A Mother's Smile

If you are reading my blog tonight, then please do me a favor...

I nominated my one of my closest friends, Sherry LeBed Davis for this Amex Shine a Light competition. Unfortunately the voting ends tonight, we need 50 votes to put her into the judging for three finalists which starts tomorrow. PLEASE if you are reading this tonight, go to this link and vote for my friend, Sherry who I nominated, she has an amazing small business that could so use the prize money and marketing support. It should take you right to her page, if it doesn't for some reason, her company is Healthy-Steps and the article I wrote is A Mother's Smile.

Thanks so much for doing this for me (and Sherry) on such short notice.

http://shinealight.ivillage.com/sbo-profile/?ProfileID=1475

Here's the story just in case you miss tonight's deadline;

Sherry’s desire to bring a smile back to her Mother’s face spawned a program and business that now brings smiles to the faces of thousands of participants around the country. Sherry Lebed Davis defines the word inspiration. She “shines a light” on the lives of so many. A woman who decided to use the challenges life presented her with to help others rather than to be the victim, she is the epitome of what your contest represents and would use the grant and support to spread enormous hope and education to the masses. In 1980, Sherry Lebed Davis’ mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Although she was treated successfully, Sherry’s mother’s recovery hit some bad spots, both emotionally and physically. Sherry, a professional dancer, and her two brothers, both physicians, developed a therapeutic program for their mother based on movement and music. Sherry’s mother was soon smiling again and her physical recovery picked up. In 1996 Sherry developed Breast Cancer and utilized the program they had developed for her mother to aid in her own recovery. She began teaching this program, the Lebed Method, at the local hospitals in the Seattle area. This was the beginning of a small business, now known as Healthy-Steps, that conducts trainings for instructors across the country and internationally. The instructors, once trained, return to their communities and hold classes to aid in the recovery and improve the quality of life for thousands of individuals, from the elderly, to those living with Lymphedema and all types of cancer and now many other chronic illnesses. Sherry also developed a program for children, Creative Rhythms, to bring joy and movement to children undergoing various treatments. Besides conducting instructor trainings, Healthy-Steps also offers books and DVDs for sale to those who may not have access to a class, and Sherry makes presentations around the country. With three medical studies attesting to its’ efficacy, Healthy Steps is rapidly being integrated into the therapy options at many hospitals. Sherry wrote a book, Thriving After Breast Cancer, she was featured in People Magazine, appeared on the Today Show and has been the focus of media due to her amazing inspirational life story. From the desire to bring a smile back to the face of her mother, Sherry’s program now brings smiles, recovery, and improved quality of life to thousands. The Healthy-Steps therapeutic exercise program, based on medicine, movement, and music is helping to heal bodies, minds, and spirits.