LISTEN & LEARN:

In one of her inspiring “speechless speeches” Anne Marie will share with you “The Power of Finding Your Own Voice”.  You’ll learn how you can contribute more vitality and passion to yourself and others everyday, how to fully engage in your own life, how to adapt and change in the face of amazing adversity (even death) and how to live more powerfully.

She says " It took losing the power of speech to find my voice."

Come to Rockit Bar & Grill to hear Anne Marie's amazing story about how being diagnosed with ALS has changed her life and how she's become more active in her community afterwards.

Admission: Free Event

WHY IS THIS EVENT UNIQUE?

• SFANF events bring together people striving for positive and meaningful change. Audiences are high caliber and eager to learn from the experience of the speaker.

• Distinctive atmosphere created by the speaker and audience that challenges everyone to engage in an active dialogue.

• Learn and connect with peers in a meaningful way.

ABOUT ANNE MARIE

In 2006, Anne Marie Schlekeway left her executive position at an international Training and Develpoment firm due to her diminishing capacity to speak and severe fatigue.  “I managed programs over a 6 state area, routinely led trainings for 100-300 people at a time and I loved it! But working 75-80 hours a week had wrecked my immune system, depleted my adrenal glands and sapped my spirit.”  3 years later, after 5.5 years of symptoms, she was finally diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gherig's disease. ALS has an average life expectancy of 3-5 years, there is no treatment or cure.

In 2007, Anne Marie founded her own executive coaching company,which has clients in Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles . Her Master Plan program focuses on sustainable excellence through planning, elevated self-care and wellness practices. Since her diagnosis in March of 2009, she created Kiss My ALS, an organization devoted to raising funds for ALS research and awareness of this condition through her blog at www.kissmyals.com and other events. Kiss My ALS.com was featured in the Chicago Tribune, on Dec 14th,2009. “Before my diagnosis I dealt with the uncertainty of what the heck is happening to me? After my diagnosis I deal with the uncertainty of my expiration date. Maintaining an empowered mindset in the face of any circumstances has become my forte, it’s what my programs are all about. ”

STORY FROM A NEW FRIEND BACKGROUND

Founded in 2005, Story From a New Friend (SFANF) is dedicated to facilitating the understanding and appreciation of diversity through education derived from real life stories.

SFANF challenges individuals to engage in an active dialogue with the world around them – a group constantly striving for positive and meaningful change.