Children, Families, Communities

I grew up in Maine and currently serve as Chief of Police in Southwest Harbor. My wife and I have 3 wonderful children and 6 grandchildren. Our daughter Abby, who lives with us, was born with a very rare medical condition and was not expected to live. She was treated by top physicians in the world and we received the "red carpet" treatment wherever she went. On the flip side of this amazing treatment my wife spent years fighting the political/medical system due to Chronic Lyme Disease. We turned to alternative forms of healing and she achieved health through holistic treatment. Since we have experienced both the best and the worst of medical treatment we are now fully convinced that medicine plays only a small part in the process of healing.

My first hand experiences have given me a personal perspective on how children are affected by all aspects of their socio-economic environment and how the medical community plays a role. There is no one best solution, as each child is part of a much larger picture. Being able to use my life-lessons as part of a larger group helping to open doors and creating access to whole treatment is an altruistic objective that I couldn't even have imagined just a few years ago.

Love, for me, is the center. From there, love leads and guides me towards experiences that impact me in the present. Then I learn some of how the love radiates outwards because exactly what I need returns to me in a different moment. The clearest manifestation of this is through the opportunity to mother my children. Another comes from when a family invites me to participate in their child’s journey as a developmental occupational therapist. Still other love comes from fellowship within my community. Love, having no boundary of space or time, offers me a community so broad that it includes my engagement with local church musicians and fellow theater performers as well as with friends and family from my childhood and young adulthood from both hemispheres of our planet. I hope I may practice my love centering, to be ready for how it may next move through me and return.

I’m a retired school psychologist with a unique perspective as an immigrant settling in a culture very different from my upbringing. Curious and playful by nature, I love questioning perceived limitations and beliefs, exploring our consciousness, learning and integrating metaphysical awareness and mind/body techniques into daily life. I’ve always had an affinity and respect for the projects and individuals associated with CFC. Every interaction stretched my perceptions of our interconnectedness, of what is possible when we are mindful, intentional and lead with our strengths.

As one of the founders of Children Families and Communities it has been my great pleasure to work with a wide range of talented people in providing an array of holistic services to people in need. I have always hoped that the organization would grow into whatever needs flowed organically from a grassroots level. Slowly this has happened as we have all become more clear that what we support are services that are more holistic, inclusive and functional in nature. We hope that CFC serves not only those in need, but the dedicated providers as well.

I am the newest member of the Board. I come from the business world, and have led professional organizations and founded the Camp Fire USA program in Chicago. My passion is making sure programs are effective and money and time are used wisely.

I have been an acupuncturist for 38 years. I began training in Presence in Healing work 10 years ago. I find the paradigm it represents to be all-encompassing, deep, and profoundly wise. My acupuncture knowledge fits joyfully with this work, and bringing the two together allows me to accompany people in their journey of life and of death. I bring that perspective to being on the board.