Ok, I have thought about this one for awhile. I dont want to take anything away from the hospice nurse, but I have a possible canidate for you. Now I am sure that the nurse from Chico,(howdy we are almost neighbors) is far more deserving but if you are looking for an arrogant, obnoxious young man to help set out along a healthy path then I have someone in mind. No not me, I am no longer young. In Feb. of this year my 13, now 14, yr old nephew came to live with me and my family. He was taken from his parents when he was about 3 or 4 and adopted by my Dad and stepmom. His mom, my step sister, has spent most of her adult life in jail or in a glass pipe. His uncle died of a drug overdose at about age 35. While my Dad and stepmom mean well and love my nephew they also raised his mom and uncle. They are well to do professional type people but they lack what is called "parenting skills". Anyway to make a long story short my wife and I intervened because we have the best background to help and really I dont want him to die.
When I picked him up we went straight to an outdoor class in Pasadena. He made fire many ways including a bow drill.
This is from the first time he ever went camping this April.
I had to sleep in the hammack behind the tent because he was afraid of bears.
This is us at the beach collecting mussels. (My C'DL, Idaho Hat)
We go on hikes here in the neighborhood and have hobo night in the backyard.
Here he is with the start of his survival kit on his back.
Fire blowing a bowl. Of course it has to be the biggest bowl possible.
We have also been doing some freediving. In fact this past weekend he spent the money he was saving for an X-box on a wet suit.
Man, it has been a long couple of months. It feels like every 2 steps we make forward we go back 1.9. I cant even count the hours I have spent dealing with teachers, principals, super intendants, police recently but every now and then I am amazed by some progress he makes. Really he is a great kid. He is generally very polite and respectful. He even works hard when asked right and is helpful. He just needs a lot right now.
Now maybe I shouldnt be posting pics of him or revealing so much personnal info on here but I am really a "lay your sh*t on the table and own it" kinda guy. Thank you MDP for your post. It gives me hope. To me sometimes survival is about overcoming lifes obstacles and sometimes wilderness skills can save your life in more ways than one.
Thanks
Matt
