Published on www.amyoes.com Happy Small Business Saturday! In 2010, the very first Small Business Saturday took place on Nov 27. It encouraged people across the country to support small, local

Published on amyoes.com In honor of RAINN’s "#MyNameOurVoice" Campaign, I wanted to share some more of my own writing on when I was abused, and it's aftermath. I encourage everyone to go to the

I gave a TEDx Talk about detours. What's such a big deal about a weird, frustrating twist in the road? What’s a Detour? detour – \ˈdē-ˌtu̇r – noun The act of going or traveling to a place along a way that

I fell into art accidentally. For me, all it was was a way to get my thoughts sorted out before I was actually able to speak them. After my 13th surgery (intended to reconnect my digestive system so I

Published on amyoes.com We’ve all encountered things in our lives that have gone in a different direction than we had hoped or at least anticipated. It’s what makes us human – living at the mercy of whatever

Published in www.amyoes.com Amazing Art Therapy Journey through Painting: From Coma to Career Life - even at's worst - should be celebrated. I celebrate through my art. I savor all of life, thriving, and

Read the rest of this article on www.amyoes.com In 2005, I suffered a coma, a ruptured stomach, and underwent a total gastrectomy. When I awoke from my coma, I was told by my doctors that my stomach exploded.

Originally Published on amyoes.com It’s been quite a full year for me. I’m a few months away from being a “thirty-something”, I’ve married, divorced, I’m finishing my college career, and I’ve officially

Published on amyoes.com Do you know the feeling you can get when you run? The harsh pounding of the wind against your chest, your legs jolted by the bounce on the pavement, the endless expanse of clouds

Who knew that mental health first aid was as simple an inspirational wall hanging? Survival – Simplified. Surviving – and “thriving” – through any setback, obstacle or ”detour” in life can be that

I call myself an artist because I like making art.  For me, it doesn’t matter where I’ve shown my art, what “techniques” I’m using, or who I’m selling it to.  Art is my aliveness brought

In a normal workday, who has time for art? The better question is “who can afford to go without it?” In work and in life, don’t we just want to find happiness, satisfaction, and open possibilities in what

You may not know where your detour is headed, and the road may be terrifying at times, but that’s OK.Part of being a “Detourist” means just showing up and staying open to where the path may lead. I’ve

My name is Amy Oestreicher, and according to doctors, I am a “surgical disaster.” However, at 28, I feel truly blessed. I may not have a stomach, but I sure am hungry for life. It started in 2005 – a week

What messages do you get from the media about mental health? What do you see on TV, hear on the news, listen to on the radio, see on posters, billboards, and read in magazines that tell you to think, act

Published on www.amyoes.com I’ve always loved nature—ever since I was a little girl. My nature walks were my time to daydream and collect little treasures along the way. I’d often come home with pockets

Each surgery has taught me some kind of lesson in the power of positive thinking. Here is my dedication to all 27 of them… It’s been quite a full year for me. I’m two years closer to being a