Over the past ten years Adirondack citizens have joined together to offer an annual Arts and Healing Retreat for women with cancer and chronic illness . This retreat provides a unique opportunity for women who are struggling with life changing diseases to tell their stories in a variety of contexts and thus to develop a sense of connection, meaning and empowerment. During the retreat, they are immersed in the healing environment of the Adirondacks and, through workshops offered by Adirondack artists, they are surrounded by the opportunity to use words, music, movement and laughter to create bonds and realize that they are not alone.
What started as an annual retreat continues to grow as we reach out to new groups and old friends. In our tenth year we held two retreats, one in July and one in September of 2008. The coming year marks the beginning of our branching out to new audiences. This blog is offered as a way to keep our community connected. Here is a sample of the images and words of those who have benefited from this experience:
“My attitude has really shifted since that weekend…it was a remarkable experience”
“[This retreat has been] the most wonderful and lovely thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“The gifts that each of these women brought to the weekend were magical.”
“I used to think the staff performed this magic each year. Now I see it clearly. They provide the canvas. We paint it. I can't wait to see what we create this year.”
“I take the image of the bridge lit up at night. As I cross it, my shoulders go down, the radio goes off, I am here. I forgive my body for betraying me. I take strength from all of you.”
“I feel the strength of the women who came before me - and I count on the strength of those who will come after me.”
“This time affords me an opportunity to look inside my self, to remove, so to speak, "the skin of the onion", to face challenges with a greater strength and move forward!”
“I learned that life isn't over until it's over and that the illness isn't robbing me of that, my attitude is.”
“I learned that I do still have power over myself and my life.”
“I am not alone in my battle with cancer.”
This program needs to be expanded so more women could benefit.
There were no judgments. It was great.
Creativity is SO important for healing!!
Leslie Neustadt attended the Susan G. Komen for the Cure award ceremony on April 9, 2009 and expressed great appreciation for the generosity of the grant during these hard economic times. She shared the magic that is created during the healing retreats. The women who lead the retreat use story telling, singing and song writing, communal art making and yoga to build a supportive community in which women can come to terms with their illness. Leslie told the story of a woman who learned to forgive her body for betraying her.
This year's awards demonstrate Susan G. Komen for the Cure's commitment to local organizations and institutions that meet the needs of women who are struggling with breast cancer. The awards reflect Komen's determination to reach under served women without health insurance and women who have difficulty accessing medical care and complementary services. Creative Healing Connections intends to partner with these organizations to offer its healing retreats to women in need.
“My attitude has really shifted since that weekend…it was a remarkable experience”
“[This retreat has been] the most wonderful and lovely thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“The gifts that each of these women brought to the weekend were magical.”
“I take the image of the bridge lit up at night. As I cross it, my shoulders go down, the radio goes off, I am here. I forgive my body for betraying me. I take strength from all of you.”
“I feel the strength of the women who came before me - and I count on the strength of those who will come after me.”
“This time affords me an opportunity to look inside my self, to remove, so to speak, "the skin of the onion", to face challenges with a greater strength and move forward!”
“I learned that life isn't over until it's over and that the illness isn't robbing me of that, my attitude is.”
“I learned that I do still have power over myself and my life.”
“I am not alone in my battle with cancer.”
