West Georgia Woman Magazine May 2017

Woman Complimentary

May 2017

West Georgia TM

Sara Claudia Tillman 8 Signs Your Relationship Might be Over

Her Vision for the Future

Protect Your Child From Sexual Abuse

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This publication is dedicated in loving memory of

Tristan Alexander Brooks May 15,1993 - September 17,2015

Happy Birthday

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Changing our Name, Not our Focus

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Happy Mother's Day

What’s inside...

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More Than Meets the Eye

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Hands of Hope Update

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Is Your Relationship Over?

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Talk to Your Children About Sexual Abuse

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Take Charge of Your Mental Health

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Local Happenings

In Every Issue:

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34

Daily Fare

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Womentality

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Celebrate Her Success

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Kidz Korner

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Southern Home & Ranch 7

Change is a Constant

Wow, I have so much to tell you this month. By the time you read this, the end of school will be near and you're probably getting excited just thinking about your summer vacation on the horizon. Be patient, we only have a few weeks of school left! I am excited, but a little sad. As the school year ends, my daughter Sydney will have only one year left of high school. I've been thinking a good deal lately about what life will be like when she graduates and heads out on her own for college, and I'm missing her already. But I realize life is about change, and change is the only definite thing we can really count on to happen in our lives.

Both of my beautiful children will be celebrating their birthdays this month. Zach will be 23 on May 17 and Sydney will be 17 on May 15. My sweet nephew Tristan's birthday is also on May 15. He would have been 24 this year. I am very excited to celebrate my children's birthdays with them, but I still experience such deep sadness at the loss of Tristan, and at the thought of never celebrating with him again on his birthday. I miss him so very much every day, and that is one thing that never changes.

Speaking of change, it is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Shala Hainer, my dear friend, editorial contributor and copy editor of West Georgia Woman magazine, will no longer be writing our cover feature every month. Shala is a full-time realtor and has simply gotten too busy to write with her heavy workload.

Although I will miss her amazing ability to create what I consider to be a beautifully written masterpiece for all of us on a monthly basis, I am very glad that she will still continue to work with us as our copy editor.

A few months ago I went to work attempting to find the best writer possible to fill her shoes. After interviewing several people, I am excited to bring Janet Flanigan on board as our cover feature writer.

Janet lives in Newnan, Ga., and has many years of experience as a journalist. She has written for local newspapers and magazines in Newnan and LaGrange, and while living in California she wrote for The Pasadena Star-News.

I am also excited to tell you we will begin including our first male editorial contributor in future issues.

Although I have had many men ask to write for the magazine, I have been hesitant to bring a man on board as a writer simply because I wanted to keep the magazine editorial from the perspective of women, with the exception of contributions by men to our annual "Man Issue." Mr. Gil Royal, a retired engineer from Carrollton, Ga., reached out to me about publishing his poetry in West Georgia Woman, and sent me several samples of his work. I read the samples and immediately wanted to see more. His poetry is beautiful and very relatable to women. Gil's first submission, "Better Stuff," is included on page 33.

We are very happy to welcome Janet and Gil to the West Georgia Woman magazine editorial team.

In This Issue Our cover feature this month is Sara Claudia Tillman. In May 2015, Sara Claudia, only 20 years old at the time, lost her vision in both eyes and hearing in one ear. I had a chance meeting with her during a visit to the Carrollton, Ga., Lion's Club where she was the guest speaker. She told the club about her experience since losing her vision, and I was amazed at her incredible poise and grace in spite of what she had been through. I knew immediately I had to tell her story of fantastic faith and determination. She is an amazing young woman, and she is also the youngest woman who has ever been on our cover. I know you'll enjoy reading about Sara Claudia beginning on page 10.

This month we celebrate the success of one of our own. Cheryl Francis, a regular editorial contributor of West Georgia Woman magazine, licensed professional counselor and owner of The Heart Matters Wellness Services located in Austell, Ga. Cheryl is a wonderful therapist, and a compassionate and caring person. Join me in celebrating with her as she shares her own success story on page 42.

As always, please give our valuable advertising supporters a call and tell them "thank you" for providing the funds we use to create this beautiful magazine for you every month, or stop by and do business with them. Without our fabulous advertisers, West Georgia Woman magazine would not be possible! I wish all of you a very wonderful Mother's Day full of happiness and joy.

Happy Mother's Day!

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Publisher

Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a difference.

TM

West Georgia Woman is a voice for and about the women who live and work in West Georgia.

Our mission is to engage, inspire, and cultivate a cohesive community for all women in West Georgia by sharing our hopes, our dreams and our lives.

This magazine would not be possible without the inclusion of our advertisers. Please be sure to show your support by doing business with these VIP’s (very important partners) so we will be able to continue to share with you our stories about amazing West Georgia women!

Please be sure to tell them we sent you!

Inspiring women wanted.

Do you know an interesting woman who should be on the cover of West Georgia Woman? Is there a special project or organization you would like us to feature in our magazine?

Let us know!

Email your suggestions to: features@westgeorgiawoman.com Share your special events.

Send your upcoming events to: calendar@westgeorgiawoman.com Send us your photos!

We welcome your local event and wedding photos.

We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Woman

TM

Volume 2 • Issue 7 May 2017

Contact us: Angela@westgeorgiawoman.com (404) 502-0251 Online: www.westgeorgiawoman.com Follow us!

Facebook.com/@WestGaWoman

Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor Editorial Contributor

@WestGAWoman

Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Instagram.com/westgawoman

Photographer for cover and Pages 6 & 8

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West Georgia Woman is a monthly publicaegies expressed by the contributing tion of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of this authors are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, issue are copyright 2017. West Georgia Wompositions or strategies of Angel Media, an magazine, its logo and “Finding our voice.

LLC., West Georgia Woman magazine Knowing our value. Making a difference.” are or any employee thereof. Angel Media, trademarks of Angel Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is LLC. makes no representations as to strictly prohibited.

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West Georgia

Mail correspondence to: West Georgia Woman P.O. Box 2782 Carrollton, GA 30112

Keith May

Editorial Contributors

Sara Anderson, L.P.C., Charlene Brooks, Julie Culpepper, Janet Flanigan, Cheryl A. Francis, L.P.C., and G.S. Royal

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Zachary@westgeorgiawoman.com Angela Brooks Dailey, publisher of West Georgia Woman magazine, has lived in West Georgia most of her life and has a deep love and appreciation for the area. She received her B.B.A in management from The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga., and is a Civil and Domestic Relations mediator and arbitrator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. She lives in Carrollton, and has two wonderful children, Zachary and Sydney Dailey.

Angela enjoys reading, spending time with her children and extended family and loves to watch Sydney play soccer.

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More Than Meets the Eye

Photos by Keith May 10

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Young Woman Lives Life to Fullest After Losing Sight and Hearing

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he arena lights are down, but the stage is lit – bright, hot, pulsing and the Backstreet Boys are giving it all in concert at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Up in the very front, arms reach up to the stage for recognition during the encore song “Everyone.” Along the stage edge, the superstar singers fleetingly touch the fans’ hands, joined by the voices of 4,600 fans. Suddenly, one of the Backstreet Boys places his microphone in one of the upthrust hands, and the young woman who holds the microphone sings: We've been inside the circus We take the pleasure with the pain I guess there's something about us Whatever comes around will always stay the same Oh yeah

By Janet Flanigan

Let's get on with the show (Oh let's get started) Turn the lights down low (Turn the lights down low) You were there from the start

Suddenly Things Have Changed Two years have passed since Sara Claudia Tillman of Carrollton first visited Las Vegas with her parents, Frederick and Sally, on a whirlwind family adventure.

The three returned to Vegas in March 2017, joined

by Sara Claudia’s sister, Beth, Beth’s husband, Price, and Sara Claudia’s brother Walt. It’s on this return trip that Sara Claudia and Beth are in the front row and Beth keeps pulling Sara Claudia’s hand up toward the stage.

Sara Claudia and her family from left: Brother Walt, mother Sally, Sara Claudia, sister Beth, father Rick and Beth's husband Price.

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Suddenly, Sara Claudia finds herself holding the microphone. With no hesitancy, she sings along with the “Boys” with a youthful energy of her generation.

What no one else in arena knows is Sara Claudia hasn’t actually seen any of the concert: she recently lost her vision. She and her family have returned to

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Las Vegas as a celebration of sorts.

In the two years since they were last there, because of a still unknown complication following a routine surgery, Sara Claudia lost the vision in both of her eyes and hearing in one ear. This return trip is a celebration of triumph for her and a thankfulness for how much she has already accomplished.

“I constantly suffered from tonsillitis, and at the end of my junior year at Berry College, it was decided I needed to have my tonsils removed,” Sara Claudia explains.

She says everything about her surgery was routine, and afterward, she went to her family home in Carrollton to recover.

Her mother Sally kept close watch and fortunately checked on her throughout the night.

“At 3 a.m., Mom couldn’t wake me up,” Sara Claudia says. She was taken by ambulance first to a local hospital, then immediately to Emory University Hospital.

After about five days at Emory, she began to wake up. She noticed she couldn’t see anything and had lost her hearing in one ear.

She has no memories from the operation until about two weeks post-surgery. The doctors first thought the blindness might be caused by inflammation and

Sara Claudia has many tools at her fingertips that make her life easier. She is currently reading the book "The Pelican Brief" by John Grisham in braille (top left.) Bottom left: The cane Sara Claudia uses to travel safely through the world. Right: Sara Claudia sends a text from her phone to a friend.

tried a variety of treatments with no positive results. “The irony is my dad is an eye doctor, and he just wants to fix the situation. My parents have taken me all over the world for answers and help,� she says.

They’ve traveled as far as Germany and China for answers, but so far, the key eludes them. She worries the situation is tougher on her parents than on her because they are so devoted to their family.

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Sara Claudia quickly decided she could not let the blindness and hearing loss be what defines her. “I never really had a panicked moment,” she emphasizes. “I’ve had my moments, don’t get me wrong, but I just had to tell myself ‘OK, what do I do next? I know God has a special plan for me.’’’

New Normal With amazing strength of will, Sara Claudia decided she needed to live independently, get back to college and continue riding her beloved horses. An extremely accomplished rider, Sara Claudia has ridden since she was 6 and was a nationally ranked member of the Berry College Equestrian team.

“I’ve never been the type to just sit around,” she explains. “I needed to learn to be independent, and my family found me a specialist called an orientation and mobility (O&M) trainer.” An O&M specialist provides instruction that can help people develop or relearn skills to travel safely in the home, community and the world.

“My mobility trainer really gave me confidence,” she says, revealing one of her least favorite parts of the lessons. “Learning to use a cane was awful.”

O&M training helps you learn to use all of your senses in getting around while using the cane, but it takes time, patience and practice.

Other senses become heightened, and even with her hearing loss, Sara Sara Claudia and Bella at a full gallop. This was her first time riding without being Claudia says she recognizes different guided by her coach since losing her sight. Inset: Sara Claudia tacking up Bella. sounds and is more aware of them.

She says getting around her own Michigan, with the sponsorship of the local Lion’s house wasn’t too difficult because it was familiar.

Club, to attend guide dog training school. While a Since she previously had sight, she can basically seeing-eye dog may be a possibility in the future, imagine where things are and how to navigate. she says she has to learn to walk better with her Walking around in public is much more difficult, cane before being paired with a canine companion. although tools such as canes and technology make She’s still deciding whether a seeing-eye dog is it easier. “It is still scary learning to cross busy the right fit for her situation. “Going to Michigan intersections, but I’m getting there,” she relates. was really good," she shares. "Meeting and being Since her surgery, she has twice traveled solo to around happy and successful blind people helped

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placements in national horse shows, and used those instincts to mount right back up. “I think my mom was a little nervous, but when I got on and cantered around the arena, I felt so at home,” she recalls.

She says there was no hesitancy about riding again, but she decided to switch from jumping’s English style to Western. This was not because Western riding is safer or easier – it’s not – but because Sara Claudia wanted to learn a new style of riding. Her own show horse, Charlie, a beloved 30-year old Trakehner-Hanoverian cross, (pictured on the cover with Sara Claudia,) is comfortably retired at a friend’s farm in Bowdon, Ga. She currently has a lease on a dependable, well-mannered horse named Bella. “I don’t have any fear around horses and I never have been fearful, so handling, grooming and tacking up are all second-nature to me,” she says.

Tackling Daily Tasks Technology has helped ease her transition on this journey. "I use Apple products because of their audible features for sending and receiving texts, emails, Facebook and other functions," she relates. "The computer and phone talk to you and it’s easy Sara Claudia with her braille notetaker. This device works like a computer to help her create to use them." Most computers files in braille and connects to her other devices like her iPad® through Bluetooth.™ offer accessibility features for the visually impaired so users can a lot. But I haven’t decided on a dog yet. Not every decide which operating system they prefer. blind person needs or uses a guide dog to get There are many other technology products, around. I may be fine without one so I just have to features and apps, such as Audio Decipher, that help see if caring for a dog fits in with my lifestyle.” the blind navigate everything from books to Netflix to audiobooks to GPS. She also learned braille – it took her one year to learn, and she says it isn't as Back In The Saddle easy as you think it might be – but she says braille books, magazines or other printed materials are Sara Claudia made it a priority to ride horses physically much larger and more cumbersome than again as soon as possible. She took her natural traditional publications, and they take up much more ability, which in the past had taken her to top-five

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storage space. “My Bible (in braille) might take up the whole house!” she jokes.

Reading isn’t the only challenge Sara Claudia is overcoming. She is discovering that the loss of her sight means relearning ordinary tasks, which can require creativity, fortitude and constant improvisation to take care of previously simple things. Even getting dressed becomes problematic.

Do the colors and styles go together? Are the separates seasonally appropriate? Does the outfit look good?

Sara Claudia has developed a system for organizing her clothes to make the coordination of outfits practical and workable. She divides her clothes into different types, such as separating her shirts by sleeve length, which she keeps separate from her pants and skirts. She groups each style of clothing in the closet, then separates each group with a trash bag that she hangs, shirt-style, over a hanger. She can feel her clothes, and when she touches a bag divider, she knows she is in a different grouping.

“I often recognize my clothes by their feel on the hanger,” she relates. “But I also have a tool called PenFriend that records my voice naming the item. I

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click on the clothes label, and the PenFriend enters it into its memory. Then later if I don’t recognize the clothing, I point and click the PenFriend at the label, and it tells me what it is.” This tool also helps organize other items such as jewelry and undergarments.

As a naturally pretty young woman, Sara Claudia never needs much makeup, but for special occasions, she likes to put on a touch of color. She says she can do her own light-colored eye shadow and apply mascara, and her sister helps if Sara Claudia wants a more detailed look. She wears her hair long, sometimes pulling it up into a ponytail or a braid.

For her meals, Sara Claudia prefers healthy eating and cooking. Doctors initially thought her blindness might be caused by inflammation, and she was prescribed a course of steroids. This caused her to gain quite a bit of weight, but she has taken it

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all off with healthy eating and exercise. She even completed her first 5K run this year. She is enjoying learning to cook, and has found that a slow-cooker helps her have a healthy, home-cooked meal ready and waiting after a busy day.

Positive Outlook After the surgery and subsequent changes to her vision and hearing, she took the next summer and fall semesters off from college. She used the time to work on gaining independence so she could return to school, and regular life, as soon as possible.

She returned to Berry College – Sara Claudia was the first visually impaired student the college had ever had – and the administration was helpful in accommodating her new lifestyle. However, she ultimately decided to leave Berry and is currently enrolled at the University of West Georgia.

Prior to the surgery, she was a psychology major but is now focused on special education. “I’d like to help children overcome their difficulties,” she explains. She is just beginning her classwork for teaching but believes her experience and attitude can help children deal with challenges they are facing.

Like most college students, she has made new friends and maintains some long-term friendships. It has sometimes been a little surprising which friends are able or unable to handle the changes in her life.

But in her philosophical way, Sara Claudia doesn’t let it get her down. “Some of my older friends don’t really know what to say to me so they avoid me," she shares. "But my new friends (from West Georgia) treat me like everyone else." Relating to others without being able to see their body language can also be a challenge. "I miss facial expressions because you can tell what people mean by the way they look,” she says.

Sitting at a table with several people can be difficult for Sara Claudia when people talk at the same time, especially because she can only hear out of her right ear. “It is easier to have a one-on-one conversation," she shares. "But my hearing in the right ear is better than normal. My other senses like smell and touch are a little better, too.”

Sara Claudia had a boyfriend back at Berry College but they had parted ways prior to her surgery. “I don’t have time for a special person right now,” she relates.

As if all of her current activities weren’t enough, Sara Claudia plans much more travel as part of her bucket list. She’s had the opportunity to visit much

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Jwyanda Norman Owner Call Today 678.739.1740 of the world and she says you can still enjoy things without seeing them.

In November 2015, she received a special trip via a country music superstar. The father of a friend from Berry College is friends with Garth Brooks' manager, and Sara Claudia’s story was passed along to Garth and his wife, Tricia Yearwood.

“I got a package in the mail from his personal assistant with all kinds of Garth t-shirts, photos and things," she smiles. "Then Garth called me and told me ‘we had to have a date.’” So my family flew to San Diego and I got to hang out with him and Tricia in the Green Room!”

Her family is planning a trip to the Disney resort in Hawaii this spring, and while she's there she can’t wait to go on hikes, excursions, zip lines and enjoy a spa day.

“I trust in God’s plans for me,” she states, saying she is ready to make the most of the life He has given her. Whatever God’s plan is, Sara Claudia sees her life as limitless. She remains hopeful there might one day be a restoration of her sight and hearing, but she is not sitting around waiting for the day. “I’ve already accomplished so much in my life, and I know happiness is a choice,” she explains. WGW

Do's and Dont's When Hanging Out With Your Blind Friend: Tips From Sara Claudia 1. DO speak to me directly. Do not speak to me through the person I am with.

2. DO address me by saying my name or touching my arm and identify yourself when in a group setting.

3. DON'T be afraid to use phrases like "Did you see ... ". It's just a figure of speech and won't offend me.

4. DON'T use phrases like "over here" or "right here," when giving me directions.

5. DO let me know when you leave the room. I don't enjoy talking to myself !

6. DO talk to me about TV and movies. I still enjoy these things.

7. DO feel free to ask me questions about how I do things.

It's pretty interesting.

8. DON'T open doors for me.

Although I appreciate the gesture, it's easier to stay oriented if I get the door myself. (This is a personal preference, not all blind people feel the same. If you're unsure about what to do, please ask if you can get the door.)

9. DON'T assume that I can't do something before you ask. You might be surprised.

10. DO relax and be yourself. If you are an old friend, treat me like you used to. If you are a new friend, get to know me. I am so much more than my disability.

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Is Your Relationship

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re you miserable in your relationship? Are you wondering if there is any hope left at all? Every couple goes through hard times in their relationship at some point, but is it really time to hang it up and call a lawyer? How do you know when you should call it quits, if ever?

Before you start arguing over who gets that ugly gravy boat his Aunt Doris gave you on your wedding day that's been in storage during the duration of your marriage, take a look at these signs your relationship may really be over.

1. You would rather do anything other than spend time with him. When you fantasize about how much more fun getting a root canal would be for you than being in the same room with him for more than five minutes, you are treading on dangerous ground indeed.

2. You dream about what your life would be like without him. Sure, everyone feels like they need to get away from their significant other sometimes, but when you find yourself frantically looking for houses for sale or rent on your way home from work, and you've joined every real estate social media group available within a 100-mile radius, you may be

on the way out. Oh, and you get bonus points for decorating your future living room in your mind during sex.

3. Those annoying little things he does aren't cute anymore (they weren't anyway.) He snores – really loudly. He blows his nose and drops the tissue two feet away from the waste basket and just leaves it there for you to pick up. His bathroom habits are deplorable, and he watches those stupid shows about "pimping" cars and people doing sophomoric and ridiculous things to hurt themselves, and he actually enjoys it!

4. He is more in love with his phone, tablet, computer or all three, than he is with you. He spends all of his free time trolling Facebook checking out the apparently amazing lives of all 500 "friends" he barely knows, builds forts and villages for Clash of Clans and spends the rest of his time looking at sports and pornography. Then, he feels angry and neglected because you decided to make better use of your time and go out with your friends or family during the three hours you would have spent watching him play with his electronic devices. If you were into

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5. You discreetly stare at him with fascination as you contemplate why you were ever attracted to him in the first place. Were you delusional? Drugged? Were your body and mind overpowered by aliens? A Stockholm Syndrome victim, perhaps? It remains a mystery.

6. You often wonder if you committed some really horrible sin in a previous life and

Karma is making you pay dearly. And you don't even believe in reincarnation.

7. Your work is a refuge. When you would rather stay at the office and work into the wee hours of the morning rather than hear him utter one. single. word. Sad, but oh, so true.

8. You've stopped caring about anything he says or does. He had an argument with some jerk who had road rage today – so what? He tells you he is thinking about buying sod this year for the backyard – who cares? He had a rough day at work – and? Thanks to years of putting up with his horrid shenanigans, you just don't care anymore. In fact, just listening to him speak lately makes filing your taxes seem so much more fun and exciting to you.

So is your relationship over? Only you can be the judge of that, and if you can't relate to any of the above signs then your relationship may not be as bad as you think.

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Charles D. Procter, Jr., MD, FACS, FASMBS

Take Charge of Your Mental Health

By Cheryl Francis

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A

about your demise.

We bring awareness to mental health issues so that one day we can identify it as an illness like cancer, diabetes and even HIV. Mental health awareness’ intent is to remove the stigma associated with mental health so we can speak freely, seek help easily and intentionally advocate for those who experience the symptoms of a mental illness. For example, death by suicide.

Suicide is sometimes associated with untreated mental illness. Suicide does not discriminate. It does not look at your ZIP code, the color of your skin, ethnicity or whether you were loved beyond

s we take time out in the month of May to bring awareness to mental health, it is important for us to reflect on the reason for the awareness. Many of us have lived in shame, through no fault of our own, due to the challenges of experiencing a mental illness, or having a family member or loved one with a mental illness.

It is indeed a burden, especially when struggling in secret, trying to hide and manage your own mental health. However, if you do not have the appropriate supports, if you have not done anything to care for yourself, that burden may bring

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It’s the little things in life that...

ANNOY YOU!!

in and possibly save someone else’s life. We all possess the ability to smile, touch, listen, empathize and just be there for those experiencing a mental From, ‘unsticking’ doors to storage solutions, cleaning illness.

How do you do it? To empower yourself, I gutters to a fresh coat of paint, hanging curtains to encourage you to take a mental health first aid a new kitchen! Plus decking and landscaping work.

Maintenance, Repairs and training. This training provides members of the public with essential skills to help someone who is Remodeling by developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

Just as CPR training helps a layperson without Call Richard 770.688.5649 or medical training to assist an individual having a health email arturnbull66@gmail.com emergency, mental health first aid training helps a layperson assist someone experiencing a mental measure. health crisis.

The hopelessness and feelings of utter despair, If you or someone you know is hurting, feeling and the thought that you would be better off dead, unlike their usual self, afraid or simply need someone if not addressed, brings you into a downward to talk to, please reach out to one of the resources spiraling black hole.

Too often when someone dies by suicide, we give listed below. Someone will reach back to you. Know it another label, or we are afraid to say exactly what that you matter! You are so deeply valued, and your happened. We are uncomfortable with the thought life is worth it! WGW of suicide or even saying the word. We are ashamed, Mental Health Resources and more often than not society seems to tell us “if -If you are experiencing a crisis, call the Georgia Crisis we only had done this or that … ” basically placing and Access Line (GCAL) at 1.800.715.4225 blame.

-Call to schedule a mental health first aid training at 678.754.5840 When someone dies as a result of cancer, -Reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at diabetes and HIV, is there ever blame cast? No. We 800.273.TALK (8255) accept it for what it is – a potentially fatal illness that -Trans Lifeline is a crisis hotline by and for the we as a society strive daily to find a cure. transgender community 877.565.8860 Mental health awareness, if anything, should help -If you’d like to talk to a peer, www.warmline.org contains links to warmlines in every state. A warmline us understand that none of us are totally immune. is a peer-run listening line staffed by people in We are all responsible for, and have the power to recovery themselves strengthen the well-being of those around us if we -If you don’t like to talk on the phone, check out take the time to learn how.

Lifeline Crisis Chat at www.crisischat.org or the Crisis In this way we can provide a network of support to Text Line at www.crisistextline.org -The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) identify those who may be struggling and lead them helpline 800.950.6264 to appropriate support. Mental Health America's -Carroll County NAMI 770.830.2048 2017 theme is “Risky Business." Their focus is on -Cobb County NAMI 404.695.5333 educating the public about habits and behaviors which may be signs of mental health challenges, and to empower the public to identify signs of increased Cheryl A. Francis, Licensed Professional Counselor, is the owner of The Heart Matters Wellness Services LLC, a fullrisks or worsening of a mental illness. service counseling agency. She is certified as a Mental Health MHA's hope is to raise awareness of the risks First Aid Adult trainer and involved in promiscuous and risky sex, prescription regularly provides seminars and trainings to the community drug misuse, Internet and gaming addiction, on various mental health excessive spending, illicit drug use and other issues. She has partnered troublesome patterns. with the Georgia Center By raising awareness of these behaviors, they for Child Advocacy to train will help to identify how people are impacted – individuals in the prevention of childhood sexual abuse. Visit young people especially. Along with this, they heartmatterswellness.com for hope to provide the public with resources through more information about Cheryl prevention and intervention efforts. and her work.

You and I have what it takes to make a difference

“The English Guy”

31

Extending a Hand to the Homeless in West Georgia I

UPDATE

n our December 2016 issue, West Georgia Woman magazine published an article on Hands of Hope, a local outreach program dedicated to helping the poor, homeless and elderly in West Georgia.

Sandy Newell, founder of Hands of Hope, leased a 5,000-square-foot building last year that was to be used as a community center to provide temporary housing for men, women and children in need, as well as provide training and assistance to the residents by helping them obtain the tools and resources they would need to be self-sufficient.

This would have been a more long-term solution because once the residents were able to find employment, the community center volunteers would help them by teaching them how to manage their money so they could eventually save up enough funds to have a first month's rent and deposit for a home of their own.

The only option Hands of Hope had before leasing the new building was to place the local homeless population in hotels when possible, which is not always the best environment for children or adults due to the extensive drug use in those locations.

Hands of Hope was able to lease the building for several months, but unfortunately had to close the doors on March 10, 2017. The 501(c)(3) non-profit was unable get the financial backing needed to pay the approximately $3,000 in monthly expenses for the shelter, and had difficulty finding enough volunteers to help with the day-to-day operations.

Fortunately, Hands of Hope was able to place all of the residents elsewhere at the time of closing.

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Sandy has developed strong relationships with many of the county's homeless over the last four years, and she says having these strong bonds with the homeless is very meaningful to her, and to them.

"That's a big part of it for me," she shares. "I'm the hands and feet on the ground. It's not just about helping someone get out of their situation, it's more about building that relationship and trust with people and bringing them up out of wherever they are, because when they're there, a lot of people don't even have hope any more. One of the biggest things they need is to have someone to talk to and to know that someone really cares for them."

As for the future of Hands of Hope, Sandy may have closed the shelter, but she has not stopped helping the poor, homeless and elderly in West Georgia. She still needs help from the community to assist the homeless. "People are passionate about this, they just need direction on what to do to help," she says. "We are in great need of cash donations and restaurant or grocery store gift cards. Whether you give $1, $10 or $10,000 it doesn't matter, every dollar will help us do what we need to do for the homeless in West Georgia.

"No donation is too small. I know our community will come together to help make this happen. I just want everyone to know we have closed the shelter but we will still be serving the community like we have in the past." WGW To find out more or to send a tax deductible donation to Hands of Hope please call 678.839.7537, donate online at www.handsofhopega.org or you may mail a donation to 124 Maple Street, Carrollton, Ga. 30117

Better Stuff

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She knows how to beat adversity, To hold her ground. I want to be that brave, Don’t you? To know that thrill of victory.

To slay my own Goliath and not cave In to fear or the weakness of my flesh.

Her weapons are love, faith, generosity, Forgiveness. She begins each day afresh.

That’s the way I want my life to be, And yet I falter, time and time again.

She puts me to shame. In truth, I can’t deny This woman is made of better stuff than I. G.S. Royal ©2014

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Daily Fare ”Adapt these recipes to your tastes and your lifestyle. That’s what I want you to feel the freedom to do with my recipes. You are more talented and creative than you give yourself credit for!”

Julie Culpepper

Julie Culpepper is a Georgia native who lived in Carrollton for 26 years with her husband Alan and their adult children. She and Alan recently became residents of Wedowee, Ala. Julie became a personal chef after graduating culinary school in 2012 and loves working with two companies that she incorporates into her style of cooking – Branch and Vine in Newnan, and Doterra, an online source for essential oils located in Utah. For further information about contacting Julie or these companies, please feel free to contact her at :

Photo by Keith May

34

jculpep4@gmail.com or culpepperoilsolutions@mydoterra.org or go online to: branchandvineonline.org

A Really Easy Memorial Day Dish and a Jazzed up Weekday Favorite Cornish hens are usually reasonably priced and very easy to make. This Spanish potato salad is really flavorful and very simple if you get a good bruschetta mix (an olive and vegetable combination frequently used to make mufelattas.) Grilling and potato salad in any form is always right and good on Memorial Day weekend!

There are simple ways to make your ordinary weekday entrĂŠes a little more special.

The focus on this pulled pork tortilla bowl dish is the actual tortilla bowl itself. Instead of using store-bought shells, make your own bowls and spice them up with simple seasonings. For the filling, use ingredients or leftovers you already have in the refrigerator or freezer.

For this dish, I used some new seasonings that are being carried by Branch and Vine, and they are very good. The special sauce I created is so easy to make and adds a flavorful touch to an entrĂŠe that could be otherwise ho-hum after eating it so many times throughout your life! A salsa or pico de gallo would also be very good with the tortilla bowl.

Photos by Michelle Horsley

Smoked Cornish Hens with Savory Spanish Potato Salad

Ingredients

4 Cornish hens, thawed

Oil for hens (I used blood orange infused olive oil from Branch & Vine)

Spice blend for hens (I used porcini poultry rub blend from B&V) For potato salad 1 small bag of red potatoes (about 2 pounds)

About 1/2 teaspoon salt for boiling water

35

bowl. Add about ½ jar of bruschetta mix (about 2/3 cup) and stir gently until combined. Serve warm, cold or room temperature.

Serves 4-8.

Pulled Pork Tortilla Bowls

Pediatric, Hand & Speech Therapy

Ingredients For shells 4 flour tortilla shells Oil for brushing onto shells Bourbon-smoked paprika for dusting the tortillas or your favorite seasoning blend

Bruschetta mix (I used regular bruschetta olive mix from B&V)

For the Avocado Crema sauce

2 avocadoes, peeled 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped Preparation 1 cup Mexican crema (or sour cream) Pinch salt For the hens Massage oil (About 1 tablespoon each) 1 tablespoon lime juice into the skin of the hens and dust with For the black bean puree porcini poultry rub seasoning (about 1/2 teaspoon for each hen.)

Place on a preheated grill or smoker at 1 can black beans 1 tablespoon garlic paste 300 degrees. Cook until internal temperature reaches 170 degrees. Re- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped move from heat and serve immediately. 1 tablespoon onion powder ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 teaspoon lime juice For the potato salad Scrub the potatoes clean and place into salted, gently boiling water. Cook Fillings for the bowls about 10 minutes until fork tender.

2 cups protein – pulled pork, chicken, Drain and pour into a medium-sized

36

seafood, beef brisket etc.

2 cups beans – black beans, refried beans etc.

Cooked rice, any style Diced tomatoes Shredded lettuce Diced onion Sliced green onion and jalapeĂąos Additional chopped fresh cilantro Shredded cheese Sliced avocado or guacamole

Preparation For the Shells Brush some oil onto both sides of the tortilla shells and sprinkle the seasoning blend lightly on both sides.

Push gently into a small-sized sauce pan or anything that will allow it to maintain a bowl shape while cooking.

Place into a preheated 400 degree oven and cook for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Set aside until ready to fill.

For the sauce Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready for use.

For the black bean puree Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth.

Keep warm until ready to fill tortilla bowls.

When ready to serve, place about 1/2 cup of protein into bottom of the tortilla bowl. Add about 1/3 cup of beans. Top with your preference of fillings and drizzle fresh avocado crema over the top of the pile.

Serves 4 WGW 37

Talk to Your Your Children About Sexual

ABUSE

By Sara E. Anderson

O

ur children are precious. We parents wish we could keep them safe and protected from all that is vile and unpleasant in life.

We would like nothing more than to roll them in bubble wrap, organically grown, gluten-free, fat-free, germ-free bubble wrap, and place them somewhere safe where nothing foul can ever reach them. They are sunlight and imaginary worlds, love and happiness.

But we can't protect them. They fall down and skin a knee. They stumble and bump a table. A favorite pet gets old and passes. Eventually they find a world of cynicism and pessimism, or of exuberant optimism.

As much as we want, as hard as we try, our children will get hurt, will get sick and will feel heartache. We can't protect them from every danger, but we can teach them to be aware of and to recognize dangerous situations.

Predators have lived among humans since we first

38

stood and walked. That is just an unfortunate fact of the human condition. And some of those predators prey on the most precious and innocent among us: our children.

It is a testament to Western Civilization that over the past several centuries, we have become enlightened and realize that preying on children is a reprehensible, unforgivable evil. "Don't talk to strangers;" "Don't get into a stranger's car;" "Don't take candy from strangers;" these are axioms passed from parent to child over generations, yet pedophiles still live, and still prey on the weak.

This is where we need to begin, but it is where we need to be careful. This is where we need to make sure common sense will still prevail. Making children fearful of everyone is not healthy, nor is considering every stranger a pervert.

Not that long ago, a toddler in Britain was hit by a car. The toddler had wandered off, stood in the middle of the road, and no one stopped to move

the child. One witness, when asked why he didn't stop, get out and move the child, said he wanted to help but was afraid for himself.

He was afraid what authorities would do to a man standing on a street corner holding a screaming child. I know of no instance like that yet here in America.

We have to remember, when we teach our children to recognize dangerous situations, that not everyone wishes to harm them, and not every touch is a bad touch: a pat on the head, a kiss and a hug, a light tickling of a chin or belly, a lap and a little comfort for a skinned knee or bumped head are all a part of the human condition as well.

There is a difference, distinct, moral, and resolute, between good and bad touches. As adults we have to be aware of the distinction and differences ourselves. A man standing on a street corner with a screaming child may actually be protecting the child.

It doesn't hurt to ask.

The best way to teach about bad touching is the simple underwear rule: no one may touch you, without your permission, anywhere covered by your underwear, and the child may never do the same to others. For girls, teach them no one may touch them

anywhere that would be covered by their bathing suit. It's that simple.

Teaching your child the proper names for body parts is helpful, too. The underwear rule lets children know that their bodies do belong to them and they can – and should – say no if someone tries to violate the underwear rule.

Tips For Teaching Your Children About Sexual Abuse: • Teach your child the underwear rule. It's easy to remember.

• Teach your child it's all right to say no to any touching. Children need to feel empowered to say no, and not allow someone to touch them, even if it is an adult.

• Teach your child to run from dangerous situations. If danger should occur, or someone should want to touch her in the underwear area, tell her to leave immediately, run if necessary, and tell an adult what just happened.

• Let your child know there are "clean" and "healthy" reasons for an underwear area

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touch: to clean a messy bottom, or a visit, for example, to a doctor.

40

• Educate yourself on sexual abuse in society, and particularly its signs. Popular media has given rise to a myth that child abuse and pedophiles are out of control and unrestrained in society. Yes, predators exist; no, they're not behind every door; yes, women can be molesters, too.

• Teach your children to not be afraid to tell.

Sexual predators will do whatever it takes to keep children from telling about abuse. Make sure your child knows that even if the abuser threatens her or her family that she must tell, no matter what.

• Reassure your child that you will never be angry at her if she has been touched or abused by someone and she tells. Predators will tell a child her parents will be mad at her if they find out about touching. Tell your child she can talk with you about anything, and you won't be angry with her.

• Talk to your boys and girls about sexual abuse early. The National Center for Victims of Crime reports children are most vulnerable to sexual abuse between the ages of 7 and 13.

• Teach your children about other types of sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse isn't always restricted to touching. Talk to your children about non-contact abuse such as being exposed to child pornography, witnessing

We have to remember, when we teach our children to recognize dangerous situations, that not everyone wishes to harm them, and not every touch is a bad touch.

the exposure of someone's private parts or voyeurism (sexual gratification from watching others when they are engaging in sexual activity or undressed.)

• Teach your child if it makes them feel yucky, then that is not normal. We all have received warning signs from our bodies at one time or another. Tell your child if anyone does something that makes her feel bad, yucky or ashamed, then she should talk with you about these feelings so you can help.

Realize that even people you know very well can be sexual predators. It is your responsibility as a parent to protect your child as best you can from sexual abuse. Be aware and watch for signs of distress in your children that could signal abuse.

The United States Department of Justice estimates 60 percent of sexual abusers are known to the child but are not family members, for example: family friends, babysitters, child care providers and neighbors. Approximately 30 percent of sexual abusers are family members and only about 10 percent are strangers to the child.

And not all sexual abusers are adults, says the USDJ. It is estimated that 23 percent of reported

cases of child sexual abuse are committed by individuals who are under the age of 18.

Our children are precious, and they're little for far too short a period of time. We may not be able to roll them in bubble wrap, but we certainly can make sure we impart the lessons they need as they grow.

WGW For more information on teaching your child about sexual abuse visit: – www.wisdomtimes.com/blog/teaching-childrenabout-good-touch-bad-touch/ – www.underwearrule.org/source/text_en.pdf – familyhelpcenter.net/wp-content/ uploads/2015/10/18-Teaching-Good-Touch-BadTouch1.pdf Sara Anderson is a psychotherapy expert who specializes in helping kids & adults find relief from overwhelming trauma, stress, anxiety and much more. You can contact her at Spoken Heart Counseling Center in Bremen, Ga. or visit her website at: www.spokenheartcounseling.com 41

Celebrate HER SUCCESS

42

Photos by Keith May

Matters of the Heart

Local Therapist Teaches Her Clients to Dream Big C heryl Francis is a woman of strength, beauty and determination. She has been face-to-face with adversity many times in her life, but her tenacity and faith has helped see her through those difficult times.

She shares her wisdom and love for humanity with her clients as a licensed professional counselor and owner of The Heart Matters Wellness Center in Austell, Ga.

New Beginnings Jamaican by birth, Cheryl moved to New Jersey as a young teenager to start a new life with her family. Life in New Jersey was not easy for Cheryl and she often sought support from the staff and guidance counselors at her new school with little success.

Her lack of support in high school planted the seed in her mind that she might want to become a school guidance counselor after graduating. She wanted to be an advocate for those students who, like her, needed additional help and assistance.

Those plans were derailed once Cheryl entered junior college where she ultimately decided to major in business.

The seed that was planted in high school was once again brought to the forefront near the end of her two year associates program. She decided she would take what she considered an "easy" elective course – Introduction to Psychology.

"I was so intrigued by the fundamentals in psychology, I disrupted my program and began adding psychology courses to learn more," she relates. "I went on to obtain my bachelors in psychology, graduating with a dual major due to the number of credits I completed."

Her educational journey wasn't as easy as she makes it sound though. After Cheryl received her associate's degree in business administration, she began to work full-time and continued to go to school at night, working toward her bachelor's

degree. It took her four years to get that degree, but she is proud that she was able to graduate from Rutgers University debt-free.

Family First

Cheryl married her husband Lawrey 23 years ago, and she says he is one of her best friends and has always been a very supportive partner. Together they have three children, 10, 14, and 19 years old. In her spare time, Cheryl loves to read and spend time with her family.

Her husband is a business owner who holds a master's degree in management information systems and an executive master of business administration in technology management. He recently began to pursue his life-long dream of being in the medical profession, and is studying to become a nurse practitioner.

Ten years ago they decided to move from New Jersey to Douglasville, Ga. to be closer to family.

Cheryl was a full-time stay-at-home mom for several years then decided it was time to pursue a master's degree. She considers herself to be a natural risktaker, and five months after her third child was born, she went back to school.

Lawrey was self-employed at the time and became a stay-at-home dad so Cheryl could complete the master's program as efficiently as possible. She graduated with a master's in counseling from Argosy University in Atlanta, Ga., where she was inducted into Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society for students, professional counselors and counselor educators. Along with her master's degree, Cheryl is a certified professional counselor supervisor and a master addiction counselor.

Open For Business Cheryl has come a long way from her first job many years ago as an associate at Burger King. "I

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was that person placing the burgers on the grill.

Then I got promoted to making sandwiches," she laughs. "Never made it to the cashier position as I left for another job. To this day I love me some Whopper with everything on it, having it my way!"

Her first professional job was in the accounting department at a Fortune 500 company in New Jersey. "To this day, I am unsure how I got the job because initially, I recognized that I was not qualified," she shares. "However, I applied, got the job and quickly learned the process." She credits her supervisor with that company as someone who impacted her life professionally. "My boss taught me how to be professional at all cost – the integrity piece was easy," she says.

Cheryl originally started her counseling business as an independent contractor in 2008 working

for a community agency, and continued to run her business on a part-time basis until she took the leap to full-time business ownership in August 2016.

"Prior to opening my full-time business in Austell, I was a literal "mobile" therapist," she shares. "I would go where the clients were – their home, their office and sometimes creatively, at a park or library. I go where the need is. Being mobile was easy due to my previous experience as a community counselor."

One experience Cheryl had as a mobile therapist is one she won't soon forget, and although it's funny to her now, it was terrifying for her at the time. She explains that growing up in the islands of Jamaica, dogs were mostly trained to guard homes and were not really considered as pets. "Before I meet a family, I ask that all pets be put away. It is not unusual to be regularly chased by dogs in the neighborhood [in Jamaica,]" she smiles. "As a child, I had my share of track and field medals running away from dogs."

The client was a child who had been court-ordered to receive therapy, and there were days when they connected with one another, but also days when they didn't. The client told Cheryl during one home visit he didn't want to participate in therapy anymore, and asked her not to come back. Being a new counselor and a team player, she went to her supervisor for advice, who suggested she return to the client's home since the therapy was court-ordered.

When Cheryl went back to the home the following week, her client reminded her that he had asked her not to return, and as she was explaining the courtorder to him he abruptly left the room. "Seconds later, he came out with this huge dog, almost as tall as I am," she laughs. "I don't know if I was too scared or was just tired of running from dogs, but I just stood there in shock. My client's mother heard the dog, came out and resolved the situation. Needless to say, I have not been back to the home."

Her Services As a counselor Cheryl works primarily with adolescents and adults. Her service area is Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Carroll Counties. She accepts all major insurances such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Aetna. She accepts Amerigroup and Wellcare, as well as several Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs.) Cheryl specializes in treating individuals who struggle with substance abuse, anxiety, trauma, depression and grief. She also offers some coaching and mental health training which carries continuing education credits.

She offers workshops and training for organi-

45

zations that range from motivational workshops, to individual issues such as stress management, visioning for life and business, dual diagnosis (someone who has two separate illnesses, with each illness needing its own treatment plan), self-care and wellness.

Chery also conducts different groups on-demand such as understanding and managing daily life struggles, a "SMILE" group for adults that deals with anxiety, depression and balancing life roles and a substance use disorder group for adults that provides psychoeducation. She facilitates an adult parenting group, an anger management group for teens, a social skills group for teens (beginning this month) and she is working with a few community partners to offer a therapeutic group for seniors.

She will also be adding a weekly group for boys that will address daily life struggles boys age 11 to 18 may encounter and will help provide strategies for support. She says this group will be added based on interest and will be facilitated by a male.

Cheryl has done three workshops this year, "Stress Busters for Teens," "Casting the Vision for Your Business" and "The Intentional Art Of Self-Care."

She is adding a new workshop this year "Bringing Up Boys," which will be for parents to help them understand the dynamics involved in raising boys, especially from a single parent's perspective.

Every April she offers a workshop on child

sexual abuse prevention to honor Child Abuse Prevention month. All of Cheryl's workshops are offered upon request, and she often partners with other organizations to provide the workshops as a presenter at their company events.

"I enjoy empowering individuals," she relates.

"If a topic is outside my expertise, I have multiple quality referral sources and provide those as needed."

Helping Young Girls Cheryl provides therapeutic groups for girls that address self-esteem, self-loathing, anxiety, depression, parent-child conflict and social skills. She says she really enjoys intentionally communicating with young girls on a one-on-one basis, particularly those girls who stay in the corner away from a group in social settings.

"By being intentional, I provide safety and create a space of comfort," she shares. "I find that those who interact with me ease out of their 'shell' faster and move closer toward social relationships. I meet these young ladies where they are, offer support and allow them to work at their own pace, all the while empowering them to be confident in themselves."

The Challenges Cheryl says her greatest challenge as a business owner is balancing family roles along with her career. "I love being at home for the kids. Although they are much older, I miss being home for them," she shares. "The reality is, to be successful I have to be very actively involved in my business at this time. Due to the nature of my business and the goals I have set, I need to be away more until the business grows. This conflict in the roles creates a daily struggle for me."

In her line of work, she has struggled with gender and racial discrimination as well, but she has never let that get in the way of her success.

"My attitude has always been 'Keep your eyes on the prize!,'" she explains. "Focus on the goal!

By reminding myself of the reason I am in that particular environment, I can concentrate less on the discrimination, and work on achieving my desired goal. My philosophy has always been when it stops working for me it is time to move on, regardless of the consequences."

She says because she worked part-time for so

46

“

long, the challenges of owning her business fulltime are minimal. The one thing she would have done differently is she would have gone into fulltime practice sooner.

She sees practicing full-time as expanding her sphere of influence to the community as a whole by being able to serve more clients.

She knows that she is making a difference by being in charge of where and how she spends her time.

"I saw where I could formulate a strategy to impact my ideal clients on my terms," she relates. "My strong work ethic and not being afraid to take risks has been an asset to going into business full-time. Deciding to take this path has been an incredible decision."

Her Advice Cheryl believes in order to be successful business owners, women must not be afraid to take risks, that no matter what happens, it is still a learning experience. She says to start with the resources and skill sets you have and seek out people who are where you want to be and learn from them.

During times of adversity, I withdraw.

The isolation is not so much that I don't wan t to be around others, it is more about being alone in Christ's presence, to get grounded and go out a nd face one more day.

"Once quarterly, I would reach out to selfemployed clinicians whom I admired, and offer to do coffee or lunch," she relates.

She suggests regularly seek out mentoring relationships with more experienced individuals doing what you aspire to do, then listen, ask questions and learn as much as you can. "Eliminate fear from your vocabulary and your life," she shares.

"Never be afraid to fail, and ask for what you want.

Understand 'no' is not a rejection, it is a matter of timing. Be persistent and be willing to take baby steps. It will be so worth it."

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As a counselor, Cheryl knows how important it is to take care of herself emotionally and spiritually. She says therapists have similar challenges and emotions like anyone else. They hurt and love, they feel and even experience depression, but she believes a healthy therapist is one who is willing to find her own counselor when those fragile moments arise.

Sometimes it can be difficult for even the best therapist to take in the emotions of their patients. It can be stressful to take in so much sadness and pain on a daily basis. For this reason, Cheryl started a monthly mental health wellness group for those who work in the counseling field.

In this group she says the members learn from each other, and focus on methods relevant in practicing intentional self-care.

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Cheryl's life has not been without its challenges.

She credits her faith in Jesus Christ that has helped her overcome some very difficult situations.

She says after she and her family moved to Georgia, things were terrible for them financially but she had so many friends who would call her unexpectedly or bring her family groceries. And, somehow, their mortgage was paid in spite of the incredibly small income they had at the time. Through it all she has always relied on her faith to sustain her.

"I have had adversities that hit me to the core," she shares. "I have learned what it means to pray for those who despitefully use me, and it has helped me set boundaries, but also maintain professionalism at all cost.

"During times of adversity, I withdraw. The isolation is not so much that I don't want to be around others, it is more about being alone in Christ's presence, to get grounded and go out and face one more day."

Role Models Cheryl regularly reaches out to people she considers successful, and those she admires, for advice. She has a very close friend who is several years older than her who has been a counselor for over 20 years. Cheryl says this friend guides, corrects and teaches her simple truths that she regularly applies to her life and business.

Cheryl is also a part of a few mental health social media groups where members offer suggestions, answer questions and provide guidance to each other.

She says those groups have been beneficial to her.

Many people have impacted her professionally and had an influence throughout her career. She says God has always provided those she needed at every level of her professional life.

Her university's intern/practicum supervisor taught Cheryl to look beyond and develop a strength-based way of working with clients; Her first supervisor at the agency she worked for at the onset of her counseling career was instrumental in helping show her the way.

Another supervisor helped Cheryl become one of her first contractors to complete substance abuse assessments for the Douglas County Drug Court.

She has a friend who is Muslim who she considers her "career coach." Her friend offers Cheryl "thinking outside the box" solutions and confronts her on inconsistencies, but still remains a source of strength and support.

She credits her mother and sisters for impacting her professional life by babysitting and picking up her children from school, taking them to the doctor and

extra-curricular activities when she couldn't, which has helped her achieve her professional goals.

"Most important," she shares, "my husband who from the onset of my business, was the 'pinch hitter' – the receptionist, the marketing rep., the accountant and the account representative. Doing whatever it took to help me get established, and taking the time to encourage me to never give up on me.

"Each level of my professional career there has been someone instrumental supporting me. He has been the constant throughout."

Cheryl's husband Lawrey has also had the greatest impact on her personal life. "He has been my friend

49

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since age 13," she relates. "He has always thrived to allow me to feel like a 10, given me wings to fly and be me, with the assurance that he will always be that constant. He sees the best in me always.

"Whenever I miss the mark, he finds a way to help me feel better about myself, or he will just not say anything. He has taught me how to fight fairly and to give lavishly without expectations."

Her Motivation Cheryl says she truly loves the work she does so much, that she sometimes does it for free. Her greatest motivation is knowing the impact her success will have on her children and extended family. The dreams she has for each of her three children keeps her motivated to go to work every day.

Her rewards often come from the people she serves. Many clients have told her she has a "cultural competence," when it comes to working with people who may have an alternative lifestyle or different religious beliefs, such as working with Muslims and people of other faiths. Her sessions are not about those factors, but are more about her partnering with the client to solve the problem at hand.

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Other feedback she has received from clients is her ability to offer confidential comfort and encouragement in a safe place, absent of judgement, and being willing to lend an ear to her clients outside of their regular sessions.

Cheryl consistently continues her education to stay on top of the changing trends in the counseling industry. As a licensed professional counselor, she is required to earn a minimum of 35 continuing education credits every two years to remain licensed. Five of the 35 must be in ethics education, six must be in telemental health (the use of telecommunications technology to provide behavioral health services to clients,) and the rest of the credits can be earned through taking courses on other topics of interest that are relevant to the mental health field.

She dreams of having significant growth in her business in the future, that will include bringing in additional staff who are willing to do excellent work with integrity and sound clinical judgment.

"I hope to be traveling the country, motivating individuals to live their best life and dream their biggest dreams," she says with excitement. "I believe dreams do come true not when you wish on them, but when you work on them!" WGW

Wishing all the best to Mothers throughout West Georgia!

To learn more about Cheryl Francis and The Heart Matters Wellness Services call

678.754.5840

or visit the website at

heartmatterswellness.com 52

Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “You don't have to wait to be confident.

Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.”

– Carrie Fisher "Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”

– Betty Friedan

“Lighthouses don't go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.”

– Anne Lamott

"The great thing about a really miserable childhood is the rest of your life looks like you've improved things."

– Dr. Mary Karr

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it.

Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all."

— Helen Keller 53

Local Happenings

Healers and Helpers Wellness Group

Need It Most Mommy’s Day Out

This group meets the last Saturday of every month in Douglasville or Austell. For more information, contact Cheryl at theheartmatters@gmail.com or 678.754.5840. Learn more at www.heartmatterswellness.com.

Each Mommy’s Day Out event is from 6 to 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Locations vary.

Contact Jwyanda at 678.739.1740 or Jwyanda@icloud.com for more information.

Hope For The Journey This group meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at the Tracy Stallings Community Center at 118 South White St. in Carrollton.

These events are free to breast cancer survivors or those currently battling breast cancer.

No one should have to face breast cancer alone.

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These are free events for new mothers, mothers with children 0-12 months and mothers suffering from postpartum depression. www.needitmost.wordpress.com

Rare Pearls Mentoring and Leadership Program This group meets the 4th Saturday of each month at WellStar - Douglas Hospital from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

This program is open to all girls from ages 10 -17.

Rare Pearls mission is to enrich and empower the lives of young girls and women.

For more information call 770.947.8210, email rarepearls2015@gmail.com or visit the website at www.rarepearlsmentoringandleadership.org

Nursing From The Heart Breastfeeding Support Group This group meets the third Monday of each month from 5:30-6:30pm at 500 Old Bremen Road in Carrollton.

Please contact Anne Lussier at 470.270.9520 or IBCLC@nursingfromtheheart.com for more information.

These events are free to pregnant women and moms looking for breastfeeding support. Free weight checks will be available. Come and share your breastfeeding journey with us. Please check our website for meeting and event updates.

Carroll EMC Holds Second Annual FFA Day

the students’ interests. For McKensie Chestnut, a senior at Heard County High School, the sessions were very relevant to her daily life and future education.

“The calving simulation was my favorite session,” said Chestnut, who will attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College this fall and major in Livestock Production. “I help birth cows almost daily, and it was pretty much on point, just not as messy.”

Additionally, former FFA president Andy Paul, spoke to the students at the conclusion of the event. Paul was the National FFA president for 2014-2015. He graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and is currently a junior at the University of Georgia. He spoke to students about the FFA motto, “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.”

“Here in FFA, we have an amazing opportunity when we truly live out the full part of the FFA motto,” said Paul. “As you go back home, make sure that every day is one that you are earning to live.”

Milestone Investment Management Hosts Annual Valentine's Day Tea Party

Photo by Carroll EMC

Carroll EMC hosted its second annual National FFA Organization Day Feb. 22. More than 300 students from FFA chapters at Bowdon, Central, Haralson County, Heard County, Mount. Zion, Temple and Pepperell High Michael Stone, owner of Milestone Investment Schools attended the event to commemorate National Management, LLC., hosted a tea party on TuesFFA Week. day, Feb. 14 at Sunset Hills Country Club. Along with an informative financial presentation tailored This year, students visited four stations that pertained to to women, there were sandwiches, delicious agriculture at the Carroll EMC main office. The FFA stu- treats, coffee and tea. dents viewed a presentation on social media, saw a rain simulator, a high voltage demo and a calving simulator, (Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through IFG Advisory, LLC, a registered which was a favorite of the students. Not only were the investment advisor. IFG Advisory, LLC and Milestone Investment sessions informative, they were also very applicable to Management, LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial.)

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JADEN SURVIVED!

He was born almost 3 months early and spent 2 months in the hospital.

Sign up at marchforbabies.org Regional sponsor

Š 2017 March of Dimes Foundation

Thank you to all of the sponsors, volunteers, family teams and everyone in attendance who helped make the West Central March for Babies a success!

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Platinum Sponsors:

Gold Sponsor:

Media Sponsor: Magazine

Local Students Selected to Represent Carroll EMC in Washington, D.C.

T

hree local high school students have been selected to represent Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Washington, D.C. as part of the Washington Youth Tour, an all-expenses paid leadership experience.

Connor Best, of Carrollton High School, Kirby Criswell, of Carrollton High School and Matthew Dedman, of South Paulding High School, were chosen as Carroll EMC’s delegates for the 2017 trip. As Georgia’s oldest leadership program for teens, the Washington Youth Tour is designed to teach students about U.S. history, the role of government and the importance of community and public service.

Best, Criswell and Dedman will meet with students from across Georgia before heading to Washington, D.C. to converge with more than 1,400 students from across the nation. These high school delegates will have the opportunity to observe the workings of the government, gain knowledge of electric cooperatives, and meet with their representatives in Congress.

“The Washington Youth Tour is an opportunity of a lifetime for our students,” said Carole Thompson, Carroll EMC’s Member Services Supervisor and Washington Youth Tour Coordinator. “Not only will they visit our nation’s Capital, historical sites, and have exposure to numerous educational venues, they gain valuable leadership and networking experiences.

Many lifelong friendships will be made during this week with this group of exceptional teens.”

Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 50,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk and Troup counties. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at carrollemc.com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.

Top left: Connor Best, CHS Right: Kirby Criswell, CHS Bottom left: Matthew Dedman, SPHS – Photos by Carroll EMC.

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CEMC Spring Agribusiness Seminar Puts Women at the Forefront

C

arroll EMC hosted its spring Agribusiness Seminar March 28 at the Carroll County Agriculture-Education Center. The bi-annual seminar is known for bringing together individuals and groups in the agricultural community from across the state.

More than 200 farmers, National FFA Organization students, associations, business leaders and elected officials were represented and in attendance at the spring event. Dr. Lauren Ledbetter Griffeth, Extension Leadership Specialist at the University of Georgia was the featured speaker. Dr. Griffeth specializes in women's agricultural leadership and spoke in-depth on the topic at the seminar.

“When you think that you can’t, you can’t. When you think that you’re gonna lose, you will. But the battle is won not by the strongest or the fastest woman or man, but by the one who thinks they can,” said Dr. Griffeth. “I want all of you to think you can. Women, I want you to think you can and know you can.”

As an influential presence in the agriculture community, Carroll EMC continues to be an advocate for agriculture and for the community. Not only has the co-op participated in and hosted numerous agriculture events, but also plans to continually address issues such as women in agriculture and the threat of avian influenza. Carroll EMC plans to hold its next Agribusiness Seminar Monday, Oct. 23, 2017.

Photos by Carroll EMC. Top: Local FFA students and advisors pose with David Huddleston, Carroll EMC Purchasing Manager (far left), Tim Martin, Carroll EMC CEO (center) and Dr. Lauren Ledbetter Griffeth, Extension Leadership Specialist at UGA (center.)

Bottom Left: Dr. Lauren Ledbetter Griffeth, Extension Leadership Specialist at UGA, was the feaured speaker at the Carroll EMC spring Agribusiness seminar.

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Many of you may remember the September 2016 issue West Georgia Woman Magazine published to help bring awareness to the prevalence of suicide in this country, and to honor the loved ones we have lost to suicide in West Georgia. We have received so many phone calls, letters and emails from readers who were touched by this issue, and we are still presently receiving correspondence.

We will be publishing our second annual suicide awareness issue in September 2017. If you have lost a loved one to suicide, and you would like to write a loving tribute, please send us your submission along with 3 to 4 photos to: features@westgeorgiawoman.com, or you may mail it to: Angel Media, LLC, P.O. Box 2782, Carrollton, Ga. 30112.

Please rest assured we will treat your loved ones' memory with the utmost respect and kindness they deserve. If you attempted suicide in the past and you would like to share how you are happy to be alive, please send your submission to the email or mailing address above. It is our hope that together, we may be able to save lives throughout West Georgia by sharing these stories of our loved ones with our readers.

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Kidz Korner Mother's Day Bath Salts T hese bath salts are a really easy and inexpensive gift idea for your little ones to create for that special woman in their life, and the best part is it takes only a few minutes to make!

By Charlene Brooks

Instructions Take the measuring cup and place 1/2 cup Epsom salts, 2 drops of essential oil and add drops of food coloring until the desired color is obtained. Mix well. Pour the mixture into the glass jar. Decorate as desired.

Materials Epsom salts Essential oil (any fragrance) Glass jar Food coloring Measuring cup Decorative items: raffia, ribbon, yarn or stickers

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A Masterpiece From the Heart

Instructions Cut a piece of tissue paper to fit around the outside of your candle, making the tissue slightly smaller than the candle.

Lightly and carefully decorate the tissue paper.

Place something under the tissue paper to protect your workspace, as the markers may bleed through. Take the tissue paper drawing and place around the candle. Cover the tissue paper drawing with a piece of parchment paper that has been cut slightly larger – use the excess parchment paper to pinch together and hold as a handle while drying. Turn the hairdryer on the highest heat setting and blow as close to the candle as possible .

It will take a few minutes to melt the wax for the tissue paper to adhere to the candle. Carefully remove the parchment paper from the candle. Your child's beautiful artwork will be left behind. WGW

Materials White and pink tissue paper Markers Medium white candles Parchment paper Hair dryer

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Happy Mother's Day Word Search

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