiful thing every day. It can be a gesture, a kind word, a flower or a billboard. You’ll be surprised at how many you see once you start looking! Post them to a wall or board where you can see them.

-Create one beautiful thing every day. Keep it S-I-M-P-L-E. Thank someone. Tell someone they look nice. Leave birdseed outside your window. Do a kind deed for someone else. Call someone for no reason. Sing your favorite song the very best you can to someone, even if it’s to yourself! And for cryin’ out loud, keep it short and sweet so that you don’t overwhelm yourself by adding another thing to your to-do list!

-Allow yourself to indulge by seeing your favorite future. Go there, just for a moment. As you are creating it in your mind, notice *everything* that comes up. You’ll begin to see little things here and there that you can accomplish with small amounts of effort (painting a wall your favorite color? Putting an organizing basket in your office? Creating an activity bucket – for both kids and adults – for your child’s hospital room?) Each tiny thing will start to change your plane of current reality. Indeed, it is the only way most meaningful change is ever accomplished!

-Keep Score. I *love* this idea! Over the course of this year, scribble a quick note every time something good happens and pop it into a Good Things Jar. At the end of the year, empty it and take a look. It will make all of your efforts tangible and help keep you uplifted!

-Laugh. Every chance you get. Laughing is serious business: there are loads of health benefits you can see and feel with every chuckle. Norman Cousins healed himself with Marx Brothers Movies. It feels good and keeps you connected to your human-ness. Got some good ways to yuck it up? Share it with us in the comments below! Please send us the videos, games, stories, pictures or music that give you the guffaws. We’ll spread the funny and share it with the rest of this community!

-Stay connected. This is the most important. Nurture your current circle of support by giving back to it in whatever small way you can. Expand it by inviting others in. Enrich it by becoming part of someone else’s. And find websites that give you positive support (like this one, naturally!)

No one can predict the future, of course. But you can find ways to shape and influence it so that it becomes a place where the darkness doesn’t feel so scary…and the light shines a little more brightly.

With Big Love,

~Michelle

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Welcome!

We're so glad you stopped by! This is the place to tickle your brain, connect with others and fill your heart. Let's get busy building play into health!.....Together, we make today...A PERFECT DAY!!

Lesson Learned

May 13th, 2015

A Pefect Day: The Video...HERE'S A SNEAK PEEK!!!!!!!

Happy Child Life Month!!!

Loving, Actually

January 02nd, 2015

Welcome!

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