I am a starting my second year of graduate school to become a mental health counselor. I plan to work with children from low socio-economic backgrounds living in inner city Baltimore. I also hope to work with children struggling from mental health disorders or products of divorce. I am interested in these topics because I am a 'product of divorce' and was a child (now an adult) who suffers from mental illness and have lived through the detrimental effects it can have on someone's life. As a teenager and into young adulthood, I have suffered from OCD and anxiety, and more recently had the person who knew me best pass away suddenly (Cinco de Mayo, 2014). My hope is to one day be a counselor and outdoor adventure guide working to mentor young children so they may have the opportunity to learn the skills I did not. Hopefully, they can learn to employ appropriate emotional and behavioral skills while they are young to help them have a brighter future and easier time. I, however, am dealing with the effects of not having a positive influence for a portion of my life growing up. About a year ago now, after this friend passed away, I made a decision. I had already been in the process of truly discovering who I wanted to become, but I now had to put action into effect. I began to be much more open and friendly, in safe situations, to making new friends and having new experiences. I began to search and made travel plans. I have even lived out some of those travel plans! Example: (Check out: Ice Climbing in the Catskills with Travel channel here, http://thrivenyc.tv/video/take-bragging-rights-ice-climbing-in-the-catskills/#.VNotbOItFMo.mailto) My step has became a little lighter, and in every day I try to find an adventure. The epiphanies are almost continuous. I am becoming more passionate about the things I do, and it is showing. Yes, I am on psychotropic medication for my mental illness, but I still would not have been able to come to the logical rationalizations I have been able to without therapeutic assistance. So, as a self-guided and self-motivated research project (with no purpose in mind other than self-evaluation and improvement) I am sending myself out into the wilderness for fifteen days. For a girl who at one time was so anxious in her situation she felt the need to wash her hands 30+ times a day, this is an extremely intense and nerve-racking feat to set out on. I have two friends to hike with, but essentially will be alone with my dog the entire time. I alone will carry all my needed essentials for shelter and food, but due to weight constrictions- I'm not even planning to take soap. I have not decided yet if this is the best idea. Anyone who is interested in helping to fund me through this time of therapeutic improvement would be considered cometely and totally awesome!! I have alot of gear to pay off, like my ultralight big agnes (UL1) backpacking tent down to my trail shoes. Most importantly at this point, I will need to re-stock human food, dog food, and more TP for sure along the way! It'd be cool to snag a shower at a campground along the way too. Also, mail care packages can be donated, but please consult with me prior as there are specific guidelines to shipping for an AT traveler and again, because of weight, everything has to be packaged UL (ultralight). Just trying to figure out another 'peace of my puzzle'. Much love and appreciation all around!Jauntlet.comhttps://jauntlet.com/The start on a journey of self discovery!https://jauntlet.com//61119https://jauntlet.com//61119Thu, 14 May 2015 08:00:00 -0400