Cedar Center/Zappo's Wellness Fund
Donation protected
"Zappo Dickinson is a beacon of light in the lives of our youth. His teaching at camp is filled with insight, compassion and understanding. Give him your kids and I believe he will help to transform them into universal human beings who spread peace and love throughout their lives."
-Wavy Gravy
Hello, my name is Zappo Diddio Whiterabbit Dickinson, and with an honest and gracious heart I am asking for your help.
Let me begin by saying that mine is a story of the healing power of love, of glory and of triumph in the face of adversity. This funding campaign is a two tiered dream : first to offset the costs of my ongoing health treatments, and second to grow Cedar Center. I founded Cedar Center, a non-profit organization, as a distillation of my 25 years of work in education, youth enrichment and conflict mediation. Through Cedar Center I will provide coaching and guidance for harmonious family/group dynamics, clear and honest communication, conflict mediation, peacemaking and healthy emotional expression. In order to achieve this dream of sharing an ever developing curriculum of wellness… I need to be well… and I am overjoyed to say that I am on my way!
This is my vision and I am certain with time, effort and support it will be a reality.
MY REQUEST :
For the last decade I have been dealing with the devastating symptoms of chronic pain associated with Lymes Disease. My identity as a vital athlete, outgoing artist, active community leader and mentor to hundreds of children gave way to a shell of that man, plagued by intense physical pain, depression, and constant fatigue. I am asking for help in paying for my ongoing health treatments, which I am happy to say are working. As I grow stronger I feel more and more grateful and I feel more and more called to return to my LOVE ALL and SERVE ALL life.
With Cedar Center, I’m looking forward to creating and providing programs for children in need of guidance and healing. I have already begun relationships with several schools in Berkeley and nearby cities which I will be visiting on a regular basis. I will be volunteering my time to share games, songs, stories, peace-making and wellness practice with students and faculty alike.
There's no doubt in my mind or heart that with the aid of this fundraising campaign the number of schools and students which I will be able to effect will continue to increase as my health improves and Cedar Center grows. Creating avenues of enrichment and development for children is a calling which has been the greatest joy in my life.
I am overjoyed to say that as of February 2017, all donations to Cedar Center, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, are tax deductible!
MY SHORT STORY :
I grew up in the company of extraordinary human beings. I also grew up with the hurt of having been abandoned by my father who left us when I was 10. In 1996, at the age of 23, I lost my mother, Cedar, to her negotiation with cancer. Me and my brothers were engulfed in the love and guidance of our gigantic extended family but nothing can ever take the place of a mother’s care and protection. Being an athlete was extremely theraputic for me, and it helped me connect to a wide range of kids and social groups.
Prior to the onset of my symptoms, my life was dedicated to helping at risk children heal through the traumas of poverty, emotional pain, abuse, family dysfunction and the many challenges of growing up in a world that can be extremely overwhelming. I had created a life of service in schools, camps, children’s hospitals, group homes and orphanages.
After the onset of my symptoms in 2006, I struggled for several years to continue my work with children in urban, international and summer camp settings.
Although it would take years to diagnose, I was experiencing the onset of symptoms associated with Lyme’s disease. Although I pressed through the difficulty and continued to hold my position at the school for another three years, it became impossible to approach each day with what was once a endless source of love and dedication.
At first it was a solid year of constant neck pain, then came a burning nerve pain in my foot, severe knee pain, and by the time my daughter was born in 2009, I had pain in my wrists, elbows, and shoulders which, along with the constant neck pain, kept me from carrying and holding her the way any loving father dreams to hold his child.
In Spring of 2011 I was hit by a truck while riding my bicycle in Oakland. This accident dealt a powerful blow to my efforts to restore my health. Less than a year later, in 2012, I began to experience the onset of extreme pain in my right hip. The pain in my hip actually began to eclipse all the pain I had been living with through out my body in that the hip pain took away my ability to stand and walk without extreme dificulty. I was now completely unable to sustain any practice of essential physical therapy and I slipped into a very dark place in life and the hurt throughout my body profoundly increased.
Because of the years of intense pain and the inevitable depression that ensued many of my closest relationships became strained to the point of breaking. I struggled terribly with not having enough energy to dedicate my gifts to my daughter and to other children. It was heart breaking to have to step back. Now, as I approach the 11 year mark of this illness it has become all too clear that I can not return to, and sustain my life of service until I am able to get over a few more large hurdles of personal healing. The car accident, hip pain and Lymes diagnosis was 5 years ago and in that time I have slowly been rebuilding my health and my life bit by bit. I am so grateful to finally be at a place where I can plan to give again.
MY WORK:
From 2004 through 2007 I was volunteering part of each summer, winter and spring school breaks to participate as a hospital clown with Patch Adams and the Gesundheit Institute . With a group of talented, kindhearted people I traveled through Peru, Ecuador and El Salvador visiting children in hospitals, orphanages and juvenile detention centers. My work/play with the hospital clowns was by far the most profound experiences of compassion and loving kindness that I have ever taken part in and my capacity to serve young people blossomed with each new clown trip.
In 2006 and I was working full-time at a public elementary school in Richmond, California as a long-term substitute teacher and the After School Program Director. During my five years as the director, our program was a safe haven from the many challenges present in the surrounding community our students were living in. 130 kids spent each afternoon together cultivating friendship and creativity in the “Laffter’s Cool Program” at Coronado Elementary. We offered students academic tutoring, art classes, sports teams and group games, dance classes, music and talent shows, carnivals, and guest performances and so much more. On my own time and dime, I also created and ran the “Breakfast Club,” a weekend adventure program bringing a handful of students on day trips to Bay Area parks, beaches, and other outdoor adventures. As part of each outing we prepared and shared a meal together, usually in my home.
All of the work I was doing in these communities was rooted in the way of life I learned spending my childhood summers at Camp Winnarainbow . At camp I learned the joys and benefits of living and learning in a diverse artistic community. It was there that I developed a passionate commitment to “pay it forward” by sharing the life changing experience of creative kindness with as many kids as I could possibly reach. As the liaison between Camp’s scholarship program and Coronado Elementary I took it upon myself to enroll as many as 30 kids from Richmond each summer to experience the miracle of Camp Winnarainbow. By 2006 I had spent 15 summers on the adult staff and was serving as one of the lead supervisors as well as Camper Advocate, whose role it is to see to it that all campers are receiving the support they need to have a successful camp experience. My other title at camp at that time was Assistant to the Creative Director, Wavy Gravy. I was the self titled “Hand of the Clown.” I was also chairman of camp’s Board of Directors. At that time in my life I was certain that I would one day open a school based on the philosophies of our camp.
MY NEEDS :
None of the treatment that is beneficial to the healing of my condition is covered by my Medi-Cal, and in many cases not covered by any insurance at all. In fact, as a patient with Kaiser Oakland for several years, I was told by many doctors, including the Head of Infectious Disease, that Chronic Lymes Disease does not exist so there was no treatment Kaiser could offer me. I manage to pay for all medical expenses in cash or with credit cards.
Any help that I receive in raising these funds will go directly to paying for the costs related to my recovery and to the costs of growing Cedar Center as I rebuild my life of service, teaching, guidance and peacemaking. I need to get help to give help.
MY MIRACLE OF CRISIS :
The Chinese character for crisis also represents an opportunity. I have been able to use this profound learning experience to focus on not only my physical wellness, but also my emotional stability, mental tranquility and spiritual devotion. Committing myself for the past 3.5 years of dedicated daily chi gong practice, I am learning and cultivating a program that promotes healing of mind, body, emotions and spirit.
It is my intention to return the magnificent favor of life by making the most of this glorious opportunity of being a human being and to love and share kindness. My intention is to spend the rest of my time in this life to the tune of the "Love all, serve all" mantra.
As a direct result of my daily Chi Gong practice, healthy and strengthening diet, medicinal protocols, spiritual practice and the love of so many friends and family, my health is improving little by little. As I grow healthier, the growing hope and light in my heart fills my sails with wind and carries me onward.
MY VISION :
"Zappo's work with my students and our class community transformed how we work and share our classroom space together, as well as build empathy for ourselves and one another. I see the effects of his work in all that the children do. His work is grounded--and thus helps the children to become more grounded human beings. Zappo sees each and every child for who they are, and honors their different paths and journeys. His authenticity matters to children, and they look forward to his classroom visits."
-Erica Koval, 3rd Grade Teacher
My vision is to be restored to wonderful health and then continue my work as a teacher, leader and healer. Now acting from a place of deepest gratitude for life and an ever expanding understanding on many aspects of personal wellness, I plan on sharing my learning with young people in schools, youth programs and camps. I have a vision of teaching the beautiful and profoundly beneficial Wild Goose Chi Gong form to students in the Richmond community where I once worked. In my mind’s eye, I see hundreds of young people spread across the school blacktop, practicing this peaceful healing movement meditation together in unison. Healing themselves and bringing tranquility and togetherness to their community.
I see myself offering my curriculum to youth development programs and also to adults in a multitude of settings. My curriculum for wellness, growth and development for both groups and individuals consists of the following classes and workshops:
1. Chi Gong practice to benefit physical, mental and emotional health.
2. Wavy Gravy’s bag of improvisational theater games he calls “Space Eat.” These exercises encourage teamwork and enhance group dynamics.
2. Patch Adams’ Love Strategy Workshop, as taught by Patch to our camp community, in combination with my own developing forgiveness practice.
3. A comprehensive workshop on peacemaking and conflict mediation, based on my 25 years of work in mediation and conflict resolution, designed by myself covering philosophies of non-violence and a step by step process of resolving conflict. My vision is to share this with communities such as schools, educators and professional settings in need of this powerful work.
4. I have collected numerous activities that encourage group/team building are also are just plane fun and have come to call this workshop ”Camper Clubhouse.” I have had tremendous success in creating joy and harmony in countless groups of children and adults alike with these activities and will continue to share them wherever I can.
Finally, I plan to share what I've learned about healing Lymes Disease with the ever expanding community of people suffering with this difficult condition. Desperately ill people with little hope who are being told that either what they're experiencing is not a real sickness or that it’s real but there's no cure for their pain. Most Lymes patients have received these hope shattering statements all too often as they seek medical attention and the reality is that we can heal with the proper physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dedication. Along my healing journey I have spoken with many people who once suffered horrible symptoms of Lymes Disease, some of whom were very near death, and are now back to fantastic health and living fulfilling lives. I myself have experienced incredible progress in my healing and I'm certain that this will continue with focused time, energy and intention.
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
My goal is to restore my health and my life, to be the father I dream to be and to continue my work with people of all ages and backgrounds. Not only in creative and fun experiences but also sharing my growing understanding about healing and living a life in balance in such a way that promotes sustainable wellness. To be a light in the darkness and a peacemaker in this troubled world.
If you would please help me to achieve this goal, I can commit with all my heart to turning your gift of kindness into years and years of my committed dedication to LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
With all my heart,
Zappo Whiterabbit Dickinson.
-Wavy Gravy
Hello, my name is Zappo Diddio Whiterabbit Dickinson, and with an honest and gracious heart I am asking for your help.
Let me begin by saying that mine is a story of the healing power of love, of glory and of triumph in the face of adversity. This funding campaign is a two tiered dream : first to offset the costs of my ongoing health treatments, and second to grow Cedar Center. I founded Cedar Center, a non-profit organization, as a distillation of my 25 years of work in education, youth enrichment and conflict mediation. Through Cedar Center I will provide coaching and guidance for harmonious family/group dynamics, clear and honest communication, conflict mediation, peacemaking and healthy emotional expression. In order to achieve this dream of sharing an ever developing curriculum of wellness… I need to be well… and I am overjoyed to say that I am on my way!
This is my vision and I am certain with time, effort and support it will be a reality.
MY REQUEST :
For the last decade I have been dealing with the devastating symptoms of chronic pain associated with Lymes Disease. My identity as a vital athlete, outgoing artist, active community leader and mentor to hundreds of children gave way to a shell of that man, plagued by intense physical pain, depression, and constant fatigue. I am asking for help in paying for my ongoing health treatments, which I am happy to say are working. As I grow stronger I feel more and more grateful and I feel more and more called to return to my LOVE ALL and SERVE ALL life.
With Cedar Center, I’m looking forward to creating and providing programs for children in need of guidance and healing. I have already begun relationships with several schools in Berkeley and nearby cities which I will be visiting on a regular basis. I will be volunteering my time to share games, songs, stories, peace-making and wellness practice with students and faculty alike.
There's no doubt in my mind or heart that with the aid of this fundraising campaign the number of schools and students which I will be able to effect will continue to increase as my health improves and Cedar Center grows. Creating avenues of enrichment and development for children is a calling which has been the greatest joy in my life.
I am overjoyed to say that as of February 2017, all donations to Cedar Center, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, are tax deductible!
MY SHORT STORY :
I grew up in the company of extraordinary human beings. I also grew up with the hurt of having been abandoned by my father who left us when I was 10. In 1996, at the age of 23, I lost my mother, Cedar, to her negotiation with cancer. Me and my brothers were engulfed in the love and guidance of our gigantic extended family but nothing can ever take the place of a mother’s care and protection. Being an athlete was extremely theraputic for me, and it helped me connect to a wide range of kids and social groups.
Prior to the onset of my symptoms, my life was dedicated to helping at risk children heal through the traumas of poverty, emotional pain, abuse, family dysfunction and the many challenges of growing up in a world that can be extremely overwhelming. I had created a life of service in schools, camps, children’s hospitals, group homes and orphanages.
After the onset of my symptoms in 2006, I struggled for several years to continue my work with children in urban, international and summer camp settings.
Although it would take years to diagnose, I was experiencing the onset of symptoms associated with Lyme’s disease. Although I pressed through the difficulty and continued to hold my position at the school for another three years, it became impossible to approach each day with what was once a endless source of love and dedication.
At first it was a solid year of constant neck pain, then came a burning nerve pain in my foot, severe knee pain, and by the time my daughter was born in 2009, I had pain in my wrists, elbows, and shoulders which, along with the constant neck pain, kept me from carrying and holding her the way any loving father dreams to hold his child.
In Spring of 2011 I was hit by a truck while riding my bicycle in Oakland. This accident dealt a powerful blow to my efforts to restore my health. Less than a year later, in 2012, I began to experience the onset of extreme pain in my right hip. The pain in my hip actually began to eclipse all the pain I had been living with through out my body in that the hip pain took away my ability to stand and walk without extreme dificulty. I was now completely unable to sustain any practice of essential physical therapy and I slipped into a very dark place in life and the hurt throughout my body profoundly increased.
Because of the years of intense pain and the inevitable depression that ensued many of my closest relationships became strained to the point of breaking. I struggled terribly with not having enough energy to dedicate my gifts to my daughter and to other children. It was heart breaking to have to step back. Now, as I approach the 11 year mark of this illness it has become all too clear that I can not return to, and sustain my life of service until I am able to get over a few more large hurdles of personal healing. The car accident, hip pain and Lymes diagnosis was 5 years ago and in that time I have slowly been rebuilding my health and my life bit by bit. I am so grateful to finally be at a place where I can plan to give again.
MY WORK:
From 2004 through 2007 I was volunteering part of each summer, winter and spring school breaks to participate as a hospital clown with Patch Adams and the Gesundheit Institute . With a group of talented, kindhearted people I traveled through Peru, Ecuador and El Salvador visiting children in hospitals, orphanages and juvenile detention centers. My work/play with the hospital clowns was by far the most profound experiences of compassion and loving kindness that I have ever taken part in and my capacity to serve young people blossomed with each new clown trip.
In 2006 and I was working full-time at a public elementary school in Richmond, California as a long-term substitute teacher and the After School Program Director. During my five years as the director, our program was a safe haven from the many challenges present in the surrounding community our students were living in. 130 kids spent each afternoon together cultivating friendship and creativity in the “Laffter’s Cool Program” at Coronado Elementary. We offered students academic tutoring, art classes, sports teams and group games, dance classes, music and talent shows, carnivals, and guest performances and so much more. On my own time and dime, I also created and ran the “Breakfast Club,” a weekend adventure program bringing a handful of students on day trips to Bay Area parks, beaches, and other outdoor adventures. As part of each outing we prepared and shared a meal together, usually in my home.
All of the work I was doing in these communities was rooted in the way of life I learned spending my childhood summers at Camp Winnarainbow . At camp I learned the joys and benefits of living and learning in a diverse artistic community. It was there that I developed a passionate commitment to “pay it forward” by sharing the life changing experience of creative kindness with as many kids as I could possibly reach. As the liaison between Camp’s scholarship program and Coronado Elementary I took it upon myself to enroll as many as 30 kids from Richmond each summer to experience the miracle of Camp Winnarainbow. By 2006 I had spent 15 summers on the adult staff and was serving as one of the lead supervisors as well as Camper Advocate, whose role it is to see to it that all campers are receiving the support they need to have a successful camp experience. My other title at camp at that time was Assistant to the Creative Director, Wavy Gravy. I was the self titled “Hand of the Clown.” I was also chairman of camp’s Board of Directors. At that time in my life I was certain that I would one day open a school based on the philosophies of our camp.
MY NEEDS :
None of the treatment that is beneficial to the healing of my condition is covered by my Medi-Cal, and in many cases not covered by any insurance at all. In fact, as a patient with Kaiser Oakland for several years, I was told by many doctors, including the Head of Infectious Disease, that Chronic Lymes Disease does not exist so there was no treatment Kaiser could offer me. I manage to pay for all medical expenses in cash or with credit cards.
Any help that I receive in raising these funds will go directly to paying for the costs related to my recovery and to the costs of growing Cedar Center as I rebuild my life of service, teaching, guidance and peacemaking. I need to get help to give help.
MY MIRACLE OF CRISIS :
The Chinese character for crisis also represents an opportunity. I have been able to use this profound learning experience to focus on not only my physical wellness, but also my emotional stability, mental tranquility and spiritual devotion. Committing myself for the past 3.5 years of dedicated daily chi gong practice, I am learning and cultivating a program that promotes healing of mind, body, emotions and spirit.
It is my intention to return the magnificent favor of life by making the most of this glorious opportunity of being a human being and to love and share kindness. My intention is to spend the rest of my time in this life to the tune of the "Love all, serve all" mantra.
As a direct result of my daily Chi Gong practice, healthy and strengthening diet, medicinal protocols, spiritual practice and the love of so many friends and family, my health is improving little by little. As I grow healthier, the growing hope and light in my heart fills my sails with wind and carries me onward.
MY VISION :
"Zappo's work with my students and our class community transformed how we work and share our classroom space together, as well as build empathy for ourselves and one another. I see the effects of his work in all that the children do. His work is grounded--and thus helps the children to become more grounded human beings. Zappo sees each and every child for who they are, and honors their different paths and journeys. His authenticity matters to children, and they look forward to his classroom visits."
-Erica Koval, 3rd Grade Teacher
My vision is to be restored to wonderful health and then continue my work as a teacher, leader and healer. Now acting from a place of deepest gratitude for life and an ever expanding understanding on many aspects of personal wellness, I plan on sharing my learning with young people in schools, youth programs and camps. I have a vision of teaching the beautiful and profoundly beneficial Wild Goose Chi Gong form to students in the Richmond community where I once worked. In my mind’s eye, I see hundreds of young people spread across the school blacktop, practicing this peaceful healing movement meditation together in unison. Healing themselves and bringing tranquility and togetherness to their community.
I see myself offering my curriculum to youth development programs and also to adults in a multitude of settings. My curriculum for wellness, growth and development for both groups and individuals consists of the following classes and workshops:
1. Chi Gong practice to benefit physical, mental and emotional health.
2. Wavy Gravy’s bag of improvisational theater games he calls “Space Eat.” These exercises encourage teamwork and enhance group dynamics.
2. Patch Adams’ Love Strategy Workshop, as taught by Patch to our camp community, in combination with my own developing forgiveness practice.
3. A comprehensive workshop on peacemaking and conflict mediation, based on my 25 years of work in mediation and conflict resolution, designed by myself covering philosophies of non-violence and a step by step process of resolving conflict. My vision is to share this with communities such as schools, educators and professional settings in need of this powerful work.
4. I have collected numerous activities that encourage group/team building are also are just plane fun and have come to call this workshop ”Camper Clubhouse.” I have had tremendous success in creating joy and harmony in countless groups of children and adults alike with these activities and will continue to share them wherever I can.
Finally, I plan to share what I've learned about healing Lymes Disease with the ever expanding community of people suffering with this difficult condition. Desperately ill people with little hope who are being told that either what they're experiencing is not a real sickness or that it’s real but there's no cure for their pain. Most Lymes patients have received these hope shattering statements all too often as they seek medical attention and the reality is that we can heal with the proper physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dedication. Along my healing journey I have spoken with many people who once suffered horrible symptoms of Lymes Disease, some of whom were very near death, and are now back to fantastic health and living fulfilling lives. I myself have experienced incredible progress in my healing and I'm certain that this will continue with focused time, energy and intention.
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
My goal is to restore my health and my life, to be the father I dream to be and to continue my work with people of all ages and backgrounds. Not only in creative and fun experiences but also sharing my growing understanding about healing and living a life in balance in such a way that promotes sustainable wellness. To be a light in the darkness and a peacemaker in this troubled world.
If you would please help me to achieve this goal, I can commit with all my heart to turning your gift of kindness into years and years of my committed dedication to LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
With all my heart,
Zappo Whiterabbit Dickinson.
Organizer
Zappo Diddio
Organizer
Berkeley, CA