Breaking Chains Books/CP Awareness
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Hi, my name is Blake Shelley, and I'm a motivational speaker and author, with Cerebral Palsy.
Shortly after my high school graduation, I attended a houseboat retreat with my church. It was quite a challenge for me to hike and live on a boat for a week, but as a person with a disability, I’m no stranger to these regular challenges and adversities. During that week, my leaders worked with me to push through my physical barriers. By the end of the week, I felt different. I had stepped out of my comfort zone. I had attempted to wakeboard!
On the final evening of the retreat, I found myself in a rather strange situation. I endured something that was extremely out of my comfort zone, I spoke in front of my peers. I received a surge of positive reactions from everyone. At this moment I realized my true passion and purpose was to speak and assist people in overcoming their adversities. As I pursued this newfound passion throughout my college and professional career, I learned that my gift for coaching others through this complex subject and creating action plans with my own self-reflection was truly unique.
In recent years, I have used this gift not only to empower others to overcome personal and professional obstacles but also to promote disability awareness, particularly Cerebral Palsy. It’s my goal to continue these services in March as part of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
What is this campaign for?
My goal is to help people overcome challenges and achieve success in their personal and professional lives through my book and speaking engagements. This campaign will help me reach more people and assist thousands in “breaking their chains,” by investing in two initiatives.
Last September I published my first book, “Breaking Chains: The 6 Links of Turning Bondage into Tools of Freedom,” and I just completed my second book. “99 Motivational Quotes to Break Your Chains!”
1. This campaign will enable me to reach thousands by funding printing costs for the hardcover editions of “Breaking Chains: The 6 Links of Turning Bondage into Tools of Freedom” and “99 Motivational Quotes to Break Your Chains!”
My desire is to produce high-quality books at a low price so that they are accessible to everyone. In order to provide this level of quality at reasonable price, books must be printed in large quantities, which results in high upfront costs.
2. The first $2 of each donation will be given to United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Hospital for Children, to provide services and treatment for kids with Cerebral Palsy.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities.
Shriners Hospitals for Children — Portland is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, research, and outstanding medical education. The Portland Shriners Hospital focuses on a wide range of pediatric orthopedic conditions, from fractures to rare diseases and syndromes. We also provide expert cleft lip and palate care. All services are provided in a family-centered environment, regardless of the families' ability to pay.
Research & Statistics
Cerebral Palsy is:
• A number of disorders of the developing brain affecting body movement, posture and muscle coordination.
• Caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development; before, during or shortly after birth; during infancy; or during early childhood.
• Not a disease, not progressive, nor communicable.
U.S. Statistics:
• It is estimated that 764,000 children and adults in the U.S. manifest one or more of the symptoms of cerebral palsy.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year about 10,000 babies born in the United States will develop cerebral palsy.
• 1,200 - 1,500 preschool age children are also recognized to have cerebral palsy each year.
• A 2009 CDC study found that the average prevalence of CP in 2004 was 3.3 per 1,000.
• The prevalence was significantly higher in boys than in girls overall (male/female ratio, 1.4:1)
(Source: UCP.org Fact Sheet.)
Think BOLD Be BOLD
A special thank you to Christopher Cumby and Allan Wich, the hosts of one of the world's top podcasts, Think Bold Be Bold, for supporting this campaign. As part of the corporate package, you’ll have the opportunity to be featured on their hit C-Suite Radio Network podcast. Don’t miss their conversation with Blake in the upcoming episode on March 22nd!
Connect with Blake
Follow Blake B. Shelley on Facebook and tune in for his Facebook Live broadcasts each weekday during the month of March to keep up with his journey and campaign progress!
Blake is available to speak at your event!
Shortly after my high school graduation, I attended a houseboat retreat with my church. It was quite a challenge for me to hike and live on a boat for a week, but as a person with a disability, I’m no stranger to these regular challenges and adversities. During that week, my leaders worked with me to push through my physical barriers. By the end of the week, I felt different. I had stepped out of my comfort zone. I had attempted to wakeboard!
On the final evening of the retreat, I found myself in a rather strange situation. I endured something that was extremely out of my comfort zone, I spoke in front of my peers. I received a surge of positive reactions from everyone. At this moment I realized my true passion and purpose was to speak and assist people in overcoming their adversities. As I pursued this newfound passion throughout my college and professional career, I learned that my gift for coaching others through this complex subject and creating action plans with my own self-reflection was truly unique.
In recent years, I have used this gift not only to empower others to overcome personal and professional obstacles but also to promote disability awareness, particularly Cerebral Palsy. It’s my goal to continue these services in March as part of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
What is this campaign for?
My goal is to help people overcome challenges and achieve success in their personal and professional lives through my book and speaking engagements. This campaign will help me reach more people and assist thousands in “breaking their chains,” by investing in two initiatives.
Last September I published my first book, “Breaking Chains: The 6 Links of Turning Bondage into Tools of Freedom,” and I just completed my second book. “99 Motivational Quotes to Break Your Chains!”
1. This campaign will enable me to reach thousands by funding printing costs for the hardcover editions of “Breaking Chains: The 6 Links of Turning Bondage into Tools of Freedom” and “99 Motivational Quotes to Break Your Chains!”
My desire is to produce high-quality books at a low price so that they are accessible to everyone. In order to provide this level of quality at reasonable price, books must be printed in large quantities, which results in high upfront costs.
2. The first $2 of each donation will be given to United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Hospital for Children, to provide services and treatment for kids with Cerebral Palsy.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities.
Shriners Hospitals for Children — Portland is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, research, and outstanding medical education. The Portland Shriners Hospital focuses on a wide range of pediatric orthopedic conditions, from fractures to rare diseases and syndromes. We also provide expert cleft lip and palate care. All services are provided in a family-centered environment, regardless of the families' ability to pay.
Research & Statistics
Cerebral Palsy is:
• A number of disorders of the developing brain affecting body movement, posture and muscle coordination.
• Caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development; before, during or shortly after birth; during infancy; or during early childhood.
• Not a disease, not progressive, nor communicable.
U.S. Statistics:
• It is estimated that 764,000 children and adults in the U.S. manifest one or more of the symptoms of cerebral palsy.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year about 10,000 babies born in the United States will develop cerebral palsy.
• 1,200 - 1,500 preschool age children are also recognized to have cerebral palsy each year.
• A 2009 CDC study found that the average prevalence of CP in 2004 was 3.3 per 1,000.
• The prevalence was significantly higher in boys than in girls overall (male/female ratio, 1.4:1)
(Source: UCP.org Fact Sheet.)
Think BOLD Be BOLD
A special thank you to Christopher Cumby and Allan Wich, the hosts of one of the world's top podcasts, Think Bold Be Bold, for supporting this campaign. As part of the corporate package, you’ll have the opportunity to be featured on their hit C-Suite Radio Network podcast. Don’t miss their conversation with Blake in the upcoming episode on March 22nd!
Connect with Blake
Follow Blake B. Shelley on Facebook and tune in for his Facebook Live broadcasts each weekday during the month of March to keep up with his journey and campaign progress!
Blake is available to speak at your event!
Organizer
Blake Shelley
Organizer
Portland, OR