Diana and I recently had the pleasure of reading Phoenix Zones, a new book by a good friend of the sanctuary, Dr. Hope Ferdowsian. In it, Hope shares the lessons she’s learned about building strength and resilience throughout the course of her incredible career as a human rights physician and animal advocate. The book is filled with stories demonstrating how humans and other animals can recover from trauma and heal – a process known as the “Phoenix Effect” – if we attend to certain key principles such as love, dignity, justice, and respect for liberty. Phoenix Zones, by extension, are the places where these principles are put into practice, and where those suffering from trauma can rise from the proverbial ashes to find peace and hope.
One example of a Phoenix Zone that Hope discusses in her book is Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Her story focuses on Negra, who was stolen from her family and endured 35 years of unimaginable suffering but now exemplifies the power of Phoenix Zones promote healing and resilience in even the most traumatized individuals.
It’s easy to forget just how far Negra has come. This morning, we found her enjoying sweet spring grass near the top of the hill, a place that she had feared not so long ago.
A key message of the book is that physical and emotional recovery are only possible when we are free to make our own choices, when we are able to live with dignity, and, perhaps most importantly, when we have a sense of hope. Negra’s story should inspire hope in all of us.
Diana and I will be joining Hope for a discussion of her book at the Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle on April 30th. If you live nearby, we hope to see you there!
Very thoughtful commentary. And — as always — delightful pictures to match. The pictures make me want to reach out and hug my desktop!
What I also see is how much compassion and thoughtful nurturing can help heal trauma over time. It is rather astonishing and deeply moving to see those frequent moments of compassion and connection between the members of the group. Equally moving is to witness the patient and abiding love the caregivers have for those in their charge.
Bravo to you all for your efforts and compassion and ability to learn and adapt to their needs and nurture!!!!! U R all so special!! Love and hugs to you all….
I so enjoyed this post. This is just one of many reasons I enjoy following the chimps lives and watching their new lives unfold. All these little moments that mean so much, thank you all for sharing them.
I have added the book Phoenix Zones to my “Need to Read” list. Would love to attend the discussion on April, if only I was close enough to do so.
Negra. Her life story stole my heat from the very start. Negra’s courage, resilience, and her awakening have touched me so deeply. Like seeing Foxie climb to the tippy top of the Twister, I will never forget the day you posted that Negra, under-the-blanket-never-venture-outside-too-far Negra, all by her beautiful self strolled to the top of Young’s Hill, sat down peacefully and enjoyed a patch of sweet springtime grass. That post brought a deep resounding pang deep in my heart and I will never forget it. It was bitter sweet, I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry so I did both.
It is no surprise that CSNW is Negra’s Phoenix Zone. Like you always say, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest is Hope. Love. Home…. Sanctuary. Rise Negra, Rise.
I concur with all of the previous comments. Over the past 12-15 months since I first came aware of the CSNW and this website, I have to admit that a good deal of my interest in the health and well-being of Negra and her simian friends is due in part to my repulsion towards to the behavior of my own species. Globally, we cause such suffering to the biosphere and those with whom we share our existence. Nationally, we stand on the precipice of a dictatorship. Culturally, we are so awash in bloodshed and depravity. Thus, when I pay my daily visit to this website, I am provided with an alternative to the the destrto the death-dealing ways of the surrounding anthroposphere. That the seven inhabitants of this sanctuary are provided with hope, love, home, and sanctuary
I concur with all of the previous comments. Over the past 12-15 months since I first came aware of the CSNW and this website, I have to admit that a good deal of my interest in the health and well-being of Negra and her simian friends is due in part to my repulsion towards to the behavior of my own species. Globally, we cause such suffering to the biosphere and those with whom we share our existence. Nationally, we stand on the precipice of a dictatorship. Culturally, we are so awash in bloodshed and depravity. Thus, when I pay my daily visit to this website, I am provided with an alternative to the the destrto the death-dealing ways of the surrounding anthroposphere. That the seven inhabitants of this refuge are provided with hope, love, home, and sanctuary is a sign of hope in a tragic world, and a sign of defiance and resistance to the perversity of human destructiveness.