Louise facilitates getaways and gatherings for parents of children with special needs. She delights in bringing an experience of deep refreshment and nourishment to those who care for their loved ones, but who all too often don’t take time to nurture themselves.

Louise and her husband Mike have parented three wonderful children, two of whom were born with cerebral palsy and other challenges. During their time of difficult but joyful parenting, they learned to embrace fun and adventure as a family. Louise brings to these events that upbeat love for life, along with genuine compassion, knowing that the responsibilities that accompany disabilities can often be overwhelming.

Mike and Louise felt compelled to provide the knowledge and resources needed for like-kind families to enjoy living life to the fullest. Hence, they founded a non-profit organization to encourage and make possible creative respite opportunities for these families. As executive director of this non-profit, The LaChris Connection, Louise became intimately aware of the common and unique challenges of parenting children with a variety of diagnoses.

Serving families and preparing curriculum for national workshops has enabled her to bring practical gems of advice to listeners. Folks will not only be pampered and enjoy sharing rejuvenating laughter and tears, they’ll take home with them solid ideas to keep the respite going!

Along with parents themselves, this retreat can fortify the compassion and understanding of family, friends, and outside care providers who might attend. Your event can be customized to suit your needs – informational and reflective, relaxing and pampering, or any combined emphasis you wish to request!

In her “Hope for Change” seminars and retreats, Louise uses her self-crafted “Cycles of Growth” charts (see illustrations below) to help illuminate audiences. As you’ll see, these perpetual diagrams reveal patterns of self-reliant choices that lead to struggle and defeat versus God-reliant choices that lead to freedom and transformation.

Prepare to hear yourself saying, “Oh, that makes sense! Yes, I can choose that small step!” as the content of this presentation offers clear choices that can lead to lasting change.

We often find ourselves butting up against ineffective learned behaviors. Yet, throughout life we have also tasted triumph in overcoming certain character flaws, leaving us optimistic about change. “Hope for Change” removes certain mysteries behind why our best efforts sometimes result in setbacks versus progress. Attendees will sense hope for future victories. Practical, attainable, drill-down applications are offered, making this an opportunity with great take-aways.

Louise offers her own honest, down-to-earth accounts of valuable breakthroughs from burdensome cycles. Enjoy learning how God’s healing grace and unconditional love can influence growth in our lives. Any group looking to equip participants with skills to break out of sabotaging patterns into more peaceful lives will appreciate this experience. Louise can add these “Cycles of Growth” teachings to your planned event or provide a full-day or weekend retreat.