April is Craniosacral Awareness month and the Upledger Institute launched a 30 minute documentary about CST and highlighted the dolphin-assisted CST program. I was inspired by the changes I saw in the people who attended this program. Whilst I was at the 2012 CST conference, Beyond the Dura, I heard Barbara Tresness speak about her son Graham. She talked about how he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and the big changes Graham made both physically and emotionally at the dolphin-assisted CST program. I was really impacted by the talk; from all my years of experience of working with children with disabilities as a Pediatric Physical Therapist I knew how significant the results were. Barb is an inspiring person who has giving back to the community with her work. She created a video that has been shown on Jet Blue and American Airlines as well as writing two books.
This year I decided it was time for me to go to Bahamas! I will be attending a class in July and can’t wait, especially after seeing the new documentary.
Eight years ago I was swimming in a bay in Maui early one morning and was surrounded by spinner dolphins. I could hear the sounds they were making and as I just relaxed with them they came up so close that I could hear them breathing out and have eye contact with them. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I just got back from Maui and was delighted to see spinners dolphins come and play in the bow of the boat both on our way out and coming back in. And to make the day extra special, since it was my 50th birthday, the whales came and swam up close to us! That is another experience that I will never forget.
In 2010 I was in Maui for the first time and as I dove down to watch the fish I heard the whales calling to each other. I could not believe my ears! Every time I go back and it is whale season the first thing I do is get in the ocean and dive down to hear the whales. I am looking forward to getting to know these special animals even more this summer.
Also my website has had a major spring clean by my talented friend Deb Puku (https://www.debpuku.com). I particularly love the way that the Healthy Compassionate Touch material for the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Extension Program has been laid out. Take a look here and let me know what you think. The High School piece is being developed and will be done by the beginning of the school year. I am delighted to announce that the Livermore School District, where I live, will be bringing the JLCL program to the whole district at the beginning of the school year. Love is spreading!
Kate xx