March 2021

MID-CENTURY MODERN in EAST MEMPHIS 1 9 4 0 s E R A C O T TA G E i n H I G H P O I N T

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

26 | HOME FEAT U R E Memphis artist Hank Gray and his wife Katherine turn to RKA Construction to bring new life into a neglected mid - century modern home.

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38 | DE S IGN Catherine Hyde, owner of Hyde Design & Renovation, and her husband Ian restore their High Point Terrace 1940s - era cottage.

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

MARCH 2021

home & design

26 HOME FEATURE Old House, New Life

40 DESIGN Well Thought Out

food

68 IN THE KITCHEN Sticky Asian Chicken Wings

for you 56 WEDDING

Mr. & Mrs. Barr Miller

64 HEALTHY YOU Safer-at-Home Household Cleaners

74 ON A GOOD NOTE Sin Child by Angela Howard

in every issue

14 PUBLISHER'S NOTE

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73 SOURCES

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MARCH 2021 • VOL. 19 NO. 12 PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com

MANAGING EDITOR AUBREY ANN MONGER | aamonger@athomemms.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER GINNI JONES | gjones@athomemms.com

COPY EDITOR TERRI GLAZER

IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT CHARLES REYNOLDS | cr@colorretouching.com

ADVERTISING SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE HILARY FRANKEL | hafrankel@comcast.net

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE GAIL HARRELL | gharrell@athomemms.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE CHRIS PUGH | chrisapugh@gmail.com

REGIONAL MARKETING JANA FITE HERBISON | jfherbison@gmail.com

BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TRIP MONGER | tmonger@athomemms.com

MARKETING AND CIRCULATION HARRIET W. DEATON | hdeaton@athomemms.com

HOW TO REACH US 320 SOUTH WALNUT BEND, SUITE 11 CORDOVA, TN 38018 | 901.684.4155 ATHOMEMMS.COM At Home Memphis & Mid South doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts. To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to—Editor, At Home Memphis & Mid South: 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 901.684.4155 or subscribe at athomemms. com. Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99. At Home Memphis & Mid South is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Memphis & Mid South, 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Trip Monger; At Home Memphis & Mid South, 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018 or to tmonger@athomemms.com.

@athomemagazine

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PUBLISHER'S

Note

This time of year I am usually getting excited for the warm temps and looking forward to all the fun things to do around the Mid South in the spring.

Well, I am writing this in the middle of the Siberian tundra we are stuck in and it is a toasty 12 degrees outside so I am searching deep for that feeling and the struggle is real! The words AT HOME literally have become our life this past year, as that is where we have all been confined. To ensure our continued entrapment, Mother Nature and Punxsutawney Phil teamed up and put a spell on us all living in the South. I am scared to see what April Fool’s Day might bring; maybe we should just take it off the calendar before things really get out of control.

While the last year, and especially the last few weeks, have been anything but what we’re used to around here, some things have remained unchanged, and that gives me cause for hope. One of those constants is Mid Southerners’ ability to make a thing of beauty out of something that was once passed over or even abused. We have outstanding examples throughout this issue. Both our Home Feature and our Design article this month focus on talented and creative homeowners who saw potential in vacant houses and turned them into showplaces. Also, our On a Good Note for March profiles a true survivor who has flourished in spite of a traumatic childhood and who now helps others find happiness after tragedy.

Like these remarkable Memphians, I’m trying to focus on the positive and remember that, eventually, spring will come. I truly hope and pray that happens much sooner than later and that you can enjoy reading future issues of At Home away from your home, in your favorite sunny spot with your family and friends, unmasked and smiling for all to see!

Margaret Monger, PUBLISHER

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H O M E F E AT U R E

old house, NEW LIFE Memphis artist Hank Gray and his wife breathe new life into a neglected mid-century modern.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

T

he distinctive modern-style house sat uninhabited

on a quiet East Memphis cove for years. Someone had purchased the property, had even had renovation plans drawn, but never did the work and never lived in the home.

The future didn’t seem bright for the Bauhaus-inspired structure, designed in the early 1970s by Bill Nixon, now partner emeritus at ANF Architects. That is, until the right buyers came along. Artist Hank Gray, his wife Katherine and their two young daughters had just moved home to Memphis after a stint in Dallas, and were on the search for their next home.

“We've always been drawn to mid-century modern architecture,” says Katherine, “but this renovation was going to be a huge project.” The fact that the original architect, Nixon, is a friend of the family tipped the scales in the house’s favor, though. “It made us feel like it was meant to be,” says Hank.

The Grays received the previous owners’ renovation drawings as part of the house purchase, but soon decided to move the renovation in a different direction in the interest of preserving as much of Nixon’s minimalist creation as possible. “They were really going to modernize it, kind of, to the point where it just didn't feel like the same house. They were going to raise the roof, but it just wasn't going to be feasible. This is how the home was built,” Katherine explains.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

O

nce the Grays decided to create their

own version of the remodel plan, they brought RKA Construction on board to make it a reality.

RKA project manager Hunter Cooper oversaw the work. Demolition started in August 2018 and the family moved in about 10 months later.

Nestled into a hillside, the house sits back from the street. Nixon’s original drawings called for a bridge over a low-lying section of the front yard leading to the front door. Although the bridge has yet to be built in the home’s half-century history, the Grays love the idea and hope to find a way to work it into the landscape eventually.

Just inside the front door is a roomy and bright entryway that showcases one of Hank’s large abstract paintings perfectly. The foyer leads to the home’s heart—the combination family room and kitchen. The Grays’ renovation plan included removing walls and replacing existing windows with the largest ones possible. The new floor-to-ceiling panes allow light to fill the room, even on a gloomy day, and provide views of the home’s distinctive courtyard and pool area.

Renovations in the kitchen were extensive and included expanding it, taking in the former laundry room and creating a scullery area behind the range wall. Flooring was a challenge the homeowners and Cooper overcame with a solution that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. When the Grays bought the house the kitchen floor was slate squares. Once those were removed workers found brick underneath. Taking out the brick was cost prohibitive, and installing tile over the top would have made the floors too high.

The answer? Cover the brick with a thin layer of concrete. Katherine says she couldn’t be happier with its looks, durability and ease of cleaning.

The lack of a space to put a kitchen table presented another quandary. The Grays opted instead for an extension to the kitchen island with a stunning waterfall effect and plenty of room for their family of four to enjoy a meal together.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

B

oth Katherine and Hank enjoy cooking, and their gourmet kitchen suits them perfectly. A large refrigerator and freezer, commercial grade cooktop, double ovens and generous amount of pantry space in the scullery allow them to whip up their specialities, including Hank’s duck enchiladas, with ease.

The home’s living areas underwent major renovations, as well. The Grays loved the original two-sided fireplace that separates the large den/dining room from a smaller, more formal space, but not the fieldstone treatment that covered it. Now finished in sleek white, the fireplace gives the room a much more sophisticated vibe, the perfect backdrop for the couple’s large collection of contemporary art. Along with Hank’s originals, works by Jeri Ledbetter, Mary Sims and Adam Geary and Ted Faiers grace the walls.

The floors were a happy surprise found during renovation. Existing pine flooring was warped and unusable, but underneath was original solid wood parquet in an intricate geometric pattern. Katherine loved the same floor that was in another room in the house and still remembers her excitement when Cooper texted her a photo of the unique flooring when workers discovered it in the living room.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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T

he master suite received a total overhaul, especially the master bath. Its design, featuring clean lines, rich woods and muted gold accents, evokes a peaceful vibe, but the installation induced more than a little stress for Katherine. An oversized glass panel separates the shower from the rest of the room. So oversized, in fact, that the installer told the Grays it was the largest single piece of glass he’d ever worked with. So oversized that the plumbing fixtures for the free-standing tub nearby had to be removed to put it in place.

Being built into a hill, the home has a large downstairs level, which also underwent extensive renovation to suit the needs of an artist and his family. The only square footage added to the residence in the project is a studio for Hank. It sits adjacent to the Gray girls’ playroom, largely the domain of the younger sister. The nine-year-old has inherited her father’s creative penchant and turned the space into a workroom where she loves to sew; hats and dog blankets are her specialty.

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B

ringing the long-empty house back to being not only an architectural and design showplace, but also a comfortable family home, was a labor of love for Katherine, who made all the design decisions for the project while also serving as a senior vice president at Independent Bank. She also had to spend time convincing her husband that the project was not only doable, but that it was right for them. A self-admitted doubter at the onset, Hank says he eventually came on board. “I'm glad we did it,” he says. “I love the architecture itself. I love the style of the home and I love that it was done by a Memphis architect.”

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DESIGN

DESIGN HYDE DESIGN & RENOVATION STORY TERRI GLAZER PHOTOGRAPHY STEVE ROBERTS 40 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2021

DESIGN

W

hen it came to renovating

their High Point Terrace home, Catherine and Ian Hyde were as focused on the process as much as the end result. The couple undertook the project as a personal journey that was to be relished.

To say that the classic 1940s-era cottage was neglected when they bought it would be an understatement. The front yard was so overgrown that the house was barely visible from the street, and the structure itself was “borderline uninhabitable,” as Catherine recalls. The young husband and wife went to work immediately to restore the home and add their personal stamp. While some might find such a large-scale restoration daunting, it was right in Catherine’s wheelhouse as the owner of Hyde Design & Renovation, a design-and-build company that delivers turnkey projects.

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DESIGN

T

he order in which they renovated was a bit unconventional, but, like every aspect of the

journey, it was intentional. Soon after they closed on the property Catherine decided to paint the exterior shutters, a task most contractors would wait to do until much later. It was important to her, though, to have a cheerful element to see in the midst of the disarray of demolition/ construction, a preview of the finished product. She applies this concept to Hyde Design projects regularly now. “You need something that gives you that immediate satisfaction, that feeling that it’s all going to be okay,” she says, recalling how, when she felt bogged down during the remodel, all it took to reassure her was a look at the freshly painted shutters.

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DESIGN

T

he couple wanted to bring the house into the modern era while retaining its vintage

character. To that end, they decided to leave the wall between the kitchen and living room intact rather than completely opening the floor plan. “I like the journey when you come in and you have a surprise,” Catherine says. And the completely reimagined kitchen is a lovely surprise. Changing the layout was a must-do, explains Ian, as the floor plan before necessitated moving the refrigerator before the dishwasher door could fully open. Every inch of the space is functional now, with clean, simple style and plenty of space for work and storage—much sought-after features in the small-scale kitchens found in older homes.

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DESIGN

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DESIGN

P

art of the redo

involved relocating the washer and dryer out of the kitchen, and the space the Hydes added to accommodate laundry is a perfect fit for their lifestyle. Both Catherine and Ian are marathon runners, and when they come home from a run, they can access both laundry and a shower directly inside the back door. The roomy walkin shower also comes in handy when their best friend, a goldendoodle named Addie, needs a quick bath.

Just off the kitchen and back entrance, Catherine’s office is an efficient and personal workspace. She replaced two awkward closet doors with sliding barn-style closures to maximize usable area and furnished the room with a mix of locally sourced furniture, refinished pieces from family, and items she and Ian made themselves.

Ian is an accomplished woodworker whose creations grace the entire house, from the headboard in the master bedroom to the custom bench and sofa table in the living room to the handsome builtin corner cabinets in the dining room.

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DESIGN

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DESIGN

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W

DESIGN

hile the Hydes’ decor includes

a variety of natural wooden elements, their love for organic materials in design goes beyond the use of wood. The house is filled with plants that function not only as decorative accents; the greenery serves a practical purpose, as well. Catherine has placed huge fiddle-leaf figs, many of which she grew from seedlings, strategically near windows to provide privacy. Outside a guest bedroom a window box is planted with jasmine trained to grow straight up. The natural green screen still allows light to fill the room and eliminates the need for heavy curtains.

The home’s dated bathroom received a major facelift. Catherine achieved that by taking out impractical storage bins and replacing them with custom built-in cabinets. Classic white subway tile walls pair perfectly with gray hex tiles on the floor and fixtures that are modern with a nod to the home’s original era. She even specified the location of the mix valves for the showers after careful thought. Because she wanted the shower or bath experience to be an enjoyable way to start or wind down a day, she specified that the controls be put on the wall away from the shower head so they can be adjusted without having to step into cold spray.

That level of thought goes into every project Catherine undertakes in her business, as well. She starts the design process by trying to understand each client’s personal taste and lifestyle. “We need to know how our clients function day to day,” she says, noting that this sometimes surprises customers who are anxious to get right down to the business of selecting paint colors and furnishings. Taking a slower, more thoughtful approach pays off ultimately, though, with a uniquely personalized finished product. “The more I get to know a client and what they need and their spaces, that will bring the finishes naturally.”

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DESIGN

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DESIGN

“We really do strive to create holistic, natural spaces and make it less about what you see on Pinterest or Instagram, because that can be discouraging, overwhelming,” she says. “It’s more about how your space is going to make you feel as opposed to what somebody else is doing. Well-designed spaces don’t rely on things or brands to make them beautiful or complete.”

C

atherine adds that she not only tries

to create homes that will lift clients up, she also seeks to make the actual construction process a positive experience. “It's easy [for clients] to get bogged down, so we have a very particular way that we construct and it's different from a lot of other contractors in the area,” she says. “We try to make it a calm and easily understandable process so that when it's done they don’t feel like they've just been worn out, worn down, and that their bank account has been worn down. We want them to look back on the journey as a positive experience and to feel that the end result is the space they desired.”

Well thought out, indeed.

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WEDDING

Anna Leigh Phillips & Barr Miller O C TO B E R 31, 2020 | M E M P H I S, T N

Parents of the Bride: Wendy & Rusty Phillips | Parents of the Groom: Tracy & Hugh Miller

REHEARSAL DINNER: FEDEX EVENT CENTER, SHELBY FARMS | WEDDING & RECEPTION: THE STRATTON HOUSE EVENT PLANNER: ED COLEMAN | FLORIST: JOHN MARK ENTERPRISES | PHOTOGRAPHER: PHOTOS BY TINDALL ENTERTAINMENT: AL PARIS AND THE HEARTBREAKERS | BAKER: MISS MUFF'N | INVITATIONS: RSVP STATIONERS CATERER: PARADOX | WEDDING DRESS: THE SENTIMENTALIST, ATLANTA | MAKEUP: KENDRICK SIMPSON

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WEDDING

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H E A LT H Y Y O U

Safer-at-Home Household Cleaners STORY MICHELLE JOHNS

the

last year has seen everyone spending more time at home. Home improvement stores, building and remodeling contractors, and interior decorators report having record earnings despite the pandemic.

Some local Goodwill stores are currently refusing to take item donations. It seems most people are doing a great job of cleaning out and sprucing up, but all this time at home has me curious about how indoor cleaning products and associated toxins may be impacting our health and wellbeing.

According to a 30-year study published by the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, common household cleaners can contribute to lung disease and asthma. The research compared the lungs of women who use household cleaning sprays on a daily basis to those of long-term heavy smokers. Additionally, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) gives common household cleaners such as Lysol, Tilex, Pine Sol, Cascade and Method an “F” with regard to safety. The group reports the cleaners are associated with higher risk for cancer, hormone disorders and respiratory issues. You can research popular cleaning products at ewg.org.

Toxins from everyday household cleaners can be found on nearly every surface of our homes.

We are exposed to the toxins through breath and touch. Everything we breathe in and touch with our skin makes its way into our body and bloodstream. While our bodies do an amazing job of breaking down toxins and discharging them, the more we tax our bodies with the work of processing toxic chemicals, the more likely we 64 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2021

are to create a toxic overload. This condition sets us up for chronic disease, hormone disruption, cancer, organ dysfunction (heart, liver and kidneys) and respiratory and neurological disorders.

The list of chemicals in everyday household cleaners is extensive. A few to be particularly aware of and reduce or eliminate your exposure to include: bleach; 2-butoxyethanol; butyl cellosolve; ethylene glycol butyl ether (EGBE); alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (c12-14); butoxydiglycol; cationic surfactants; nonionic surfactants; ammonium hydroxide; sodium hypochlorite; and hydrozincite. The aforementioned chemicals are found in popular and common household brands for cleaning and disinfecting the home; however, they are considered of high concern by the EWG as they contribute to major health concerns.

The impact of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) listed above is exacerbated when they are combined, as is often the case. For example, cleaning the kitchen often includes the use of a degreaser and all-purpose disinfecting spray cleaner for the countertops, a floor cleaner for the floors, and another cleaner for washing dishes. The effects of these toxic cleaners linger on surfaces and in the air as they become integrated in the tiny particles of dust in the air and on the surfaces of all the objects in our homes.

You can minimize the impact of indoor toxic chemicals by selecting safer cleaning products, making your own household cleaners and incorporating household plants that absorb toxic chemicals.

H E A LT H Y Y O U

House plants purify the air and are beneficial to your household health. Work plants into every room of your house, if possible. It is important to note, plants also re-release the toxins they absorb as a way of keeping themselves alive and healthy. For this reason, I often rotate my plants and set them outside to allow them to detox in fresh outdoor air.

Dracaena trifasciata is a very powerful plant. It absorbs many toxins and is a nice room accent.

Aloe vera absorbs toxins and is a great plant to have on hand for cuts and burns.

Peperomia obtusifolia minimizes dust and absorbs contaminants.

Peace lily and ficus plants lower levels of CO2.

Spider plant produces oxygen and absorbs carbon monoxide. *This is only a short list of beneficial houseplants and their benefits are broader than mentioned.

Safer products, as rated by the Environmental Working Group include Seventh Generation, Nine Elements, Arm and Hammer baking soda, Ecos and Dr. Bronner’s. Important to note, cleaning products

should contain as few ingredients as possible and the ingredient names should be easy to pronounce.

I often make the following homemade:.

All-purpose surface cleaner: 25 to 30 drops of lemon, eucalyptus or tea tree oil to 5 ounces of water and 5 ounces of white vinegar in a spray bottle.

Soft-scrub cleaner: ¾ cups of baking soda, ¼ cup of castile soap, 2 tablespoons of water, and 15 drops of lemon, eucalyptus or tea tree oil. Combine to form a paste. Use to clean and spray off with the allpurpose cleaner.

Floor cleaner: Equal parts water, white vinegar, and 99% rubbing alcohol with a few drops of essential oil.

Happy spring cleaning! I hope this article helps you create a safer home environment. For questions or comments, please email me at mjohns@ transforming-wellness.com. Additionally, you can follow me on Instagram and Facebook at Transforming Wellness.

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IN THE KITCHEN

Sticky Asian Chicken Wings

RECIPE & PHOTO MARY ALEXANDER SATTERFIELD 68 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2021

ST I C K Y AS I A N C H I C K E N W I NGS | serves four | IN GR E DI ENTS 1 ½ lbs. chicken wings ½ cup coconut aminos ¼ cup rice vinegar 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 Tbsp. sesame oil ½ tsp. garlic salt Red pepper flakes, to taste 1 Tbsp. Mike’s Hot Honey (found at Whole Foods, Sprouts, The Fresh Market and Kroger) 2 tsp. Sambal Oelek 1 Tbsp. water 1 Tbsp. tapioca starch Green onion, to garnish Salt and pepper, to taste

DIR ECTI ONS In a large bowl, season the chicken wings with salt and pepper. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp. sesame oil and toss to combine. Place seasoned wings in an air fryer. Cook at 370˚ for 25-30 minutes.

(Note: toss wings halfway through cooking to increase crispness.)

While the wings cook, make the sauce. In a small bowl, combine coconut aminos, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, garlic, 1 Tbsp. sesame oil, garlic salt, red pepper flakes, honey, sambal oelek, water and tapioca starch. Whisk to combine, pour in a small pot over medium-low heat. Bring sauce to a simmer and then turn heat to low. Stir constantly until sauce thickens.

Once the wings are finished cooking, pour the sauce over them immediately. Toss to combine and serve with fresh green onion, red pepper flakes and sesame seeds.

INSTAGRAM: @the_hungry_hooker FACEBOOK: @thehungryhooker COMING SOON: H U N G RY H O O K E R . C O M

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March SOURCES

HO ME F EAT U R E Special Thanks RKA Construction rka.build Stefanie Rawlinson Photography stefanierawlinson.com

DESIGN Special Thanks Hyde Design & Renovation hyderenovation.com

IN THE KITCHEN Special Thanks The Hungry Hooker @the_hungry_hooker

HEALTHY YOU Special Thanks Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com

ON A GOOD NOTE Special Thanks Angela Howard

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ON A GOOD NOTE

MEMOIR

illustrates tumultuous journey through childhood THEMES OF SURVIVAL, RESILIENCY SHINE IN ANGELA HOWARD’S IMMERSIVE BOOK

I want readers to know and understand that they do not have to be bound by the hurt and secrets many have to carry. I hope to liberate, empower and encourage others to let go of what keeps them bound. I want to encourage others to lift the veils of negativity so that their resiliency can have a chance to shine.

Many abused children survive and succeed, but few live without carrying the pain of their past buried in their heart. How do you cope with that pain?

I use distraction techniques to cope with the ongoing pain. Sometimes I don’t even

Angela Howard recounts how she persevered through her traumatic childhood to come

know I’m doing that, but things will start to come out in the form of flashbacks or night

out the other side as a successful nurse, motivational speaker, educator and parent. Sin

terrors. I try to stay busy with positive things. Doing things to help others understand

Child (March 31, 2020, Books Fluent) is the personal account of a strong-minded child

that the effects of trauma are real and helping them overcome the effects makes me

who endured a daily struggle to find the smallest amount of acceptance and, many

most happy. I can spend all day talking to others about their problems and not think of

times, a place to fall asleep at night. Howard came to accept loss, abuse and organized

my own.

crime as a natural part of her life. The innocence and nostalgia of a one-traffic-light town fades too fast for the cotton-top child with a neglectful, angry mother and an absent father.

The AIDS epidemic and simple abandonment repeatedly robbed Howard of friends and loved ones. This emotionally raw autobiography continues the national discussion about the role of childhood experiences in a person’s development. The author tells the riveting story of childhood trauma and abandonment, alongside a narrative of grit and determination.

It is a gutsy and insightful story without a silver lining. There is no knight in shining

What do you think needs to change regarding the treatment provided to children and teens who suffered from severe abuse that resulted in PTSD? I believe the first thing that needs to be done is classifying PTSD secondary to adverse childhood experiences as an ICD 10 coded diagnosis. This would allow facilities to be able to treat children and adults under this diagnosis, which would completely change the course of treatment in psychiatric facilities, jails and schools.

How did your life change when you were diagnosed with PTSD and received the tools to work through it?

armor to rescue the damsel in distress. The pages reveal the resiliency and maturity

My life changed drastically for the better after being diagnosed with PTSD. I had spent

of a child who becomes a strong and respected woman through her own resolve to

the majority of my teenage years and adulthood thinking I was crazy. I never understood

overcome extreme neglect and abuse. By sharing her own story with her readers,

why the nightmares and flashbacks would not go away. After being diagnosed with PTSD

Howard shows how self-reflection and knowledge, with a huge dose of perseverance,

and being given the tools essential for working through these issues, everything was

can entirely change the course of someone’s life.

better. My self confidence was boosted and I was able to gain a full understanding of

Angela Howard is a first-time author and the founder of PTSD-ACED Foundation, Inc. A registered nurse who has worked in the medical field for the past 20 years, she holds

why these things were not going away. Learning how to cope and deal with things on a daily basis made life much easier.

a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and certifications in Life Care Planning and Medical

What advice can you give to mothers seeking guidance on parenting after dealing

Case Management. Howard is highly impacted by the adverse effects of PTSD secondary

with their own ACEs?

to ACEs. Having overcome extremely adverse childhood experiences with the highest

I believe many mothers carry guilt feelings and an exaggerated feeling of bad things

ACE score of 10, her health has been adversely affected as she suffers from multiple

that happen being their fault. My first piece of advice would be not to be embarrassed

autoimmune disorders. Howard’s desire is to bring increased awareness of ACEs by

or ashamed. None of us can help what happens to us as children, but we do hold the

educating those affected and individuals in medical and educational fields.

power to change what happens to us in the future. I always encourage individuals to

What do you want readers to learn from your life experiences?

take the ACE test, to be honest with themselves, and to be sure their healthcare team is aware of their ACE score.

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