About LifeScope Visions Yoga & Consulting, LLC
Since 1989, Kirsten Brown, the founder of Lifescope Visions, began dedicating her life to improving the lives of mentally and physically disabled adults, teens and children. Her mantra… “All human beings, regardless of ability or disability, deserve to experience a life of joy, hope, dignity and respect.” Through experience, love and compassion, she continues to work toward this goal.
History
In 1992, Kirsten began her formal career as a special education teacher working in both resource and developmental classroom settings. Since that time, her focus on life-skills training has enabled her to help many individuals and their families bridge the gap between their home, educational and work environments. This process has helped to ensure a smoother transition in their daily routines and interactions.
Later, in 1994, Kirsten saw an opportunity to share this knowledge overseas and became a Peace Corps volunteer. During her two years in Tunisia, she worked with and trained special education teachers and assistants. She also actively spearheaded several grant and fund raising opportunities to help support the Special Education program within the rural community in which she served.
Fresh Perspective
Today, Kirsten continues to encourage her students to test their unique, individual thresholds of experience, to yield new opportunities and freedoms. Her commitment and passion enable her to continue moving forward and seeking new answers to old questions. As an example, in 2002, Kirsten trained her dog, Kai, to work with children who had severe autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy as well as a variety of other disabilities. Kai received her Delta Society Pet Partner certification and thru repeated exposure and interaction, Kirsten was able to witness differing, improved responses from her students. Kai appeared to connect with the students on a unique and very different level. The results were nothing short of amazing and included:
- enhancement in IEP goals and objectives
- increased communication and social skills
- greater performance in physical and occupational therapy
- overall behavioral improvement
- and in some students, an overall joy and calm rarely, if ever, seen outside of Kai's presence
This experience opened up a realm of new possibilities, directions and "what ifs". Currently, Kirsten is expanding her focus to investigate and incorporate alternative therapies to determine if there is an improved response in areas of self-induced relaxation and behavior modification. In unison with traditional therapies and curriculum, she believes that music and sound therapy, yoga, nutrition, EFT, aromatherapy and acupressure have the potential to positively affect the disabled community as profoundly as it does the general public.
New Paths
Currently, Kirsten is expanding her yoga classes, offering both private and group sessions for children and adults. In regards to consulting and training, she offers special needs training and education to communities at large. By collaborating with family members and care organizations who represent members of the disabled population, Kirsten provides care providers with successful solutions that focus on compassion, balance and practical expectations. This assimilated knowledge helps caregivers face their jobs with a higher level of expertise and confidence, resulting in a better experience for the communities and clients in which they serve.
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"Whenever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness." |