Riding The Waves

Category: Kids

Just Call Me Chrissy

On the day I was born, I was Christine Anne Kamys. The last name, which is Polish, rhymes with famous. Everyone back then just called me Chrissy. And that, quite simply, was that. Chrissy Kamys. Sure, sometimes people rebranded my name to Chris or Kris or Christy or Kristy. Or CHRISTINE — if it was... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
May 31, 2017 at 10:07 pm •

Childhood anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts & obsessive behaviors. Mental illness or untreated infection? PANDAS and PANS, explained.

(This letter first appeared in article form on my LinkedIn page on 3/17/17. I composed and posted the piece only after consulting with — and receiving direct input and approval from — parents, physicians, legislators, medical advocates and international researchers from the National Institutes of Mental Health). An Open Letter To Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
April 1, 2017 at 7:56 pm •

I am not a doctor. I just need the ones who listen.

I am not a doctor, nor do I purport to offer any medical advice whatsoever. But as a mother and an advocate for Pandas/Pans Advocacy & Support, this post grew from a place of epic concern. Had you told me my 100th blog post would… 1) discuss a House Bill up for review in the... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
March 6, 2017 at 11:33 am •

Some Cold Ass Truth About My White Privilege

My ass is cold. The bees are swarming. Not a restroom in sight. And it’s only halftime. It’s the first game we’ve played against Deerfield, and we’re already getting crushed. Scanning the bleachers, there must be, what…Forty? Fifty of us? We are parents, grandparents, and dragged-along siblings, watching two middle school soccer teams on the Evanston Township High School football field. “C’mon, boys!”... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
February 22, 2017 at 11:18 am •

White Privilege And Systemic Racism In Suburban America

As organizers at New Trier High School defend a day-long diversity seminar, planned for February 28th, parents and alumnae like Francesca Gazzolo, Gracee Wallach, Mia Neumann and Cookie Belknap Fernandez openly address the school’s lack of diversity. Here’s a comparison of New Trier versus its longtime rival and neighbor to the south, Evanston Township High... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
February 16, 2017 at 2:43 pm •

New Trier Grads, Amidst Fierce Opposition, See Race As Nonpartisan Issue, Advocate For Discussion

As administrators and organizers at New Trier High School face fierce opposition toward its upcoming February 28th all-day seminar, Understanding Today’s Struggle for Racial Civil Rights, one vocal opposition group in particular, referring to itself as Parents of New Trier, created this website with the tagline, “Because New Trier’s All School Seminar Day is Biased,... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
February 16, 2017 at 2:43 pm •

The First Time I Felt Like A Grown Up

I’d been married just over a year. I think I was 24, 25 years old. I was living in Lakeview, in a garden apartment on Roscoe. My parents lived in Crystal Lake with my youngest sister, then 13 or 14. Our middle sister, 22 or 23, was in grad school, in Boston. Mom announced that... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
January 25, 2017 at 10:24 pm •

Boy, 13, Takes Own Life On Christmas Eve. The Press Release I Was Not Prepared To Write

I’ve written only two press releases in my life, both in the past 4 months, both covering a set of pediatric autoimmune disorders called PANDAS & PANS. Only one of those press releases — this one — brought me to my knees. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – January 5, 2017 — The national non-profit organization Pandas/Pans... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
January 6, 2017 at 2:02 am •

Heartbreaking Message of Hope to High School Students Day After Election

Today, following yesterday’s Presidential Election, Evanston Township High School Superintendent Dr. Eric Witherspoon shared a message of hope and belonging to students over the P.A. system, then to families via email. I believe every young person in America deserves to hear these words always — but especially today. Good morning, E-Town – This is Dr. Witherspoon. Once in a while... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
November 9, 2016 at 1:50 pm •

A Private, Mom-to-Mom Convo About Online Predators, Bullying And The Abyss Of Social Media

Maren’s younger daughter, then age 13, was communicating online with an individual in his 30s, claiming to be a teenager. Maren discovered this when she walked into the house one afternoon and found her daughter Skyping with the man. “What happened when you walked in?” I asked. I hardly knew this mom, but she’d reached out to me to share... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
November 7, 2016 at 12:12 pm •

◄ Previous page Next page ►