Cathren is a community collaborative artist who has been working with the Community Libraries of Providence and other non-profits since 2012, developing arts and literacy programs and creating public art installations. She has been an artist in residence at Hattie Ide Chaffee Home since 2023, implementing visual arts and health programs with seniors and dementia patients. Website: ArtHouseRI.com
My sister recently came for a brief visit over Christmas. She is mentally ill, some times more in control than others. This year, she was so difficult I had a hard time being in the same room with her. She always had to have her own way or she yelled. She kept following me around […]
What does your doctor do when he or she is sick? Surprisingly, when it comes to their own health, doctors face many of the same struggles their patients do. You would think that because they are acting members of the medical establishment they would have easy access to health insurance, but they don’t. Some might […]
Dear C and Dr. B; It’s the holidays and at our house, it’s a bit of a bipolar affair. My dad is Jewish and my mom Catholic, which makes us a Chrismukkah or Festivus kind of family. My dad says both ways are derivative of winter solstice. But I know that Hanukkah deals with freedom […]
It’s the week before Christmas and you have no time to shop, but there are people on your list who deserve a gift that tells them they are special. I know just the thing – and you can get it online without leaving the comfort of your home. There is absolutely nothing better on a cold […]
Dear C and Dr. B; On Saturday at 3pm I received a frantic call from my 14-year-old daughter, who was home alone while we were out. There was someone at the door, ringing the doorbell a lot! She said a red minivan was parked in our driveway. She was huddled in her room with the […]
Christmas Day may be a time for many of us to relax and enjoy festivities and food with family and friends, but for medical workers, it’s often just business as usual. Illness doesn’t take a holiday; in fact, for those in the medical profession, the holidays are often the busiest time of the year. Emergency rooms […]
Dear Dr. B: I have been researching mushrooms and read that there are some that can help with my depression better than the medications that doctors keep trying to give me. What are your thoughts about these? They are not only free, but grow in the woods behind my house. Backwoods Bob Dear Bob: […]
Dear C and Dr. B; As a mother, I am deeply affected by the recent headlines — more mass shootings and calls from our president to have armed guards to protect every religious organization and school. My daughter attends a religious school, and I fear sending her to school tomorrow. I hate the uncertainty and […]
The 2018–2019 flu season is upon us and every pharmacy in the state has signs up urging people to get vaccinated. There was a small line when I dropped by CVS at 12:45pm. I asked the man in front of me, “Here for the flu shot?” He grimaced. “I never used to get them, but […]
Dear C and Dr. B; I’m in my third year of undergrad. Last weekend at a party, I admit that both myself and my date, Sandra, had too much to drink. We ended up doing it in the coat room, which was probably a bad idea, but she was as much into it as I […]