A Mother's Journey: From Fear to Hope at Oxbow Academy

By Stephen C. Schultz

The only way to describe this mother upon arrival was pure exhaustion. I gave her a huge hug as she walked in, and she seemed to sink against me. Her glassy eyes took in the facility—the photos on the walls, the boys' rooms. Within about fifteen minutes of her arrival, we were packing up her son and sending him to the mountain.

You see, she had just arrived with her son from Manhattan, New York City. The future was full of unknowns, and the fear for her son was palpable. He had ventured into some very dark places on the web. There had been a visit from the FBI and the confiscation of home electronics. Her son struggled with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and had limited awareness of what he had actually gotten himself into. Fortunately, his mother began searching for treatment options and found Oxbow Academy. Authorities in New York recognized the need for treatment rather than incarceration and allowed her to enroll him at Oxbow Academy, with regular communication and updates on his progress.

It was pure coincidence that they arrived the day after the entire student body had gone up to the mountains for their annual weeklong campout. Mom was able to relax a bit and breathe a little easier on our ride up to the camp. Once there, she met more staff members and spoke with students enrolled at Oxbow.

On the way back down the mountain, this mother was still tired but visibly relieved that her son would experience a healing process at Oxbow. There was a moment of silence, and I glanced over at her sitting in the passenger seat. She looked at me and simply said, "Thank you," as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Comments

The Young Boy and the Rattlesnake

By Stephen C. Schultz (Editors note: This is a story used in a Wilderness Treatment Program. Many come to this program having struggled with depression, anxiety and substance use.) Many years ago there was a young Native American who lived in the very land you are residing in. He decided to seek wisdom by journeying to the top of Indian Peak. As he approached the base of the mountain he came across a rattlesnake that slithered beside him. The snake coiled as if to strike and the young boy moved back quickly in fear of being struck by the snake’s deadly venom. At that instant the snake spoke to the boy saying, “Don’t be afraid of me, I mean you no harm. I come to you to ask a favor. I see that you are about to traverse to the top of Indian Peak and was hoping that you may be willing to place me in your satchel so that I don’t have to make the long journey alone.” The young boy surprised by the snake’s request quickly responded by turning down the offer, stating, ...

Holiday Insight: Finding Grace in Imperfect Relationships

By Stephen C. Schultz As we once again head into the Holiday Season, it is important to be aware of the impact of the holidays on those we love and care about. The holidays are often described as a time of joy, family, and celebration. But for many, they bring a quieter reality - one marked by stress, loneliness, or the resurfacing of painful memories. For some people, the holidays represent connection and renewal. For others, they stir up what has been lost, what never was, or what once hurt too much to recall. The very things that make the season feel special - music, smells, family gatherings - can also awaken deep emotional undercurrents, especially for those with a history of trauma. Why the Holidays Can Trigger Past Trauma Many people who have experienced trauma - especially early childhood or relational trauma - notice that this season brings unexpected emotional intensity. Science now confirms what survivors have long known: certain times of year can activate implicit ...

The definition of insanity…the sanity of recovery!

By Stephen C. Schultz We have all heard the old saying, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again, expecting a different result." As I work with teens and families that struggle with a myriad of problems, the one thing that amazes me is the tendency for families to keep thinking and behaving in the same ways and expecting positive changes to take effect. How often do we hope to change our destination in life, but fail to change the route? Here is fun story with a great message! Autobiography in Five Short Chapters By Portia Nelson Chapter One I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk I fall in. I am lost...I am helpless It is not my fault. It takes forever to find a way out. Chapter Two I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. ...

The Interpreted Rock

Search This Blog