Katherine Stone is a tireless warrior, crusading for women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders(PMAD’s) to “like the lotus which can only blossom in the mud,” turn the “unfortunate circumstances” of their life into something beautiful. She has inspired tens of thousands of women to accept themselves and be “transformed not trapped” by the experience of PMAD’s. A survivor of Postpartum OCD herself, she knows what it is to suffer but more important what it is to survive and learn to thrive.
In 2004, Katherine introduced her blog, Postpartum Progress to moms all over the world. Postpartum Progress is one of the most read blogs by women anywhere and has become an invaluable resource to moms and professionals in the PMAD community. In 2011, Katherine created the non-profit organization, Postpartum Progress, Inc. to spread the message that women need not suffer in silence, that help was available, and that through supporting each other, we can heal.
Next, she launched “Climb Out of Darkness,” in 2013. Held on or near the longest day of the year annually to help shine the mostlight on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, the event features mothers and others across the globe joining together to climb mountains and hike trails to represent their symbolic rise out of the darkness of maternal mental illness and into the light of hope and recovery. This year, “Climb” participants raised over $240,000 to assist women who are still in the dark and have not healed yet.
Last weekend, she hosted the first “Warrior Moms” conference in Boston, attended by 120 participants, celebrating perinatal health, recovery and self-care. An opportunity for moms to once again transform the pain and suffering accompanying PMAD’s into the “compost” for nourishing their growth into a more resilient woman who knows that life can be perilous and finds the strength to carry on with her sister moms arm in arm. As Katherine would say, “warrior moms” supporting and caring for each other, bearing witness to trial and triumph and together, getting through.
From the community of moms and providers that you’ve served so tirelessly, Katherine, thanks so much! Also, a huge “namaste,” which means, “the light in me honors the light in you.”
For your practice this week, I encourage you to sign up for the Chopra/Oprah meditation experience which is about gratitude and grace. I’ve already joined and feel it’s one of their best programs yet. Click here and go to it directly.
Best to each of you. Namaste.
drdianesanford.com 