About This Session

Are you ready to be inspired and empowered by the stories of those who have triumphed over childhood trauma?

Join us for an inspiring and empowering panel discussion featuring individuals who have triumphed over childhood trauma. In this session, our panel of resilient survivors will share their personal stories of overcoming adversity, resilience, and growth in the face of significant challenges. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of resilience and hope, gaining valuable perspectives on the diverse ways individuals cope with and overcome trauma. Moreover, they will learn about the support systems, coping mechanisms, and resources that can facilitate healing and recovery for survivors of childhood trauma.

About Your Instructors

George Dennehy, born without arms, is capturing attention worldwide for his unique talents and powerful message. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a brush with death in a Romanian orphanage and being adopted by a U.S. family at age one, George believes that every individual has a divine purpose and anything is possible. He started his musical journey by learning to play the cello at age eight and has since taught himself guitar, electric bass, and basic piano. George gained worldwide attention after a fan posted a video of him covering the Goo Goo Dolls song "Iris," which led to an invitation to perform with the band in front of 7,000 fans. Since then, his career has taken off, with media coverage, a standing ovation for his first TED Talk, and invitations from major corporations to speak at employee meetings. Today, George travels the world full-time, sharing his faith, story, and music, energizing and inspiring his audience with his testimony of a victorious, overcoming life.

George Dennehy

Motivational Speaker, Musician

Shaé Brown is a wife and mother who spends her time between Winona lake, Indiana and Nairobi Kenya. She is a Clinical Licensed Social Worker and the Founder and Director of an organization called Kutoa Project, where they support those in East Africa through counseling, trauma informed trainings, and faith-based services. She is an EMDR Practitioner and loves working with adoptees and supporting families. Shaé grew up in kinship care and was later adopted by her beloved grandma, who she calls mama. She is passionate about helping others know their worth, supporting individuals through all the messy parts of their lives, and helping others feel equipped to do what God has called them to do. You will most likely find her walking on the trails and petting any cat she meets.

Shaé Brown

Clinical Licensed Social Worker

Vanessa offers a unique perspective drawing from her own story of childhood trauma and survivorship, clinical professional knowledge and expertise, foster-adoptive parenting, and her Christian faith. Vanessa and her husband, Mark, live in beautiful Winona Lake, IN with their four children. Vanessa has her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with counseling experience, disciplined in developmental psychology and early childhood trauma and healing. Vanessa currently cares for her young children at home, while teaching part-time at Grace College in the Behavioral Science Department and as a public speaker.  Vanessa is passionate about educating and equipping others on a variety of topics including, but not limited too: childhood development and trauma healing, navigating difficult relationships, emotion regulation, growth mindset and resilience building, foster/adoptive parenting, and importantly, faith development. Vanessa serves on the leadership team for Community Bible Study in the Warsaw/Winona Lake community, serving over 200 women and children.  Additionally, Vanessa is an artist and small business owner, Join Vanessa. The business is centered on building creativity and connection in the lives of others through watercolor painting. Vanessa offers watercolor workshops, personal paint kits and gift boxes, private events, and sells her own collection of works. She is pursuing ways she can marry her clinical background with her creative background to better serve individuals, families, and groups struggling with chronic stress, trauma responses, and emotion regulation.   Credentials: MA, CMHC, TF-CBT, Business Owner, Adoptive Mother, Survivor 

Vanessa Pohl

Adoptive mother, LMHCA

Shen-Quia Cobige is a successful flight attendant and is no stranger to the foster care system. Shen-Quia is the oldest of three sisters who were raised in the foster care system from a young age. Shen-Quia spent many years living in different foster homes until finally being adopted at the age 12. Despite her rough childhood, Shen-Quia was determined not to be a statistic, she graduated high school, went to college and worked successfully in real estate until starting her dream job as a flight attendant. Shen-Quia uses her experience in foster care to mentor young woman and be a positive role model.

Shen-Quia Cobige

Flight Attendant; former foster youth

Derek Clark's journey is a testament to resilience and redemption. Despite enduring unimaginable abuse, abandonment, and emotional turmoil as a child, he was thrust into the psychiatric hospital at the tender age of five. His thirteen years in the San Francisco Bay Area foster care system were marked by humiliation, aggression, and overwhelming anxiety, compounded by unjust labels placed upon him. Yet, with the support of compassionate foster parents and a dedicated social worker, Derek defied the odds imposed upon him, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Derek's personal experiences have equipped him with invaluable insights into overcoming hardship and adversity. His past has never hindered his pursuit of success and fulfillment. Today, Derek is a source of inspiration as a speaker, author, and viral sensation known for his "Rapping Dad" videos, which have garnered over 250 million views. His appearances on various news channels, including The Steve Harvey TV Show, and numerous global television programs have amplified his message of hope and perseverance. As the author of seven books, including titles like "Disable the Label," "Never Limit Your Life," and the "I Will Never Give Up" series, Derek shares his life's trials and triumphs to inspire others to embrace resilience and unwavering determination. From victim to victor, he exemplifies the power of perseverance and the refusal to surrender to life's challenges. You can find out more information about motivational speaker Derek Clark at https://www.IWillNeverGiveUp.com

Derek Clark

Inspirational Speaker

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