The feature below is brought to you by Oasis Center for Hope, an organization that is in the running to receive a See Beautiful Grant. For more information about all of our giving initiatives, please click here.   Daring to Own Your Story™ Retreats There is such beauty and connection in coming together and knowing you are not alone. These retreats bring 10-15 women who are blind, visually impaired, or newly diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition together from across the country to explore their shame, vulnerability, and strengths through activities and group discussions. The group is kept small with three facilitators (two licensed therapists, one like myself who is blind, and a student who is also blind completing her master's in social work). Through these retreats, a beautiful sisterhood is formed of shared understanding, connection, laughter, stories and tools of empowerment. They leave with the desire to show up in their lives in new ways. This beautiful empowerment felt inside is taken back to their families and communities. In the past two years, we have conducted four retreats- each with ten blind women. These women have stayed in touch - through email, phone calls, WhatsApp, and even reunions. These women have helped one another in the transitions of blindness. They truly have helped one another See Beautiful in themselves and others and in their unique struggles and triumphs. Our goal of these retreats is increased empowerment, connection, and sisterhood. When we know we are not alone in our struggles, we feel empowered to help each other and show up with empathy and courage in our lives. We achieve this goal through activities like hiking, ropes course, foot soaks, yoga, tandem cycling, and thoughtful, research-based processes identifying where we want to show up in our life and what is holding us back. Time each day is spent on exploring courage, vulnerability, shame and worthiness. As we say, if I can climb that beautiful mountain, what else can I do in my life? 2018 RETREAT WILL BE SEPTEMBER 20-23, 2018 AT THE NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER IN PARK CITY, UTAH. THE COST FOR THE RETREAT IS $595 (SHARING A ROOM) AND $695 (SINGLE) AND INCLUDES ACTIVITIES LISTED ABOVE, LODGING, AND FOOD AND TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE SLC AIRPORT!WHAT PARTICIPANTS OF THE 2016/2017 RETREATS ARE SAYING: “I really treasured everything about this experience more than I ever imagined. I will definitely recommend this program!” – J “I felt such a sense of renewal after the retreat. The facilitators were fantastic. Felt like you kept things safe and compassionate for everyone. Really appreciate all the details and planning.” –S "I continually feel like I dare show up in my life after coming to the retreat. When I am scared I have a tribe to turn to for support. Shame is not in the driver's seat any more in my life." -- Ann “Location was perfect, liked the variety too. It was awesome to walk about in two cities using my cane skills with visually impaired ladies. Made me feel like a warrior at times! The food was amazing!” – K "Not only was the program excellent. I learned so many practical tips and tools from the other attendees. Forever grateful." -- K “I learned a lot from the curriculum. It helped me understand myself better. I can now talk about being in the arena of life and really living wholeheartedly. Blog posts of women who have attended: https://adventuresinlowvision.wordpress.com/2016/06/16/truth-and-daring/ https://adventuresinlowvision.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/on-the-boat-again/ http://doublevisionblog.com/2018/05/16/now-is-the-time/ Tag us! Instagram: @becky__andrews Facebook: Oasis Center for Hope & Becky Andrews, Resilient Vision Blog: [email protected] Written by Becky Andrews, President of Oasis Center for HopeEdited by Rachel McLeroy for See Beautiful
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