• THE CHRISTMAS SHIPS PARADE: A Treasured Tradition, p. 10
• LIKE CHILD, LIKE PARENT: When Neurodivergence Diagnosis Comes Late in Life, p. 18
• COMMUNITY EVENTS: Holiday Family Fun All Around Town, p. 22
•
FEATURE ARTICLES
The Christmas Ships Parade: A Treasured Tradition:
As the Christmas Ships Parade celebrates 70 years of spreading holiday cheer, learn how the group was founded and what it takes to produce the magic.
Sky High: Youth Aviation Programs Prepare Kids to Soar
With pilots and aviation experts in high demand, the sky is the limit for youth who want to learn to fly. Check out local programs that are giving them wings.
Like Child, Like Parent: When Neurodivergence Diagnosis Comes Late in Life
In the process of supporting their child through a neurodivergent diagnosis, many parents experience a revelation: they, too, might have the same condition.
Of Magic and Monsters
In Rick Riordan’s wildly popular YA fantasy series, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” the titular character experiences ADHD, but instead of the condition being a disability, it becomes his superpower as he faces off with ancient powers of both good and evil. In the first book, “The Lightning Thief” (Disney Hyperion, 2006) Percy’s fellow “half-blood” (half human, half god) Annabeth, guesses correctly that Percy has previously been diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. “The letters float off the page when you read, right?” Annabeth says. “That’s because your mind is hardwired for ancient Greek. And the ADHD—you’re impulsive, can’t sit still in the classroom. That’s your battlefield reflexes. In a real fight, they’d keep you alive. As for the attention problems, that’s because you see too much, Percy, not too little.” Framed this way, Percy starts to see who he really is, and to use his natural abilities to save the world.
We may not be tasked with confronting Hades in the Underworld or fighting literal monsters to protect ourselves and those we love, but many of us experience natural tendencies that seem to go against the grain. Sometimes these tendencies require therapy and medication to manage and create a fulfilling life. Other times, life could become much more workable if the systems and individuals around us adapted to our way of moving through life. Taken together, these two ingredients have the potential to work magic (and maybe even slay metaphorical monsters) in our families and communities.
In this issue, read about the holiday magic The Christmas Ships have been creating for 70 years (page 10), check out how youth are taking flight with the help of local aviation professionals and pilots (page 14) and learn how parents are rediscovering themselves after being diagnosed with ADHD or autism late in life (page 18).
Longview brothers Bradyn (16) and Jaceyn (9) are described by their mom as “extremely kindhearted and loving” boys who enjoy exploring the beautiful outdoors of the PNW. They come from a close-knit family of six whose lives and values, their mom says, are grounded in their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Photo by Marie Pham Photography
Photo by Caley Marston Sweet Abandon Photography SweetAbandonPhotography.com
Notable News, Events & Efforts in Clark County
Woodland Welcomes New Library
NOVEMBER 2024
Residents of northern Clark County and Cowlitz County, and particularly those who love to read, recently celebrated the grand opening of a brand-new, expanded Woodland branch of FVRLibraries (FVRL). The building was decades in the making, says FVRL marketing and communications coordinator, Janet Alder.
public changed, the building began to feel very small for everything happening there.” Alder says the Woodland Community Library building fund really began with a generous $115,000 bequest from the estate of Margaret ‘Maggie’ McQuarrie in 2004. With this kickstart, Friends of Woodland Community Library and the FVRL Foundation worked for years to raise additional funds to support the new library project, and FVRL acquired the property site in 2017. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in June 2023, and
Starbird Theatre Starts Up in Vancouver
There can never be enough theater in Vancouver. That’s how a group of actors felt in the autumn of 2023 when they formed Starbird Theatre. The following summer of 2024 was a busy one for the troupe, as they performed “The Great Gatsby A Live Radio Show” in June, “The Tale that Wagged the Dog” in August and “For the Love of Dog” in September. Most of the shows are being performed at the Washington Grange on Ward Road in Vancouver, with the exception of “The Tale that Wagged the Dog,” which was performed at Vancouver Arts and Music Festival. “One of the fun things about not having a building is we can perform anywhere,” says Starbird’s artistic director, Gina George. “It opens a world of possibilities.” Rehearsals are being held at the theARTScentered building on Mill Plain, the former site of FVRLibraries’ headquarters. George says the best part of their most recent production was “bringing fantastic actors from all of the Vancouver metro area theaters together to perform, laugh and play together.” Many of the group’s actors and crew members have performed at Love Street Playhouse, Twilight Theater and Magenta Theater. Right now, the group is preparing for a holiday production of old-time radio shows and an upcoming four-show 2025 season. Learn more about upcoming theater productions from Starbird Theatre at starbirdtheatre.com
construction began October 16, 2023. The new Woodland Community Library’s grand opening was held almost exactly one year later, on October 12, 2024. Visitors can expect a much larger space—the new library is more than triple the 2,376 square feet of the former building at 7,560 square feet. This space now accommodates more programming and offerings, including large and small rooms for meetings and study, separate areas for children, teens and adults, public computers and spaces to use personal laptops and devices, comfortable seating indoors and outdoors and an enhanced collection of library materials. The library’s adult reading area is named in honor of Maggie McQuarrie’s generous gift. Find the new library at 411 Lakeshore Dr., Woodland. Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 10 am-6 pm.
The new Woodland Community Library celebrated its grand opening last month, after two decades of fundraising, preparation and building.
Photo courtesy FVRLibraries.
Starbird Theatre’s first production was “The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Show,” performed in June 2024. Pictured top: Jasper Braceley, David George and Olivia Butterfield. Pictured bottom: David Ian and Luke Dowell. Photos by Stephanie Roberts of Fetching Photos.
Check out our
NOVEMBER HOME BUYER CLASS DATES:
In-person classes held at Marshall Community Center Conference Room 1009 E McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)
Email traciedemars@aol.com for virtual classes Zoom link.
Winter Ready & Client Appreciation
Are you looking at your utility bills? I mean... of course, you are looking at your bills... you’re paying them, right? You are looking at how much you need to pay (& cringing like the rest of us), but are you looking at your usage? Why is this important?
I looked at my water usage this month and noticed that the usage seems a bit higher for this past month. Like you, my electric and water usage fluctuates depending on the time of year Summer does tend to have higher water usage as I am trying to keep my flowers alive, and we need to water our goats and sheep. However, even for all of that... the water usage was high. The nice thing about our water bill is that it also shows the water usage last year during this time, and for 2022 as well, and yep... we were quite a bit higher this year. Our water is through Clark PUD so I gave them a call.
If you feel your utility usage is unusually high you can always call the utility company and ask them to check it out. Clark PUD is wonderful. They sent out a very nice gentleman who came out and checked my water meter.
When there is no water turned on in your home, check your meter. If the meter is moving (or the red dial is spinning), it means you have a leak somewhere.
Ok... bad news... I have a leak.
The good news... because I monitor my utility usage, we can get this taken care of sooner rather than later. With over 20 years in Real Estate, I can tell you that little things can easily turn into big-ticket things if they are not taken care of when they are little things. Deferred maintenance is the doom of many a home inspection...
Continue reading and learning more at www.LearningToBuyAHome.com or www.FreeSellerClasses.com
We would love to be the ones you call when you are thinking about buying, or selling, or refinancing, and we hope that you will. However, the classes are non-promotional, and informational only. Don’t want to go to the website? (Hey! It has other awesome blogs & ideas on there too!) You can always email me at traciedemars@aol.com and I will email you the schedule.
...REal Talk with Tracie...
Feature: The Christmas Ships Parade: A Treasured Tradition for 70 Years
The
Parade: A Treasured Tradition for 70 Years
By Catherine Stacks
hen you mention “Christmas Ships” to a Clark County resident, most will probably think of the beautiful display of ships that sail every December and bring joy to so many.
To Vancouver resident Doug Romjue, a 33year Christmas Shipper and former leader of the Columbia River Fleet, it truly makes his Christmas every year.
“I’ve always told people, if you ask someone to come over to your house during the holidays, they pretty much are always busy. If you ask if they would like to join us in the Christmas Ships Parade the answer is almost always ‘How many people can I bring?’ It’s a tradition,” Romjue said.
The tradition continues this year, as the annual Christmas Ships Parade is celebrating its 70th year. The parade, which started in 1954, is a staple of the holiday season and brings tidings of joy to the waters of the Greater Vancouver/ Portland area.
The Christmas Ships Parade is more than just awe-inspiring ships. This event is made possible by dedicated volunteers and support from the local community. “Nobody gets paid or supported financially for doing this. We volunteer our time and fuel to help make this happen each year,” Romjue said.
Vancouver residents Kim and Steve Osgood knew there was something special about the
Christmas Ships Parade when they signed up as interested participants at a boat show in January 2021. In October 2022, they went to a casual meet and greet with experienced captains and decided to participate, finding that the community was warm, welcoming and eager to give advice about the process and experience.
“The very first night we were anxious, but prepared and ready. Once we started to parade, got into a rhythm and saw all the crowds of people on shore at the parks, or parties on the floating home, or at the waterfront hotels, it was exhilarating to see the excitement. Spectators were cheering and waving lighted wands and it was all we needed to know this was providing joy to others,” Kim explained.
A special highlight for the couple is inviting guests to be on their boat for a parade evening.
“One of the parades we had a few guests that we didn’t really know all that well,” she shared. “When they arrived to join us, they were literally like kids on Christmas morning excited to be on a Christmas Ship. They could not have been more excited. That gets us excited and confirms that simply taking the boat out to parade at Christmas is something that our community loves.”
President and Columbia Fleet leader Kat Pettersen’s journey with the Christmas Ships began in 2017 when she saw an ad. “At the time
my husband was an Ocean Tugboat Captain with an Oceans Master License,” Petterson shared. “I reached out to Christmas Ships and joined with the intent to parade only one night. We had so much fun, we were hooked! We love inviting friends and family to ride along.” She continued, “In 2019 we were able to parade all 15 nights. At the end of the parade season and right after Christmas, we wanted to do more parading, and the Lower Columbia Christmas Ships was born. We continue to be avid Christmas Shippers and talk to anyone who will listen about joining, watching and supporting Christmas Ships.”
To honor the Christmas Ships’ 70th year, Pettersen has been talking to locals to get more history and stories about the event. “On the docks last year as we were interviewing people, a gentleman approached me and said his grandmother was a Christmas Ship skipper in the very early days. He remembered she had made a lighted reindeer display with movable legs. He and other children were in the bottom of the boat manually moving the legs. Those were the days!”
Of course, throughout the duration of its 70-year run, there were bound to be some hardships. “When COVID hit, everyone asked if Christmas Ships were still going to parade,” Pettersen said. “We looked at each other and said ‘Of course!’ Christmas Ships is what the
continued on page 12
Christmas Ships parade along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in December, with crowds watching and cheering from homes, shorelines and restaurants.
Photos courtesy Christmas Ships Parade (far left) and Kim Osgood.
world needs. Something to remind us of joy, childhood memories, happier times and hope for the future. That’s what Christmas Ships has always meant to us. Joy and hope, and we are thankful that we can share that with everyone who sees us.”
Some residents like Janet Alder look forward to the parade all year. “Our family watches the Christmas Ships every year when they come to the Port of Camas-Washougal in early December. We look forward to the event each year. For us, it’s the start of the holiday season,” she said.
The Alders have even created their own traditions around viewing the parade. “We have a historic locomotive horn that we started blowing at the end of the parade. We always get a response from the siren on the boat decorated as a fire engine, which is usually at the end of the line.”
The Alders are not the only ones. Washougal resident Ashley Schlauch and her family have a pact to watch the Christmas ships every year, no matter what. “One year, my husband and I were doing separate things before the Christmas Ships, so we were planning to meet up. Unfortunately, his car broke down, so we had to go rescue him . . . the kids were still convinced we had to go to the ships. Although they were just about heading down the river, we rushed down to the docks and were able catch the last few ships,” she said.
The tradition of watching the Christmas Ships began when Schlauch was young and has stayed with her throughout her adult life. Watching the Christmas Ships has led to many memorable moments for her whole family. “To us, it is an experience that has created so many memories . . . remember that one time at the Christmas Ships when it rained so hard on us? Or when the wind almost blew us away? The kiddos remember those moments,” she shared.
Here’s to 70 more wonderful years of Christmas Ships memories and traditions.
Catherine Stacks is a writer, editor and content manager living in Clark County. She earned her M.A. in journalism at the University of Southern California and her B.A. in Communications at Washington State University. After starting her career in Southern California, she moved back to Washington in 2021. She enjoys frequenting local restaurants and exploring what the area has to offer with her family. continued from page 10
2024 Christmas Ships Columbia Fleet Schedule
Dec 5, 2024 7 pm Vancouver Waterfront
Dec 6, 2024 7 pm North Portland Harbor
Dec 7, 2024 6 pm Camas/Washougal
Dec 9, 2024 7 pm M. James Gleason Boat Ramp Washington Shores/Wintler Park
Dec 10, 2024 7 pm Vancouver Waterfront/Hayden Bay
Dec 11, 2024 7 pm I-205/Steamboat Landing/164th Ave
Dec 13, 2024 7 pm Vancouver Waterfront/Hayden Bay
Dec 14, 2024 6 pm St. Helens/Columbia City
Dec 15, 2024 4:30 pm Scappoose/Multnomah Channel
Dec 17, 2024 7 pm Vancouver Waterfront/Hayden Bay
Dec 18, 2024 7 pm I-205/Steamboat Landing/164th Ave
Dec 19, 2024 7 pm North Portland Harbor
Dec 20, 2024 7 pm M. James Gleason Boat Ramp/ Washington Shores/Wintler Park
Dec 21, 2024 4:30 pm Lake Oswego
Dec 21, 2024 8 pm
Dec 22, 2024 2 pm
Meet & Greet at Public Dock near RiverPlace Marina
Meet & Greet at Public Dock near RiverPlace Marina
Dec 22, 2024 5 pm St. Johns Bridge/Cathedral Park Find the Willamette Fleet schedule at christmasships.org.
Angel Boat.”
Top: Ashley Schlauch and her family love watching the Christmas Ships on the river every year. Photo courtesy Ashley Schlauch. Bottom: Pete Petterson used an angel lawn figure as a model to create a much taller lighted angel for his family's Christmas Ship, nicknamed “The
Photos courtesy Kat Petterson.
By Emily Corak
In the past few years, a pilot shortage has drastically impacted the aviation and travel industry. Bob Martilla, a local pilot and member of Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), says, “We are running out of people in aviation: mechanics, technicians, pilots, engineers.” He continues, “The whole aviation business is in the same flux that the rest of the economy is, but in aviation that is a critical problem. Unless we introduce youth to aviation one-on-one this can’t be turned around.”
With an intense demand for pilots and aviation professionals, the need for young people interested in the field is greater than ever. The rigorous and financial demands of flying, however, can create an immense hurdle, and many young prospective pilots don’t know where to start. Thankfully, Southwest Washington is rich with local programs and resources to send them on their way.
From Ground School to Earning Wings
For Juliette D., 2024 is the year she graduated from Washougal High School and earned her private pilot’s license. “My dad has his pilot’s license and has always loved aviation, so I’ve grown up around it,” she says. When
SKY HIGH: Youth Aviation Programs Prepare Kids to Soar
Cascadia Tech Academy presented their various opportunities at her high school and she learned about their aviation program, her interest was piqued. She was questioning the logistics of making it work when her best friend stepped in and said, “I can tell you want to do this. You should figure it out.”
Cascadia Tech offers tuition-free career and technical education in 18 program areas to juniors and seniors in Southwest Washington. The Aviation Science and Technology program accepts 120 first-year students and 40 of the highest performing students can return for a second year. Instructor Kim O’Neal says, “I would keep them all if I could!” Students are admitted via their sending school based upon slots that are allocated to member school districts. Instructor Rob Reinebach shares, “We aim to be the premier pathway into the aviation industry for our students. Our goal is to ensure that every eligible student with a passion for airplanes knows that we are a great option for them.”
Aviation students’ days typically consist of time in the classroom, using high tech simulators, team building, learning the mechanics and physics of airplanes
and getting a solid foundation in aviation groundwork. “Our golden bucket list item is to add flying to the program,” says O’Neal. Students complete pilot ground school training and are eligible to take the written portion of their private pilot exam.
For Juliette, her time in Cascadia Tech saved her money for pilot ground school and provided networking opportunities and connections. She ended up earning $8,000 in scholarships which she used toward her flight training through FLYIT Academy in Camas. After her first discovery flight in June of 2023, she said, “I loved it and just wanted to keep doing it as much as possible.” In September of this year, she earned her private pilot’s license at age 17. Juliette is now attending Green River Community College in Auburn, working toward her Bachelor’s of Aeronautical Science and plans on becoming an airline pilot. One of the major perks of completing two years of Cascadia Tech, says O’Neal, is the transferrable credits to Green River and walking out of high school with a nearly finished AA degree.
continued on page 16
Jason Nemeroff instructs aviation students of all ages through FLYIT Academy. Left photo by Keith Miller, right photo courtesy Jason Nemeroff.
continued from page 14
A Supportive and Transformative Aviation Community
Alex Cazel, a second-year student in Cascadia, has nothing but positive things to say about Cascadia’s program and the aviation community in general. “People in this community want to help and support you,” he says. During his second year, Cazel is tasked with leadership responsibilities and helping the program run smoothly for first year students while he works toward his own dream of becoming a bushcraft pilot in Alaska. Cazel has flown a plane several times through FLYIT, but says the money ran out so he’s busy applying for scholarships. He’s now debating whether to use any funds for flight school or to finish the partially built plane in his garage.
Of his first few flights with an instructor at FLYIT, Cazel says, “You don’t realize how much you’ve learned until you’re up in the plane and realize you actually know a lot.” In Southwest Washington, two of the main flight schools are Aero Maintenance Flight School at Pearson Airfield and the aforementioned FLYIT Academy at Grove Field in Camas.
Jason Nemeroff, an instructor with FLYIT Academy, sees students from all walks of life, ages 11 through 80 years old. For anyone wanting their pilot’s license, the minimum
requirement of time in an airplane is 40 hours, but he says the national average is closer to 75 hours. “Our priority is not to prepare someone to take the test, but to become as safe a pilot as possible in as much time as it takes,” says Nemeroff. If students haven’t had the advantage of going through a program like Cascadia Tech, they will do lots of groundwork preparation, studying and flying alongside an instructor until they’re prepared to fly solo.
The time and finances of becoming a pilot are intense, and one FLYIT student advises not to rush: “You’re here to have fun. Enjoy the stage you’re at.” For Nemeroff, the experience of flying and instructing sometimes feels too good to be true. “I’m so lucky I almost don’t even want to talk about it,” he says. “My main passions are airplanes and helping people, and that’s my day job.”
Every pilot I interviewed spoke to the transformative powers of learning to fly. “You can’t be a victim when you’re flying an airplane,” says Nemeroff. “There’s no one to blame, no one to do it for you—you’re learning accountability and responsibility, and it changes the way you see life.”
Martilla adds, “I’ve seen a few kids without direction or a purpose and after they start helping out with airplanes, pretty soon they’re learning to be mechanics and then they’re
wanting to learn to fly. But they have to be exposed to it first and that is what Cascadia, flight schools and EAA do.”
Even beyond flight schools and programs like Cascadia Tech, there are organizations committed to engaging young potential pilots. EAA Young Eagles is a group of volunteer pilots who take kids ages 9 to 17 years old on discovery flights each month to introduce them to possibilities in aviation. If old and mature enough, some of these kids will get to experience flying the plane themselves, under the direction of the pilot in command. From May to September, these pilots fly up to 20 kids out of Pearson Field at no cost to the families, on a first-come, first-served basis. Martilla, a Young Eagles coordinator, says, “You won’t believe how happy these kids are after they’ve been in a plane, and it’s such a positive experience for parents too.”
Exploring Opportunities in Aviation
The Vancouver area is rich with resources for prospective pilots or young people who are curious. Local chapters of groups like Women in Aviation and the Ninety-Nines empower prospective female pilots through events like Girls in Aviation Day. Camas Washougal Aviation Association (CWAA) hosts summer programs for middle school students to build and fly planes. The education center at Pearson
continued on next page
Juliette D. earned her private pilot’s license at age 17.
Left photo by Ashlyn Matilla, right photo selfie taken on her solo cross-country flight by Juliette D.
continued from previous page
Field hosts Airway Science for Kids (ASK) for children of all ages to play and learn about science, technology, engineering, math and aviation. All of these programs are committed to the goal of exposing young people to the endless possibilities related to flight.
Stefan Kulpa, a pilot with Aero Air in Hillsboro, transports medical teams and human organs to different hospitals across the country for life saving operations. He says, “It wasn’t until I got into aviation training that I realized how many avenues are available.” Kulpa adds, “I know pilots who started in the military, pilots who started on the civilian side, pilots who fly seaplanes over water and rarely climb over 1,000 feet, and pilots who fly 747s around the world.”
Beyond flying, any passion for airplanes can lead to careers in airport management, air traffic control, mechanics, engineering, instructing and just about anything your imagination can come up with. “Your goals might change throughout your training as you become more aware of the opportunities out there,” Kulpa says. The hard part, most pilots admit, is the cost. High expenses are, unfortunately, the nature of the beast. But local groups are determined to make it more accessible by offering scholarships.
CWAA gave away ten scholarships last year totaling $35,000. O’Neal says a large priority for Cascadia Tech is finding scholarship opportunities for continuing education and flight hours. This program helps students network with professionals in this career field. They are always looking for people to join their advisory board to help shape the direction of the program and support students.
If the passion and the persistence are there, most pilots insist that it’s doable. Juliette D. advises anyone who is interested to go after it: “Be proactive and persistent—do your research, find the flight schools in your area and find people you can talk to. If you have the motivation, you can do it.”
Emily Corak has lived in the Pacific Northwest for the past three decades. A former educator with Vancouver School District, Emily is now a freelance writer, photographer and mom to two young kids with big personalities. She recently earned her MFA in creative writing and, if given the choice, she would spend all her spare cash on travel and books.
Jason Nemeroff says of his vocation as a flight instructor: “I’m so lucky I almost don’t even want to talk about it. My main passions are airplanes and helping people, and that’s my day job.”
Photo courtesy Jason Nemeroff.
In 2022, Vancouver mom Amanda Dillinger left a potential therapist’s office very confused after the therapist had referred to her 14-yearold twins as autistic. It was something Dillinger had long suspected, but with no official diagnosis, she did not have much information. That’s when she turned to the internet and threw herself into research. As she began to explore the signs and symptoms, she found that not only did her children show traits of autism, but also of ADHD.
This is a situation many parents find themselves in. According to a paper published by Front Psychiatry in the National Library of Medicine, 50%-70% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also present with comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Armed with more answers for her children, Dillinger soon made another shocking discovery. She, too, experienced traits of both conditions. “I started a long list of traits that I identified with. While my kids were getting evaluated, I asked the psychologist if I should get evaluated, too. He said yes, so I was diagnosed autistic and ADHD, commonly referred to as AuDHD, a month after my twins.”
The Process of Diagnosis
When a child begins to exhibit traits of ADHD or autism, many parents embark on a long process of observation, testing and eventually diagnosis. This process often involves consultations with pediatricians, psychologists and specialists who assess the child’s behavior, communication patterns and cognitive functioning. For parents who are themselves neurodivergent but unaware, certain aspects of their child’s symptoms may seem surprisingly familiar.
Like Child, Like Parent: When Neurodivergence Diagnosis Comes Late in Life
By Kristen Flowers
Parents may notice the parallels with their children in areas such as difficulty focusing, challenges with time management, sensory sensitivities or social struggles. In the process of supporting their child through diagnosis and treatment, some parents experience a revelation: they, too, might have the same condition.
“Parents will go home from the intake and do a lot of research,” says Dr. Donna Johns, a clinical psychologist at KIDO Psychological Services in Vancouver. “And when they come back, they’re like, ‘I want to be tested also.’ And it does run in families. In other words, if somebody has ADHD in your family, there’s a higher propensity for somebody else in the family to have it.”
Another local mom, Katelynn Brumley, started noticing the same patterns in her emotional and regulation patterns as her children. That’s what led her to seek testing and get a diagnosis for herself.
A Complex Emotional Journey
The realization that one might have ADHD or autism as an adult can trigger a complex emotional journey. On the one hand, it can be liberating to have an explanation for past struggles. For parents who have long felt “different” or struggled with self-criticism, a diagnosis offers clarity and a path forward. Knowing the reason behind some of their difficulties can reduce feelings of shame or inadequacy.
However, the discovery can also bring about feelings of grief or guilt. Parents may feel sadness for the years they spent undiagnosed and unsupported. “Many people come in here going, ‘I thought I was lazy. I thought I wasn’t able to do things. I thought there must be something wrong with me. I’m scatterbrained,’” says Karey Amies, a psychometrist, also with KIDO Psychological Services. “For them to come in and get a diagnosis and realize that it’s not that they’re lazy or scatterbrained, it’s just that their brain is wired differently, can give
continued on page 20
La Center mom, Katelynn Brumley, started noticing the same patterns in her emotional and regulation patterns as her children, leading her to seek testing and get a diagnosis for herself.
Photo by Randlee Studio.
continued from page 18
them a sense of relief. A lot of times, the world wants us to change. The world wants us to conform to neurotypical behaviors, and it’s not that easy for us. It would be much simpler if the world could learn to adapt and we could meet in the middle. Yes, you may have ADHD, but there are ways that you can try to overcome some of the challenges, but also realize that some of them you can’t help. It’s in your brain. That’s what Dr. Johns has taught me.”
For Dillinger, the whole process was not only eye-opening but also improved her entire life. “Getting diagnosed was incredibly validating. It’s allowed me to start unmasking and be my authentic self.”
This experience changed Dillinger so much that she wanted to educate other parents going through the same thing. She started a YouTube channel that documents her diagnostic experience and connects people to a neurodivergent community.
“My diagnoses were literally life-changing,” explains Dillinger. “I was hitting a major mental health crisis and having serious burnout. The diagnoses let me realize there was nothing wrong with me; I’m just autistic and ADHD.”
Brumley experienced the same life-altering experience after receiving her diagnosis. “The way I do routines and everyday things are much more accommodating to me. I can be a better version of myself and learn how to help myself, my kids and others needing more help and support.”
Amies says clients who come in wonder how much their diagnosis can change their lives. “Many adults are like, ‘Well, I’ve lived my life this far. What does it matter?’ And, well, it just depends. If you want to see what it would be like to alleviate these symptoms, you could always talk to your doctor about medication. If you would like to have your life function on a higher level, you could talk about therapy. For some people, a diagnosis gives them confirmation, validation and sometimes even the grace to accept the way they are and not be so hard on themselves.”
Walking the Path Together
There are also benefits to getting tested for families of neurodivergent adults. For parents and children navigating a diagnosis simultaneously, the experience can foster mutual understanding and support. It allows for a unique opportunity to learn about neurodivergence together, with parents modeling how to advocate for accommodations,
manage symptoms and embrace their identities. Parents can show their children that having ADHD or autism doesn’t define them but can be a source of strength and creativity when well managed. Sometimes, shared experiences between parents and children can improve communication and deepen the relationship.
For parents, seeking a diagnosis for themselves is not selfish; it can benefit their entire family by helping them develop better coping mechanisms, reduce stress and improve overall well-being. These are experiences Brumley has seen in her own life. “I feel much more confident and able to help myself in ways I have always needed but didn’t realize until now, at 30 years old.”
For adults who suspect they might have ADHD or autism, seeking a professional evaluation is an essential step. Adult ADHD and autism
diagnoses come from psychiatrists or clinical psychologists, who can assess symptoms, conduct interviews and rule out other conditions. Taking that first step of consulting with a qualified professional could open up a whole new world of possibilities.
Kristen Flowers lives in Vancouver with her husband and daughter, Lilly. You can hear the whole family on 99.5 The Wolf during the Nick and Kristen Morning Show. When she is not working and writing, Kristen loves crafting, watching documentaries and going to escape rooms.
Top left: Amanda Dillinger’s child, Eira with his Autistic Service Dog, Milo. Top right: Amanda Dillinger with with her twins, Eira and Izzie Photos courtesy Amanda Dillinger.
Enjoy a special 1:1 moment— bring your camera for magical photos!
Warm up with free hot chocolate and cookies. Don’t miss the holiday fun! All children who visit Santa will receive a free gift!
Sunday, Dec. 1: 1:00pm 2:40pm 4:20pm 6:00pm
Saturday, Dec. 7: 2:00pm 3:40pm 5:20pm
Friday, Dec. 13: 9:00am 10:40am 12:20pm 2:00pm
Saturday, Dec. 21: 2:30pm 4:10pm 5:50pm
1 hour 30 minutes @ $45.00. Adults are free (max 2 per child). Infants do not need a ticket if accompanied by a paying sibling; otherwise, a ticket is required. All ages welcome.
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1 FRIDAY
Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Presentation at Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N Main Ave., Ridgefield. Join us to celebrate and learn about Día de los Muertos with local Ridgefield resident, Rebeca Jaramillo. 4-6 pm
Camas Thankful for Pie First Friday Event in Downtown Camas. Pie tastings, pie raffles and pie walk dance party and more. 5-8 pm
Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Cat Kid Comic Club” at Newmark Theatre, 1111 SWE Broadway, Portland. This hilarious adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man spin-off series is written by the same team that brought you Dog Man: The Musical! Tickets $28-$62 at octc. org/cat-kid. Playing Nov 1-17, showtimes vary.
2 SATURDAY
NW’s Largest Garage Sale & Vintage Sale at Clark County Event Center, 17402 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield. Shop rare and vintage finds. Admission $8 for adults, $20 for early bird. 8 am-5 pm
Come Serve With Me Volunteer Fair at Seton Catholic High School, 9000 NE 64th Ave., Vancouver. Now in its second year, community volunteer fair Come Serve With Me invites members of the Clark County community to enjoy an evening full of fun and connection, with the opportunity to learn more about nonprofits who are making our community a better place. The free, family-friendly event will also include raffle prizes, face painting, balloon animals and other fun activities for attendees. Learn more, including participating organizations at sites.google. com/view/comeservewithme/ home. 5:30-8:30 pm
2 SATURDAY
Learn about local organizations making our community better and find ways you and your family can help at the Come Serve With Me Volunteer Fair.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Presents Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto at Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th St., Vancouver. Rachel Barton Pine returns by popular demand to perform the lush and lyrical Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, alongside Shostakovich’s boisterous and ironic Tenth Symphony. Tickets $15-$60 at vancouversymphony. org Playing Nov 2-3, showtimes vary.
6 WEDNESDAY
Dinovember at Cascade Park Community Library 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. For all future paleontologists and dino enthusiasts: Come celebrate our favorite prehistoric animals with some dino-themed fun and activities. 2-3 pm
7 THURSDAY
Clark County Prayer Breakfast at Vancouver Hilton, 301 W 6th St., Vancouver. This year’s theme is “Out of This World” with keynote speaker, astronaut Colonel Jeff Williams. Tickets $45 at clarkcountyprayerbreakfast. com. 7-9 am
Journey Theater presents “Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr.” at Manor Evangelical Church, 17913 NE 72nd Ave., Battle Ground. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. Tickets $13-$16 at journeytheater.org. Playing Nov 7-16, showtimes vary.
PDXLAN at Clark County Event Center, 17402 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield. PDXLAN is a PC gaming event where over a thousand PC gamers from around North America unite together and bring their computers to play video games with one another
for four days while raising money for charity. Tickets $165-$185 at pdxlan.net. Runs Nov 7-10.
CCHM Speaker Series: Vancouver’s Legacy of Alternative Education at Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. Explore Vancouver’s Legacy of Alternative Education with historian and educator Pepper Kim. Tickets $5 at cchmuseum.org. 7 pm
Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N Ramsay Way, Portland. Experience the magic of “Frozen 2” and celebrate the power of love with Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff. Tickets $35$100 at disneyonice.com. Playing Nov 7-10, showtimes vary.
9 SATURDAY
Mountain View High School Band & Orchestra Booster Holiday Bazaar at Mountain View High School, 150 SE Blairmont Ave., Vancouver. 200+ tables of handcrafted gifts, crafts, art, decorations and more, all benefitting MVHS band and orchestra programs. 9 am-4 pm
IDEAfest 2024 at Hudson’s Bay High School, 1601 E McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver. This annual gathering brings together the thinkers, creatives and makers of SW WA and Vancouver for a day of inspiration, collaboration, and innovation. Tickets $10-$50 at vantalks.org. 9 am-4 pm
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11 MONDAY
Lough Legacy Veterans Day Parade at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 1001 E 5th St., Vancouver. Enjoy the parade and honor our military history. 11 am
14 THURSDAY
Camas Holiday Sip & Shop
2024 in Downtown Camas. Festive holiday shopping, good friends, cocktail tastings, holiday music and more. Tickets $25 at downtowncamas.com/event/ holiday-sip-shop. 4-9 pm
Stomp and Shout: The Untold Story of Northwest Rock & Roll at Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes St., Vancouver. Join author Peter Blecha to discover the lesser-known but vitally important bands and scenes that laid the foundation for the “Original Northwest Sound.” 6 pm
16 SATURDAY
Bricktastic at Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Bricktastic is a free bricks creation showcase! Sign up to share your creation. Choose a category. Build your design. Then bring it to Fourth Plain Community Commons on November 16. Invite your friends and family to visit Bricktastic and vote on their favorite entries. Admission and entry are free. Register at columbiaplayproject. org/events. 10 am-12 pm
21 THURSDAY
Vancouver Symphony presents Back to the Movies with Blackmail at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. This 1929 thriller by Alfred Hitchcock is cited as Britain’s first sound feature film. Enjoy the film with live accompaniment from VSO. Tickets $10-$25 at kigginstheatre.com. 7 pm
22 FRIDAY
Turkey Bingo Fundraiser at Lacamas Lake Lodge, 227 NE
Lake Rd., Camas. Camas Parks Foundation’s annual fundraiser to support future programs, special events and scholarships. Tickets $10 at cityofcamas.us/ parksrec. 5:30-7 pm
Mannheim Steamroller
Christmas by Chip Davis at ilani, 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield. Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller, along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. Tickets $93+ at ilaniresort.com. 8 pm
23 SATURDAY
Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Annie Kids” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, “Annie Kids” features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure. Tickets $3-$5 at metropolitanperformingarts.org. Playing Nov 23-24, showtimes vary.
Journey Theater presents “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E 18th St., Vancouver. The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. Tickets $16-$21 at journeytheater.org. Playing Nov 23-Dec 1, showtimes vary.
27 WEDNESDAY
“Love’s a Joke” StandUp Comedy at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. “Love’s a Joke” is a raucous and not-to-miss comedy tour of America’s funniest entertainers and comedy couples taking the stage. Tickets $20-$25 at kigginstheatre.com. 8 pm
28 THURSDAY
Turkey Trot 2024 at Klineline Pond, 1112 NE 117th St., Vancouver. This 5K run/
THE HAPPIEST HOLIDAYS HAPPEN HERE
walk and 10K run benefit people experiencing hunger in our community, and 100% of the race proceeds are donated directly to Clark County Food Bank. Registration $5-$30 at turkey-trot.org. 9-11 am
29 FRIDAY
Artisan Holiday Market at The Valiant Ballroom, 111 W 9th St., Vancouver. Explore a unique shopping experience that showcases a wide range of handmade crafts, artisanal foods and one-of-a-kind products. Nov 29-30, 10 am-4 pm
Rotary Community Tree Lighting in Downtown Vancouver. It starts at the Vancouver Waterfront! As Santa sails down the Columbia, a flotilla of the Christmas Ships will join the trip to Terminal 1 where Santa disembarks. A holiday parade of lighted vehicles will transport Santa to Esther Short Park where music,
entertainment and refreshments will be on site. Santa will light the official Vancouver Community Tree at 6 pm, and festivities will continue through 7 pm. 4:30-7 pm
Find unique holiday gifts while supporting local artists and crafters at a holiday bazaar or market near you.
ShopVancouverMall com
yours at the library or fvrl.org for access to • books, eBooks, audiobooks for all ages • movies, educational videos, music • Free museum and state park passes • board games and more! Signing up is free and easy! fvrl.org/library-accounts
