Discover writer Louise’s history,
purpose and passions,
experience and expertise.
The Story Within
BEAUTY FOR ASHES
Louise shares stories and imparts insights that inspire camaraderie with the reader, yet have universal truths embedded within them. These narratives are founded upon her adventures, grave hardships, and passion for personal and spiritual maturity. Along with writing that is delightfully amusing and pulls at heartstrings, readers are also provided with practical concepts and practices that apply to real life. These tools become a vehicle for the reader to victoriously employ their own best-laid plans and fresh ideas for conquering life’s challenges.
This author not only has compelling stories to tell (as so many do), she has experience imparting her ideas through the spoken word, creative skit scripts, and genuine respect for people. Her honesty, compassion, and humor are evident in her facilitation of support groups, retreats, and workshops where she’s able to cultivate comfort, vulnerability, courage, and hope in the participants.
Looking back over her life, Louise is amazed by the cohesive life tapestry which has been formed by the threads of so many seemingly unrelated experiences. All have been beautifully woven together to create the writer that she is today. Like us all, noteworthy events have sculpted her life. Among these challenges are parenting two disabled children and suffering the early deaths of those two precious ones who taught her so much!
As is common with God’s loving way, He has turned hardship to opportunity and fortified her character through experiences like:
Being bullied and isolated in her youth to supply her with empathy
Significant trials, tragedy, and grief that produce compassion
God’s constant companionship and healing to fortify her faith
Triumphant personal transformation to build hope
Gifting to Louise her passion for life and ‘keeping the humor’ that bring her joy!
The specifics of Louise’s volunteer, professional, and ministerial experience are listed in her ‘social services resume’ below. Adapted for publishers to learn of her writing, speaking platforms, and experience, it provides a bird’s-eye view of Louise’s credentials.
Writing Resume
SOCIAL SERVICES RESUME – PLATFORMS AS A WRITER AND SPEAKER
Social Service and Facilitation
Skills that Appear in My Writing:
- Ability to be empathic yet empowering when working with clients individually or in a support group setting
- Impart genuine respect to individuals by seeing past their struggles and acknowledging their potential
- Skilled at firmly steering conversations to client’s goals and away from avoidance behaviors
Writer Platform and Goals:
- To bring laughter, hope and compassion founded on my broad social service experience and poignant life narrative
- In the areas of special needs or mental illness, I offer my deep-rooted belief in the value of all persons
- To offer challenges that will benefit readers while bringing a positive influence on their life’s efforts & growth
Public Media, Group Facilitation and Educational Workshops
One Time Appearances:
- 12th International Conference on Emergency Medicine: Interviewed as parents of special needs children who have navigated the emergency rooms of many hospitals over the years of ER visits for our children’s’ seizures, etc.
- Doctors Gloria & Heidi Horsely’s “Open to Hope” television show, Episode 35: Grieving Disability and Death (watch the video below)
ARCH National Respite Conference Workshop Presenter:
Presented at national workshops both solo as a speaker and in collaboration with the international organization Care.com. Engaged audiences in class participation with humor and useful information on such subjects as “Reasons, Relationship & Respect of Respite” and ”Taking Respite out of the Box.”
The Compassionate Friends Group Facilitator:
Oversaw the monthly Marin Co. Chapter of this international organization for bereaved parents. Met the challenge of creating a welcoming, warm and reasonably upbeat environment to an otherwise tragic reason for meeting. An average of 20 revolving attendees over 9 years.
EMPLOYMENT
The LaChris Connection – Executive Director:
Founded and directed this non-profit organization for nearly ten years, serving families of children with disabilities with an emphasis on family health. Assisted parents in connecting with care providers and resources. Attended an average of 3 monthly multi-agency collaborative meetings attended by 5-20 social service, local government and non-profit personnel with whom I networked regularly.
Gilead House Women’s Transitional Home – Mentor and Life Skills Coach:
Upon assignment, guided clients in goal setting and connections with resources for their housing, employment, health and practical needs. Created warm yet firm relations, provided assistance and encouragement toward independence. As Life Skills Coach, conducted interactive, group classes on such subjects as healthy, effective communication skills.
Amazing Grace Women’s Shelter – Administrator / Counselor:
Live-in counselor for this church-sponsored, grass roots women’s shelter in coordination with referrals from other county resources such as Abused Women’s Services, teen transitional homes, correctional systems and psych services with whom I networked regularly. A turnover of over 150 clients over a 3.5-year period.
Service in Ministry:
- Facilitation of local church’s weekly women’s study. Prepared in-depth Bible study guides for 20+ New Testament books.
- Facilitated and presented teachings at annual weekend women’s retreat including the writing of effective skit scripts.
- Marriage mediations for troubled couples, providing both parties with equal respect & voice and effective tools for healing.
EDUCATION & PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
A.S. degree majoring in Accounting, Indian Valley Colleges
Study toward B.S. degree in Psychology at Simpson College (senior year pending)
Parent to 3 delightful children, 2 of which were born with cerebral palsy and other special needs (the latter 2 now deceased)
Married 33 + years, learning, growing and changing each year and, by God’s grace, defying all those “reasons for divorce” statistics!
