Jefri Franks
Are you a healthcare professional who must deal with end of life issues with some patients? Do you ever feel uncomfortable dealing with patients and their families on end of life issues? Do you ever wish you had some "tools" to put into use in those end of life conversations? Are you a professional who assists the bereaved? Do you ever wish to know what grief is like from the inside? Do you feel the need for more "tools" to rely upon when counseling the bereaved?
Jefri gives that personal, inside perspective of what critically ill patients and their families need. Through her own experience she can offer assistance on how to approach end of life conversations, what to say and what not to say and how to navigate this intense, sacred territory. Through the story of her quest to build a new life after her daughter's death, Jefri shares the coping techniques that have given her hope and resilience.
Jefri Franks, M.S. lost her daughter, Heather to cancer in 2001. Beginning in 2003 Jefri began to receive requests to speak to healthcare professionals about the journey of her daughter's illness and ultimate death. Jefri is now a Keynote Speaker, coach and consultant on the issues of grief and loss and the journey of building resilience and hope.
Author of the forthcoming book, "Heather's Journey; A mother's accidental guide through loss to hope". Also author of the recently published article, "The Power of Presence", Journal of Palliative Medicine, March 2010
KEYNOTE SPEECHES
1. BUILDING RESILIENCE AND HOPE
In the aftermath of a life changing event, how do you move forward in a healthy way?
You will learn:
How to begin the process of putting one foot in front of the other
How to identify and break down obstacles
How to create coping tools for the journey
How to find a new "normal"
How to rediscover hope
2. THE POWER OF PRESENCE
Companioning someone through a difficult time is one of the greatest gifts you can give another human being.
You will learn:
What it means to "companion" another person
How to identify your unique companioning gifts
How to reach out to a person who is suffering
How to take care of yourself as you companion another
BREAKOUT OR WORKSHOP OPTIONS
1. WHAT DO CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES NEED?
Jefri illustrates the vital role healthcare workers can play as she takes you through the
journey of her 11 year old daughter's battle with cancer.
You will learn:
Effective communication strategies for critically ill or end of life patients
How to honor an end of life patient
What you can "give" to an end of life patient and their family
Patients don't just want to know what you know; they want to know that you care
2. CONVERSATIONS WITH HEATHER ABOUT DEATH: A MOTHER SPEAKS
In our "death phobic" society talking about end of life can be a daunting task. When the dying person
is someone you love it can seem overwhelming and impossible.
You will learn:
The content of 5 specific conversations Jefri had with her Daughter Heather about death
The advantages to talking about the elephant in the room
How these conversations helped Heather and Jefri see this journey through
The power of sharing vulnerability
Are you a healthcare professional who must deal with end of life issues with some patients? Do you ever feel uncomfortable dealing with patients and their families on end of life issues? Do you ever wish you had some "tools" to put into use in those end of life conversations? Are you a professional who assists the bereaved? Do you ever wish to know what grief is like from the inside? Do you feel the need for more "tools" to rely upon when counseling the bereaved?
Jefri gives that personal, inside perspective of what critically ill patients and their families need. Through her own experience she can offer assistance on how to approach end of life conversations, what to say and what not to say and how to navigate this intense, sacred territory. Through the story of her quest to build a new life after her daughter's death, Jefri shares the coping techniques that have given her hope and resilience.
Jefri Franks, M.S. lost her daughter, Heather to cancer in 2001. Beginning in 2003 Jefri began to receive requests to speak to healthcare professionals about the journey of her daughter's illness and ultimate death. Jefri is now a Keynote Speaker, coach and consultant on the issues of grief and loss and the journey of building resilience and hope.
Author of the forthcoming book, "Heather's Journey; A mother's accidental guide through loss to hope". Also author of the recently published article, "The Power of Presence", Journal of Palliative Medicine, March 2010
KEYNOTE SPEECHES
1. BUILDING RESILIENCE AND HOPE
In the aftermath of a life changing event, how do you move forward in a healthy way?
You will learn:
How to begin the process of putting one foot in front of the other
How to identify and break down obstacles
How to create coping tools for the journey
How to find a new "normal"
How to rediscover hope
2. THE POWER OF PRESENCE
Companioning someone through a difficult time is one of the greatest gifts you can give another human being.
You will learn:
What it means to "companion" another person
How to identify your unique companioning gifts
How to reach out to a person who is suffering
How to take care of yourself as you companion another
BREAKOUT OR WORKSHOP OPTIONS
1. WHAT DO CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES NEED?
Jefri illustrates the vital role healthcare workers can play as she takes you through the
journey of her 11 year old daughter's battle with cancer.
You will learn:
Effective communication strategies for critically ill or end of life patients
How to honor an end of life patient
What you can "give" to an end of life patient and their family
Patients don't just want to know what you know; they want to know that you care
2. CONVERSATIONS WITH HEATHER ABOUT DEATH: A MOTHER SPEAKS
In our "death phobic" society talking about end of life can be a daunting task. When the dying person
is someone you love it can seem overwhelming and impossible.
You will learn:
The content of 5 specific conversations Jefri had with her Daughter Heather about death
The advantages to talking about the elephant in the room
How these conversations helped Heather and Jefri see this journey through
The power of sharing vulnerability
