Tread Softly

I am very shy about sharing this story. I wrote it years ago, during an intimate, dreamy time in my life. My son Robby had been seizure free for a year and I was starting to let down.

Cultivating my spiritual life is one of my primary ways of coping; I feel safest in the sacred. During this time, my psyche was especially interactive with the pantheon of goddesses, angels and energies I connect and converse with daily to get through. I channeled a muse who encouraged me and I began writing, starting this blog.

I began writing to Robby, to tell him my story — our story as pediatric cannabis pioneers. For inspiration, I reread Genesis and started sitting with Eve. I knew she could relate to taking risks, confronting taboo, living on the fringe and having more sense than those in authority. Together we wrote Eve’s Return.

I gave our story to a friend for her zine about Wise Woman Herbalism but was relieved when it never went to print. I felt too vulnerable. My intention then was just to make one copy to give to our son as a keepsake, so he would know what we went through and how exceptional he is. Because the writing process had also been uniquely visual for me, I knew I needed Rob’s illustrations. Robby’s dad is a brilliant artist.

My experience as the special needs mother of a pediatric cannabis patient has been traumatic, sacred and transformative. Eve’s Return is an intensely personal story, but it’s not unique. We’ve all taken risks to get here. So when I’ve been brave and read it to other families like ours, there’s been a deep understanding and connection — something I always need.

Consider yourself warned, my general orientation to the world and beyond could be considered fairly woo-woo by some more mainstream. However, you still may relate if you and your child have also been out here. At minimum, I hope you feel less alone.

So I’m taking a deep breath, placing my hand on my heart and making Eve’s Return available for sale here.

My ultimate hope is that your pioneering family will feel seen and honored for your bravery and contribution to one of the greatest advancements in modern medicine. And that your children will always know how incredible they are.

From my heart to yours,
Allison

Dear Robby,

I’ve been needing to tell you something important about yourself. Since you love stories as much as I do, I thought I would explain it that way.

I wrote a story about you because I want you to know how special you are. I want you to know that you are brave and strong and have done something very incredible.

You have changed the world.

I’m not sure you know this about yourself. We talk about “the oil” you take that is made from cannabis. You know it’s why you don’t have seizures anymore. But I don’t think you know what this means.

It means that you, and all the other children who first tried the oil, have changed modern medicine forever. Doctors didn’t really know that cannabis could make seizures stop until they did in all the brave kids like you. Now scientists and researchers are learning more about how and why cannabis oil works so they can help more sick children around the world.

You are all heroes.

So I wrote down our journey, exactly how it happened, so we won’t ever forget how we got here and the incredible part held by the children.

I love you so much and am so proud of you,
Mama