Hudson Valley Parent

HVP Dec 2014

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hvparent.com ■ Hudson Valley Parent 23 said. "We all support each other, and just knowing we're going through the same thing makes us feel like human beings who can heal and be better moms, not tragically flawed people who should just leave their families." As part of Warren's recovery, she has made it her mission to educate other mothers suffering from PPD — and the children and partners who love them and want them to get better. Now living in Holmes, she volunteers for Postpartum Progress (a nonprofit to help families deal with PPD) works to publicize PPD fund-raisers and generally runs around the Hudson Valley in a grass-roots, unofficial capacity as a one-woman PPD-fighting machine. Heather Dell'Amore Heather Dell'Amore says she first realized she might have PPD when she filled out a questionnaire for her insurance company and realized how grim feeling she had become. "I distinctly remember shutting down when she asked about the last time I had laughed," says the Pough- keepsie mother of 2-year-old twins Coraline River and Lily Ryan. "That was my moment, my epiphany. If I had fullness of mind, I would have realized I was suffering from depres- sion much sooner. I remember read- ing somewhere that it only takes 48 hours of no sleep to 'go crazy.' In the first few weeks of my twins' lives I had not slept more than 15 minutes a day. I went weeks without proper sleep, nourishment, or the will for either of those things." Dell'Amore, an academic advisor at Dutchess Community College, lost her appetite and her desire to read and write or otherwise engage in the activities that normally filled her with joy and contentment. When her twins were about 3 months old, she joined a support group called Adjustments to Mother- hood. She started seeing the moder- ator of the group for psychotherapy, and after a few months of intense introspection and work on herself (Continued on Page 24) Mariah Warren now volunteers for Postpar- tum Progress and works to publicize PPD fundraisers throughout the Hudson Valley. Mill Street Loft Register Now for Spring Classes Call 845-471-7477 MillStreetLoft.org A recent study by snap.indiana.edu reveals that although top employers throughout the nation are actively seeking creative minds, there are simply not enough creative people in the job market. "We know business executives are seeking creative people to solve complex problems, and without a doubt, this ability is directly related to par- ticipation in the visual arts," says Todd Poteet, director of the Art Institute at Mill Street Loft. If you're looking to give your creative chance to develop creative skills, don't miss class sign-ups at Mill Street Loft. This spring, MSL will be offering a variety of courses for individuals age 4 and up. Whether you're just beginning to draw or you're a master sculptor, Mill Street Loft has something for you! What's New at MSL? Character Design! Mill Street Loft has developed a brand new class your kids will be begging to take. Students in this course develop a unique char- acter of their own design. The class combines story board creation, prop and costuming, as well as sculpting. At the end of the course, students will have a 1/5 scale model of their character to take home, mimicking the creative process for 3D animations. Does my kid belong at MSL? "Our students often tell me they've found their home at Mill Street Loft," says Poteet. "The best thing about Mill Street Loft is that we give our students the freedom to express themselves rather than editing down their artistic voice." Mill Street Loft's students are diverse, representing 37 area schools. This diversity affords MSL students the opportunity to develop lasting friendships with other like- minded artistic kids from a wide range of backgrounds. Why choose MSL? "All of our classes are taught by award-winning, working art profes- sionals who are locally and nationally renowned," says Poteet. Each teacher at Mill Street Loft brings unmatched experience to the classroom and men- tors students in order to develop their creativity and artistic vision. Please visit MillStreetLoft.org for more information about available classes. Todd Poteet of Mill Street Loft explains the intricacies of one-point persepective to a young artist. Expand your child's artistic horizon at Mill Street Loft.

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