I am so glad you can write and share your pain, maybe giving little pieces of it away will help lessen your load. (A girl can wish, can't she?)So glad you found Dogs. Will be thinking of you and wishing you peace.
Oh Kate…what a honor. Truly such an honor to be able to bear witness to just a sliver of your heart. As someone who also spent some time in a mental hospital, your words and your story are something I treasure. Sending all the love ❤️
I felt this in my very soul. It's amazing to read this, not knowing you personally, and to finally not feel - like really feel - alone. Thank you, Kate. Thank you.
I just cannot thank you enough. I haven't gone through identical things (though very similar), but I resonate so deeply to you, your story, and your writing. Keep on fighting the good fight, you're worthy!
Kate, it's a blessing to feel all your emotions while reading this week's post. What a gift you have given us all, sharing your world and struggles so that we might all better understand. I have learned a ton from you, but always have known the power of dogs. They have the ability to save us, protect us and just be there for us when there seems to be nothing else. Be well and know you are such an inspiration ... even on your darkest days.
I cried all the way through and for minutes after reading this. How is that science has made snail’s pace progress with mental illness? Your experience smacked of Cuckoo’s Nest scenes where nurses just follow the rules, punch the timeclock and are not empathetic. Dogs as service/therapy animals should be at the top of every doctor’s treatment options--not just one that experienced and intelligent individuals like you have figured out on your own since childhood. Thank you for your bravery in sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing this part of your heart with us. It called out to part of me, I do not let myself acknowledge most days and how my... my Atlas ( my St. Bernard) has reminded me of who I am more times than I can count... thank you
Once again it’s an honor to read your words and your truth.
I will be raising a CC dog soon and this today will be held alongside my why’s. This is now one reason more to give my time and energy to raise a dog that some day will support someone, and if they decide not to work as service dog then maybe therapy dog is the path.
Thanks Kate for being here and sharing, it makes my world brighter. 💜💜💜
Your story is so moving and I'm left wanting to know more about you and your life's journey. You are an incredible story teller......I'm in tears with each paragraph. Your struggles are real and giving us a glimpse into your life gives people with and without mental illness a voice and an awareness of the struggles and the triumph you and so many like you have been thru. Thank you thank you thank Kate. BIG hugs and kisses to you Waffle and Tug!!!
I’m sobbing. I was a pediatric nurse for over 50 years, never a psychiatric nurse. I snuck many a family’s dog into the children’s hospital to visit their sick child. This was all before we had therapy dogs. Any fool could see how therapeutic those visits were at easing the pain, loneliness, and yes, depression in the child. I am sobbing because, I am so ashamed that the psych nurses didn’t recognize and use what was obviously the single most effective therapeutic tool for you. I hope you can feel the hug I’m sending to you❤️❤️❤️
i have too many words to even put into a single comment. all i can say is thank you. i am struggling so much today and reading your chapter today made me feel a bit less alone. it's so eyeopening to see your connection with dogs. thank you so much, Kate.
I haven’t even read this chapter yet - just the intro. And I’m sobbing. I can’t begin to describe how much I wish I could help young Kate, present Kate, future Kate. Know how much it means to me to read something and lean in to my own heavy feelings. If it offers you any peace, any brief relief, any fleeting glimmer of light in the darkness of your illness, we’re here with you. Walking through. Hanging on to every word. I know you’re writing for us, for her but I hope it’s also for you. I’m honoured to observe your writing journey and this latest project of yours. Cheering from the sidelines, in snot and solidarity <3 (ps pom poms are terrible Kleenex). Xo
I truly wish for you that I was reading a novel. Your writing is incredible, I'm just sorry it's your truth. " She just has this thing for dogs.”" Are these nurses still there? They don't deserve to be near patients. I don't know you Kate, but I do love you- and of course Waffy and Tug.
Thank you. You are so loved. 💜
💜💜💜😘
I am so glad you can write and share your pain, maybe giving little pieces of it away will help lessen your load. (A girl can wish, can't she?)So glad you found Dogs. Will be thinking of you and wishing you peace.
It absolutely does. Word by word. It sets me free.
Oh Kate…what a honor. Truly such an honor to be able to bear witness to just a sliver of your heart. As someone who also spent some time in a mental hospital, your words and your story are something I treasure. Sending all the love ❤️
Thank you -- I am so so grateful to have you here
Love you ! You’re the bomb!
Love you, Lynn!!
I felt this in my very soul. It's amazing to read this, not knowing you personally, and to finally not feel - like really feel - alone. Thank you, Kate. Thank you.
This means everything to me.
I just cannot thank you enough. I haven't gone through identical things (though very similar), but I resonate so deeply to you, your story, and your writing. Keep on fighting the good fight, you're worthy!
Sending so so much love your way
Kate, it's a blessing to feel all your emotions while reading this week's post. What a gift you have given us all, sharing your world and struggles so that we might all better understand. I have learned a ton from you, but always have known the power of dogs. They have the ability to save us, protect us and just be there for us when there seems to be nothing else. Be well and know you are such an inspiration ... even on your darkest days.
I’m so glad you had Charlotte while you fought for your life 💜 Holding space for you Kate 💜💜💜
I cried all the way through and for minutes after reading this. How is that science has made snail’s pace progress with mental illness? Your experience smacked of Cuckoo’s Nest scenes where nurses just follow the rules, punch the timeclock and are not empathetic. Dogs as service/therapy animals should be at the top of every doctor’s treatment options--not just one that experienced and intelligent individuals like you have figured out on your own since childhood. Thank you for your bravery in sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing this part of your heart with us. It called out to part of me, I do not let myself acknowledge most days and how my... my Atlas ( my St. Bernard) has reminded me of who I am more times than I can count... thank you
Always in awe of you, you're such an inspiration Kate. I don't know you, but I feel like I do and I feel your story very deeply.
Once again it’s an honor to read your words and your truth.
I will be raising a CC dog soon and this today will be held alongside my why’s. This is now one reason more to give my time and energy to raise a dog that some day will support someone, and if they decide not to work as service dog then maybe therapy dog is the path.
Thanks Kate for being here and sharing, it makes my world brighter. 💜💜💜
Your story is so moving and I'm left wanting to know more about you and your life's journey. You are an incredible story teller......I'm in tears with each paragraph. Your struggles are real and giving us a glimpse into your life gives people with and without mental illness a voice and an awareness of the struggles and the triumph you and so many like you have been thru. Thank you thank you thank Kate. BIG hugs and kisses to you Waffle and Tug!!!
I’m sobbing. I was a pediatric nurse for over 50 years, never a psychiatric nurse. I snuck many a family’s dog into the children’s hospital to visit their sick child. This was all before we had therapy dogs. Any fool could see how therapeutic those visits were at easing the pain, loneliness, and yes, depression in the child. I am sobbing because, I am so ashamed that the psych nurses didn’t recognize and use what was obviously the single most effective therapeutic tool for you. I hope you can feel the hug I’m sending to you❤️❤️❤️
i have too many words to even put into a single comment. all i can say is thank you. i am struggling so much today and reading your chapter today made me feel a bit less alone. it's so eyeopening to see your connection with dogs. thank you so much, Kate.
I haven’t even read this chapter yet - just the intro. And I’m sobbing. I can’t begin to describe how much I wish I could help young Kate, present Kate, future Kate. Know how much it means to me to read something and lean in to my own heavy feelings. If it offers you any peace, any brief relief, any fleeting glimmer of light in the darkness of your illness, we’re here with you. Walking through. Hanging on to every word. I know you’re writing for us, for her but I hope it’s also for you. I’m honoured to observe your writing journey and this latest project of yours. Cheering from the sidelines, in snot and solidarity <3 (ps pom poms are terrible Kleenex). Xo
I truly wish for you that I was reading a novel. Your writing is incredible, I'm just sorry it's your truth. " She just has this thing for dogs.”" Are these nurses still there? They don't deserve to be near patients. I don't know you Kate, but I do love you- and of course Waffy and Tug.