Paying It Forward:  DeafHope Participants Learn How To See and Be Beyond Their Circumstances

On the evening of June 7th, 2007, lives were changed.  All of those involved didn't know it yet, but they were changed just the same.  That evening, Belanie Dishong, Founder of Live At Choice LLC, learned of Julie Rems-Smario and DeafHope.  She was compelled to talk with Julie and to learn more about the DeafHope mission and organization. 

Live at Choice is about giving people new starts - a chance to break free of the shackles from their past.  If ever anyone needed Live at Choice and the freedom that it offers, it was the women (and men) of DeafHope.  Belanie learned of a community of people that she could reach out to and help that she had, honestly, never thought of before.  Her eyes were opened to the possibility of thousands, perhaps millions, of people in the world that, like those associated with DeafHope, desperately needed her help.  She saw an opportunity to "serve" DeafHope in a way that would empower the DeafHope "survivors" beyond what the DeafHope organization was currently able to take their survivors.

Immediately following the 2007 eWomenNetwork International Conference and Business Expo, where Julie was celebrated as the 2007 eWomenNetwork Foundation's Humanitarian of the Year award, Belanie and Julie launched into a series of emails and phone conversations about how Belanie and her Live at Choice team could serve DeafHope.  Ultimately, it was agreed that Live at Choice would deliver a "Beyond Circumstances" workshop at DeafHope's facility.  However, different from what Belanie initially thought, instead of taking DeafHope "survivors" through the workshop, it was felt that it would be best to take DeafHope's staff, volunteers and board of directors through the workshop first.  This would ensure that DeafHope had an internal support structure in place (that had gone through the experience) to provide support to the survivors after the survivors went through the workshop.

The first workshop was held the weekend of August 15, 2007 followed by a "reconnect" session on September 15, 2007.  What they learned during the follow up reconnect session was astounding. Each participant shared extraordinary results, renewed relationships some over 15 years without contact, one person obtained her dream car, another has remarkable communication with her husband that was not present before, an attorney in the organization delivered a compelling keynote speech to the National Association for the Deaf and she shared of how she completely rewrote her presentation and delivery format once she completed the "Beyond Circumstances" workshop, these only point out a few of the remarkable results from the participants.

Participants in August 15, 2007

Beyond Circumstances Workshop

They also had compelling results internally - as a DeafHope organization.  They learned that they were now able to "be present with" victims and their "circumstances" without being hooked by the circumstances that the survivors were experiencing.  With this shift in how they were able to be with their survivors, they realized that they are able to be of better service and see more clearly all the options available to help the survivors.  There is also a new understanding and compassion for the participants without being so emotionally taken in by the circumstances.   They also found that they were better able to work through upsets, problems, and situations within their organization faster and without typical business situations evolving to conflict, their personal "stuff" just doesn't interfere any longer.  Live at Choice is so excited that several of the DeafHope staff intend to become Limitless Living Coaches in the Live at Choice's Limitless Living Coaches Academy so they can play an active roll with taking Live at Choice's work forward to the greater Deaf community.  Belanie is honored that DeafHope has asked her to participate in their Capital Campaign Advisory Board.  

In preparation for taking the "Beyond Circumstances" workshop to the DeafHope Survivors in the first quarter of 2008, a second DeafHope "Beyond Circumstances" workshop for the organization is scheduled for the weekend of December 1st and 2nd.  It will include the majority of the original group that went through before with the hope and expectation that there will be growth and healing at an even deeper level.  They will be joined by additional participants that were unable to make the first workshop along with some family members.  With this additional training Deaf Hope feels that they will have a strong foundation for performing in supportive rolls for their survivors that attend the Live at Choice programs scheduled for 2008.

Although "Beyond Circumstances" had a significant impact on those within the DeafHope organization, it has also had a substantial impact on Belanie and the Live at Choice team.  Belanie has certainly learned from her own teaching, serve first and you will be served.  You can learn more about what Live at Choice is doing with DeafHope by clicking here.  DeafHope has been such evidence and It is amazing that when one makes a decision to "serve", they end up being served themselves.  This experience has - and continues to - have a profound impact on Belanie at a personal level and as a business owner.  Her vision for what can be for Live at Choice has been expanded beyond anything she would have thought possible less than six (6) months ago.  She sees a much greater opportunity to contribute to and serve those in need.  DeafHope has shown her the way and she is forever grateful for the vision and clarity that has come from this experience.  Belanie is honored by the opportunity to serve DeafHope as a worthy and worthwhile place to pay it forward.