Madeline Derby McKee

Madeline Derby McKee was born in SanFrancisco, CA in 1969. She is the youngest of five children. She comes from a very creative family ~ her dad is a writer/artist, and her mom a painter. When her parents re-partnered, she inherited another writer (step-dad) and a school librarian - a lover of books (step-mom). Her upbringing is noteworthy, as it taught Madeline early in life, just how important both art and the written word can be. Madeline traveled extensively as a child and young adult, opening up the world in a meaningful and profound way.

Madeline became a mom to two amazing children in her early 30's, and her focus shifted. She returned to higher education after the birth of her second child, who was born with a more complicated medical situation than most. She studied anything that could help her become a better parent for his needs (from sign language to cognitive neuroscience). The degree didn't help with finding employment, but it helped tremendously with life on a daily basis.

In her late 40's, Madeline developed Multiple Sclerosis, which has been a major game-changer in her life. Everything had to slow down. Although the physical implications of MS are difficult, the radical shift of perspective is something she wouldn't trade if she could. Slowing down has been a gift she wasn't aware she needed so badly.

Now that her children are both in their teens, and she is in a relationship with a good and supportive man, she has found the time and freedom to pursue an old love, her writing. She intends to address topics that might feel messy or difficult, with the hope that open-communication might open some hearts or minds to a new, kinder way of being.