Individualized Empowerment Plan | Welcome to Believe in a Ray of Hope

Pebbles in the Pond launched May 20th and I shared my story in West Hartford, CT, in a wonderful gathering orchestrated by Kimberly Burnham. Mary Dirksen and I joined Kimberly, Sheila Pearl and Stacy Lee Goforth at the Atma Center. Learn more about this wonderful experience and learn how you can join us at the Pond.

I hope you enjoyed my transformational journey. In connecting with Christine Kloser, I’ve become a published author, met amazing people, like Kimberly Burnham, Mary Dirksen, and Betty Marchorro. Together, we came together from around the world and dreamed bigger dreams. I want you to join us at the Pond. Together, we can transform our lives, the lives of those we love, and the lives of those we touch. Please join me.

I want you to share your message, write your book, and launch your Individualized Empowerment Plan (IEP). (Finally, an IEP for Me!)

There’s a massive transformational event happening this week that is helping thousands of aspiring authors transform the world… through the power of the written word!

==> Check it out here!

If you have you ever wanted to write, publish and market a life-changing book, you’ve got to see what my friend, Christine Kloser is up to! Thousands of people are already on board for this program (it started on Monday), so you still have time to register and listen to ALL of the classes!

To order your copy of Pebbles in the Pond, to get your Transformational Pack, and to schedule your complimentary 30 minute IEP strategy session with me, go to: http://www.believeinarayofhope.com/pebbles-in-the-pond-book Hoping to see you rippling soon!!

For the last few weeks, my mind has been going a 100 miles an hour as I think about what it really means to have your own Personal Empowerment Plan.

If you remember Sandra, Tara and I shared the idea of “An IEP for Me!” After it became clear to us that:

You are concerned about your future and your child’s future too;
You are concerned that your child is not prepared for the transitions ahead;
You are exhausted, frustrated and immobilized;
You wonder if this is just another transition or a never ending road;
You are losing your hopes, your dreams and your determination to move forward

…and the list goes on.

For years we have been on a mission to empower Special Needs Families and to help them live better lives.

We want all Special Needs Families to have Villages that offer them excellent resources, information and support – their own Oasis of Hope.

There are too many exhausted, frustrated and burned out parents, advocates and caregivers. We know we can’t fulfill our mission on our own and we know there isn’t enough time to do individual coaching (plus there is a benefit to sharing with a like-minded community).

Here’s Where We’re At…

Although “An IEP for Me!” is not ready for a large public launch, the pre-launch version of the program will soon be going live.

When the training program stores OFFICIALLY open, we want to have all the kinks worked out.

We want to ensure that our online program has been carefully crafted from the ground up to meet your needs, and that our online environment works without a hitch, that the conference call service we use meets any needs that might crop up. And on and on and on.

And so we are offering an initial limited group of 30 people to join us in the inaugural “An IEP for Me!” Group Coaching Program for 50% off the price.

Here’s the trade-off…

As members of the first coaching program, we’ll want extra feedback and participation from you. We want you to give us lots of input on the content and how it is delivered (live versus recorded for example), what content you would like us to spend more or less time on, and let us know as soon as possible if there’s online technological problem (and then be patient with us as we work to get it fixed quickly).

As part of the “First 30″, we’ll want your thoughts on our online environment, we’ll want you to heavily use the Facebook group and fill it with case studies, we’ll want you to fill out 2 to 3 additional surveys, and serve in an advisory role by becoming members of a virtual advisory “focus group” to help this program be the very best it can be.

Oh yeah, you will also get special “First 30″ status, which will come with its own perks, like discount on future products, classes and seminars.

Finally, if we’re going to give you 50% off, you need to be completely committed to creating your own Individualized Empowerment Plan.

What we’ll cover in the “An IEP for Me!” Group Coaching Program.

We will describe in more detail on April 9th, but we wanted to give you an overall picture of what the program entails.

We plan to give Moms of Young Adults with Special Needs what we have needed most throughout the years:

Appreciation;
A Circle of Support;
Stress Reducing Activities; and
Resources for Refueling.

From personal experience, I know Mom feels especially vulnerable and isolated as her child with special needs approaches adulthood. As she watches her child approach graduation without clearly defined goals, she begins to panic. She watches in horror, as the supports she has used to structure her young adults day, fall away. Upon graduation, this Mom sees her child struggle to fill his days and this breaks her heart. This Mom feels as if she is traveling alone through a desert with the weight of her young adult firmly on her back and clenching tightly to her neck. This mom is thirsty for hope and support. She is stressed and tired. I have wandered this desert and I have found an oasis and I wish to share it with you.

Parents, Educators and Advocates, all seek to prepare our youth with special needs for self-sustaining jobs and independent living. This is complex undertaking and requires planning and collaboration. It is a daunting task and not a job that can be done in isolation. It is a job that requires initiative, persistence, concentrated effort, networking, and teamwork!

Benefits from participating in An IEP for Me Group Coaching Program

It will help you form a team of support for this transition and for all the transitions to come;
It will put you on firm footing as you confront the myriad of responsibilities you face as a parent, educator or advocate of students with different abilities; and
You will be given an opportunity to acknowledge your abilities, to affirm your values, and to validate your goals.

This Group Coaching Program will be available to you via internet or phone. You will be able to listen to calls live or in a replay mode at your convenience. You will be able to bounce ideas off Sandra, Tara and me and others in our Coaching Circle. You will get the guidance and support you need in a way that works best for you.

Each week, you will get a:

50 minute audio class;
Implementation exercises;
E-mail access to your coach;
Private Facebook Group

* Bi-weekly Group Coaching Calls

We’ll work on:

What is Keeping you Awake at Night
Challenges in your job, in your life, or in your relationships
Current and Future transitions for you and your child
Discovering your dreams, passions and purpose
Finding positive support and resources
Connecting with your values and strength
Gaining clarity, collaboration and support for your direction and actions

If you wish to be re-energized, refueled and refreshed … if you wish to launch your Individualized Empowerment Plan and be the Role Model you were meant to be, Finally, An IEP for ME, A Group Coaching Program for Parents, Special Educators and Advocates, may be just what you need to connect with your power and fellow travelers.

Perhaps, April 2012 can represent a new beginning for you and the ones you love….

Let’s Find Out!
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Scheduled for April 10th and April 12th!

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Learn Why We Say:

If Mama Ain’t Transitioning, Ain’t Nobody Transitioning!

Scheduled for April 10th and April 12th!

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So let’s review again…
How to become a “First 30″ of the “An IEP for Me!” Group Coaching Program.
On Monday, April 9th at around 8 PM Eastern, we’ll be sending you a thorough overview of the program.

At that time, we’ll also start enrolling the “First 30″ into the program.
By Monday Afternoon we will have a proper order form ready along with a lengthy description of what “An IEP for Me!” Group Coaching Program entails, when everything begins etc.

But if you’re already sure you want to do this, and don’t want to wait until Monday, then just send payment by clicking here and I’ll make sure you get a spot.

We are offering this since we have received emails asking how they can assure that they have one of the first 30 spots.

IMPORTANT: Read This!!
This program is for those who are serious about creating their own Individualized Empowerment Plan. It is a comprehensive, all-inclusive program and SO much more than just a “how-to manual.” So please only enter this program if you’re serious about making a difference in your life and the life of your loved ones.

Sandra, Tara and I have been working very hard to gather all of the resources and tools that we will need if we decide to offer our the group coaching program “Finally, An IEP for Me!”

During this time, my family has been really wonderful with me while I put in the extra time and energy on this project. They know how important this work is to me and I want to take this opportunity to thank all of them. I’m working lots of hours to make all of this come together and they have been so supportive. Thank YOU!

As I write this post, Sandra, Tara and I are getting the 2 part Webinar ready for delivery and hope you will join us when we launch “If Mama Ain’t Transitioning, Ain’t Nobody Transitioning” in early April. It will give you a great idea of what you can expect to get in participating in our “Finally, An IEP for Me!” group coaching program.

In preparing for these upcoming events, I looked at my past work and came across a wonderful audio interview that I did with Christine Arylo from DareYouToLive.com. It was very well received and I was encouraged to sell it again but since (A) I love giving things away, and (B) it’s a way to thank you for all the great feedback you’ve given me and (C) I really think this will help you… I have decided to give it away.

At least for now. I may include it in an official coaching program curriculum in the future… I haven’t decided yet. So…

Here’s What I’d LOVE For You To Do:

If you are really serious about developing your own Individualized Empowerment Plan and be coached by Sandra, Tara and me then…I’d really, from the bottom of my heart, appreciate it if you click on this link and fill out this three question survey. It will take 3 minutes. The first question is: “what free product about personal empowerment would you LOVE for us to create for you?”

I want to hear exactly what YOU want. And as a “thank you” you’ll get my interview with Christine Arylo from DareYouToLive.com for free. It’s that simple.

Anyway, I’d be so happy and full of gratitude if you’d click here and fill out my short survey.

With much appreciation,
Doreen

In case you’re wondering, this post is a follow up to this post.

Tara, Sandra and I are thinking of doing a free preview webinar, entitled: “If Mama Ain’t Transitioning, Ain’t Nobody Transitioning” but before we do it, we want to make sure you are interested. More details below…

How this all began…

Back in 1999, Robert, my youngest son was in 3rd grade. He had been on an IEP for almost 3 years, and he was struggling mightily in the classroom and I was struggling mightily to get him what he needed. Meanwhile, I was also trying to raise his brother and sister and they had unique challenges and learning differences too. I had adopted my two youngest children, Sandra and Robert, four years before and while our initial connection was blissful, it became quite evident, in the years ahead, that I had gotten in over my head. I simply didn’t understand the Special Needs system and balancing our needs and expectations was overwhelming to say the least.

My husband and I were working full time outside of our home and we had a wonderful AuPair from Spain living with us. We helped her to get what she needed while she helped us with the day to day logistics of raising a family. As my trips to the school escalated, my concerns mounted, and my temper erupted. My husband while supportive wasn’t sure what was happening. He constantly assured me and others that he was sure, that I could handle any school related problem as I had a Master’s Degree in Education with a major in Counseling. Little, did he know, that I was sinking, day by day. I wasn’t taking care of myself and barely managing to take care of them. And actually, I wasn’t caring for them emotionally at all.

One day, a dear teacher gave to me a wonderful pocket story book all about how wonderful moms needed wonderful bubble baths… In a flash, I realized that she was encouraging me to slow down, to relax and soak in a bubble bath! All of a sudden, I let her message soak in and I realized that: “Being Self-ish isn’t being selfish.”

What?

Wow.

Wait a minute…

Really?

It was an epiphany and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was a life changing moment for me. For the better – a whole lot better.

I knew – KNEW – that I had to take care of myself before I could care for them, so I could care for them.

Flash forward to 2012

I “met” Sandra Pearson of Our Special Families Village on LinkedIn and we really hit it off and decided to share our challenges and visions in couple of interviews. I knew that many Moms, Caregivers and Service Providers here at our Oasis of Hope and Support needed to hear the same message I had heard. And I knew Sandra could bring it to them. So I interviewed her. I had some wonderful feedback on our interviews.

One Mom told Sandra, “I know it’s true, but when I try to do something for me I feel such guilt. There’s always something that needs to be done, how can I possibly just take off with my girlfriends for dinner and a movie much less dream my own dreams?”

Our response was, “How can you not?”

Those conversations made me realize that a lot of Moms and Caregivers really needed more than just interviews. As I spoke with more people I realized that something needed to be done.

So that was when Sandra, Tara and I put our heads together.

We’ve been blessed to learn the value of taking care of ourselves and that we can have our own dreams and that those dreams can come true.

We know that there are certain things we did to make those things happen.

And we know that those tools can help you do it too.

We’ve been working to help spread that message but we know that more can be done to help you create your own Oasis of Hope. We know that a Village can help you do it.

So here’s what we feel compelled to do…

We want to create a Village just for you. Your own Oasis of Hope where you can gain clarity, figure out what you want, and then make it happen. This is an IEP for You! Your very own Individualized Empowerment Plan.

Does this sound good to you?

Then here is what I want you to do…

I’m making a list of everyone potentially interested in attending our free preview webinar “If Mama Ain’t Transitioning, Ain’t Nobody Transitioning.” If this sounds like something you might be interested in, enter your first name and email address below:

No Spam Promise: We will never share your information.

If enough people get on this “interest list” then we’ll put together the preview webinar “If Mama Ain’t Transitioning, Ain’t Nobody Transitioning” and send you the details.

Tag Archives: Individualized Empowerment Plan

Sharing My Story, Dropping My Pebble in the Pond

THE SNEAK PEEK: A Major “An IEP for Me!” Group Coaching Program Announcement

Join us for these fun, interactive sessions!

Scheduled for April 10th and April 12th!

Listen Live or Access Webinars via Replays

Get all details by registering below.

Learn Why We Say:

If Mama Ain’t Transitioning, Ain’t Nobody Transitioning!

Scheduled for April 10th and April 12th!

Listen Live or Access Webinars via Replays

Get all details by registering above.

Interested in Creating Your Individualized Empowerment Plan? My interview with Christine Arylo

Confessions of a Selfish Mom – from then to now and not looking back!

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