Skip to main content

One, Two, Three… FALL!

By Dr. Stephanie Mattson


“Pop!” ...The sound of a cap gun going off was barely heard over the sound of the Frankie Lane album playing on the old record player in the corner. In addition to those two consistent sounds, a new sound was added. A hollow banging; the sound of somebody tumbling down the stairs.

This medley of strange sounds was coming from two young boys. Stephen and Scott, brothers, age ten and six, were playing one of their favorite games.


The game was called “Stunt Man” and was a regular after – school activity for the two troublemakers.

“Stunt Man” was a game designed with a cleverness that took a unique kind of genius to appreciate. Many would say the game was reckless, stupid or just a big waste of time, but to Scott and Steve, the game they had invented was first on their unspoken list of childhood pleasures.

The game “Stunt Man” was played on the stairs and worked best if the staircase was narrow. The object of the game: to see which boy could fall the most realistically upon being shot with the pearl-handled cap gun. One boy would stand at the bottom of the staircase with the gun and shoot it at the other boy, who was positioned at the top of the staircase. The boy at the top, after hearing the “pop” of the cap-gun, would fall as convincingly as possible down the stairs, banging against the surrounding walls and somersaulting several times.

The song “Bullet in My Shoulder” by Frankie Lane playing in the background made the imaginary scene come alive to the two young participants. The lyrics, “Bullet in my shoulder…blood, running down my vest…” rang in each boy’s head as he waited for his turn to tumble down the stairs.

You can read more about this experience directly from one of the participants...although, he is a bit older now. I hope you enjoy this childhood adventure entitled "Stairway to Heaven".

Comments

SrisLawyers said…
Thanks for sharing the article, it gives useful information. Keep sharing more updates.
Sex Crimes Lawyer VA
virginia reckless driving
conducción temeraria de virginia

Thank you for the comments! Much appreciated!

Popular posts from this blog

The Young Boy and the Rattlesnake

By Stephen C. Schultz (Editors note: This is a story used in a Wilderness Treatment Program for Young Adults . Many come to this program having struggled with substance abuse and interacting with unsavory friends.)   Many years ago there was a young Native American who lived in the very land you are residing in. He decided to seek wisdom by journeying to the top of Indian Peak. As he approached the base of the mountain he came across a rattlesnake that slithered beside him. The snake coiled as if to strike and the young boy moved back quickly in fear of being struck by the snake’s deadly venom. At that instant the snake spoke to the boy saying, “Don’t be afraid of me, I mean you no harm. I come to you to ask a favor. I see that you are about to traverse to the top of Indian Peak and was hoping that you may be willing to place me in your satchel so that I don’t have to make the long journey alone.” The young boy surprised by the snake’s request quickly responded b

Video Games, Anxiety and ADHD - Free Family Resources

 By Stephen C. Schultz Video Games, Anxiety and ADHD - Is there a common theme? Aloft Transitions Home for Young Adults This is simply a complimentary resource guide for parents of teens and young adults who struggle with ADHD, Anxiety and Gaming. ADHD:   • Russell Barkley,  Taking Charge of ADHD • Hallowell & Ratey,  Delivered from Distraction • Harvey Parker,  The ADD Hyperactivity Workbook for Parents, Teachers, & Kids • Bradley & Giedd,  Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy!: Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your  Mind  • Gurian, Michael,  The Minds of Boys Saving Our Sons from Falling Behind in School and  Life, 2005. • Hanna, Mohab,  Making the Connection: A Parents’ Guide to Medication in AD/HD • www.CHADD.org  (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) • www.help4adhd.org • www.aap.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) • www.aacap.org (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) Young Adult caring for new baby calf Anxiety: The following websites

Oxbow Academy – Unintended Consequences

By Stephen C. Schultz (Editors Note: This post started as an email I sent to a couple of Educational Consultants . It was the culmination of several conversations. I think there is some genuinely good information here that the general public, clinicians and allied health professionals could benefit from.) As helping professionals, we often find ourselves in teaching opportunities. We consult with clients, students, families and even others in our profession. The phrase, “Strength in the Struggle” is prominent at Discovery Ranch (A sister treatment program to Oxbow Academy ). Clinton Dorny, the Executive Director, mentioned to me the other day that they often tell parents, “If your child isn't struggling here at Discovery Ranch, then we're not doing our job.” Much of what we do as treatment programs and the value you provide as a therapist, counselor, coach and educational consultant is to assist families in managing “Unintended Consequences”. There isn't a parent