Deirdre Wilcox has been A Fresh Chapter facilitator since 2013. She is a cancer survivor with more than 25 years experience in the field of health. Deirdre lives in Seattle. You can learn more about her work at her website.

Dreaming of A Fresh Chapter

Deirdre Wilcox learned about A Fresh Chapter much the way others do. A friend sent her a link for the 2013 India Odyssey and said she should look at it. At the time, she was in a place of “intense transition,” post treatment and between living spaces. Two weeks earlier, she had a powerful dream of driving a jalopy in a hot place that was dusty, brown and dry. She saw Buddhist monks and vibrant color. Then, she gasped a breath of fresh air. It felt like a spiritual dream, which she later shared with friends. When Deidre followed the application link, she saw a photo of India, which looked like an image from her dream. She put off a writing assignment, in order to complete the application. “I applied instantly, because the deadline was at midnight,” she said. Deirdre pressed send at 11:55 p.m.

In India, she hoped to experience joy. Deirdre wanted to get it back. Although she went as a participant, she fell into a rhythm with A Fresh Chapter founder, Terri Wingham, and became her eyes and ears on the trip. Deirdre’s role as facilitator naturally evolved. Going to India helped Deirdre get “back to just being me.” She felt reassured, hopeful and excited. “There can be a good life post cancer.”

Using her experiences to help others

Deirdre has now been to India three times and serves as a facilitator in other countries, as well. She helps participants be comfortable around each other. As a yoga teacher, Deirdre finds a sense of the room and make links, so everyone feels good. Her natural capacity for reading people also helps program participants feel safe in their new environments.

As a child, Deirdre learned to read her surroundings. Overcoming personal challenges allowed Deirdre to understand and support others. “I have always struggled with asking for help.” She wasn’t afraid so much of being a burden. Deirdre feared appearing weak. During her treatment, she found people’s kindness and generosity excruciating. “That had always been my role. I was really uncomfortable. What I learned was that people want to help. They really do. We all really want to be innately helpful to people…we want to be of service.” Deirdre added that people are grateful for the opportunity to help. She realized it was unfair to always be the helper. “Learning to receive is an important part of walking a balanced path.”

In reconciling her own story, Deirdre now supports others reconciling theirs. She feels compassion for participants and knows it is huge to be a part of their transformation. They are terrified, she explained, bringing fears and anxiety, along with welcoming the experience of going to a new country. “I hold everybody at the highest light. They have the potential that needs to be actualized.”

Finding balance

Deirdre tries to be her best self on each Odyssey. This means taking care of her needs. “I love doing it, but it can be intense…I never burn out because I am so moved by people’s courage, tenacity, kindness and caring. Going on trips gives me hope.” In her professional work, she often tells people they have to make time for themselves, or everything will be an irritation. “It isn’t being selfish; it’s being of greater service.”

Her advice to future participants would be to “go with your gut. Go with your heart, and don’t let your head talk you out of it.”