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Jul 13
in Artist Books, Uncategorized, Words

‘Please Stand Clear of the Closing Doors’ – the story of a couragous young man.

For some reason, I have been asked 3 times in the past week about our son’s accident; and people being inspired by James’ bravery because he is back-packing by himself for four weeks in Europe and recently drove a vintage car from London to Capetown with Max.

I was asked what happened, how he lost his leg, and how we managed….and the best way I could think to answer them was to email them a copy of my story…which I made into an artist book…and was my way to process the three months in hospital after his accident. Perhaps it is time now to share it with others – other than my closest friends…(and yes my friends – you have read this story and been through this ordeal with us as well.)

Please feel free to share James’ story with whomever you think may be inspired by his courage and incredible philosophy and approach to life.

“On November 22nd 2009, three sentences; controlled and direct; sounds uttered through the phone that every parent dreads to hear. “Are you James’ mum? He has been in an accident. You need to come quickly…” This is the moment when our hope and optimism began to be challenged, yet we clung on to them like a raft in a wild ocean……”

Click the link below to continue reading my story about this incredible young man.

Please stand clear of the closing doors_James Accident story with pics_julie stephenson

photo (1)

 

James-in-ICU_-December-2009-

 

 

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About the Author: Julie
I am a Journeywoman. I live my life as an explorer. An adventurer. An Observer. An Artist. There is no differentiation between how I live my life and the art that is an expression of it. It is through my experience adventuring the unknown, that I learn more about myself. My aim through this connection is to live where my expression is fully in alignment with the essence of who I am. “In the field of Fine-Art Photography, Julie stands apart from others with the way she sees the world and expresses her connection within it. Julie Stephenson’s photographs are sublime. Her work is an expression of her deep connection; and a gift to the world.”

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2 Comments:

  1. juliehollandphotography
    July 13, 2012
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    Friend of Tina Bartley here, read your story thinking of my youngest son, how brave your boy must be, and as a mother I could only try to imagine how you felt. I hope your boy has the best future he can have ahead of him
    Julie

    • Julie
      July 14, 2012
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      Hello Julie, Thank you for your kind thoughts. I know we ALL have these situations in our lives. We are no different than any other family. We ALL have to deal with similar situations and we all cope in the same way…. by rolling up our sleeves and just doing what you have to do… and you don’t even think about it when you’re in it. Sometimes though it may be a bit hard to find that little extra ‘bit’ to get thoguth something – and I sensed that by sharing James’/my/our story..it may serve to help others.

      I hope your son has as good an outcome as our boy has. I’m not aware of your circumstances sorry. I too wish him well. Yes..as a mum it was pretty ….hmmm… words can’t describe… but also the joy and gratitude that he is still alive without any brain/spinal injuries..and is now travelling by himself either in hostels or castles and mansions in France and Belgium with friends he met on his vintage car rally through Africa with Max earlier this year. James lives life to the fullest… and is truly an inspiration to me… and I wanted to share his story so that perhaps others may also benefit from seeing what is possible.


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skeinydipping

I looked down and saw my hands. Hands which have t I looked down and saw my hands. Hands which have touched; have loved; have created; have worked; have nurtured. My hands.   

I looked down and saw on my wrist and fingers items from around the world which have so many stories; items which have all been created from the heart and made by the hands of others. 

I looked down and saw beautiful yarn. Yarn which has been handled carefully through shearing, dyeing, skeining, balling; and now being knit in my beautiful hands. 

My hands are one of my gifts. This year I’ve really missed the touch of another with my hands, to feel the heart of another through my fingertips; but so grateful and love my hands which touch and feel; work and play!

What do you see when you look at your hands?

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Knitting a fabulous  #slipstravaganzamkal by @westknits .
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#gratitudeattitude #westknitsarethebestknits #westknitsmkal2020 #knittersofinstagram #knittersoftheworld #knittersofaustralia #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #handmade #handmadejewellery #fromtheheart #createeveryday #livetotravel #healing #healinghands #creativehands
My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories. I’ve had adventures on all continents. Slept being rocked by the sea; felt the ice on my skin in both polar regions, and felt the silence of the deserts. I’ve walked stone steps in monasteries at altitudes where each step I’ve taken consciously and mindfully; focussing on treasuring every molecule of oxygen in the rarefied atmosphere. 

COVID has paused those adventures, but I draw upon my experiences as I navigate adventuring my days in a different way, on our ‘home range’. 

I recall my steps in Tibet as I walk through our bushland. I am mindful and conscious of my surroundings. I listen. I feel. I feel happy here. I am content.

My new stories may not hold the same experiences of connection with others; and may not be of extreme challenges or crazy things  (which I am rather prone to doing! 🙂 ) but they are not less wondrous… as I smell the warm eucalyptus waft from under my feet. 

I weave my stories, and this story is of my personal journey on my daily walk through our bushland. 
You can see some of my other woven stories on my website - link in profile. 

How do you express your life’s stories?
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#weaversofinstagram #indiedyedyarn #indiedyed #rigidheddleloomweaving #ashford #inspiredbynature #contentcreator #emotionalbalance #homedeco #handcrafted #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #wellbeing #travellerlife #journeywoman #weavingaustralia
“....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those “....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those times in your life when you need a meditative and healing knit. Assookinakii (ass-s-oo-kin-uh-k-EE) means ‘healer’ in the Blackfeet language, thank you to Cut Woods School in Browning, MT for the tradish language support”. –  Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers 

Knitting this beautiful cowl by Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers for @sistersunitedmt ; WAS healing. 

As my hands gently formed the repetitive stitches I reflected on the word ‘Assookinakii ‘ - healer. I am a healer. I don’t understand it. It’s something unseen. Something within me which has been recognised by Ngangkari and ‘clever men’ here in Australia; and shaman and healers around the world as we travel. This recognition always has caught me by surprise; as I seem to walk a line between two worlds. 

As the stitches slipped from one needle to another and the beautiful colours of @spincycle_yarns revealed themselves; in the pauses between the stitches I heard a voice whispering to continue to seek connection with the natural world and listen deeply. 

What has been healing for you this year?
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#healingjourney #meditationpractice #dyedinthewool #assookinakii_cowl #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #livinglifetothefullest #happydays #shaman #healer #healersofinstagram #listentoyourheart #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld
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2017 All photographs created by and property of Julie Stephenson.