"On April 26 2002 my husband was killed in a work related accident. My world was pulled out from under me, and I spent the entire summer just breathing.
As time began to pass, I realized I had some choices. My two children almost 4 yrs and 18months started to act differently. There seemed to be a sadness that projected from them. Then it hit me, they were reflecting my emotions. They witness a drastic change in my demeanor that they followed suit.
I then realized I needed support. In my personal opinion, I needed to talk to someone who understands the rawness of the pain associated with the loss of a loved one. One who can feel the same black hole that sits in the pit of my being. I need to be with people like me. I contacted the Bereaved Families of Ontario – York Region. To my surprise, there was an informal drop in that was to take place in a couple of weeks. I knew I had to go, but was afraid that if I did the floodgates would open full force. I believe that was in Oct/ Nov 2002.
I successfully made it through the first gathering, and found comfort in sharing my tears with others who also suffered a similar loss. I said very little that night, mostly due to the fact I was all choked up and held back as much as I could.
Then it happened. I was invited to join a spousal support group led by Ken Penrose. I met Ken at the first gathering and felt comfortable with him. It was an eight-week agenda that assisted me immensely in this journey of grief. The first few meetings were difficult in not knowing what to expect. Ken graciously did most of the talking and shared a lot of his emotions, and physical challenges during his journey. This helped to open the door to further discussions. As time went on, I found it a place that I could vent without being judged, a safe haven to cry, a mutual understanding of the dark hole that lives in all of us. It gave me some hope that perhaps if we all shared our grief together, we might just find some light somewhere on the journey that will last a lifetime.
Thanks to Ken for always sharing his grief openly, boosting our moral when we were down, and holding our hands when we were lost. During this time, I have shared the deepest feelings of loss one can hold. Releasing it to people who feel the same has given me friendships that are weaved out of pure emotions. The kind of relationship that needs no words, only silence that is merely just understood.Sincerely, Fran DeFilippis
"... thank you for completing the Myers-Briggs and the Enneagram indicators with me. It was an interesting process...I have done similar indicators in the past...your expertise...made this experience much more beneficial. I have gained insight into myself and others. The knowledge I gained from going through the process has enhanced the way I communicate with different people...[and] reaffirmed some ideas that I have been working on for the growth of my business. I have been working on the personal growth areas we discussed too with good success....I think anyone would benefit from going through this exercise! Thanks again Ken!"Lori Beardmore, Feng Shui Consultant/Instructor
"I would like to say how pleased and satisfied we are with your facilitation of our Operations Leadership Development Program.....It is critical that we have up-to-date knowledge, attitudes and skills essential to facilitating the cultural shift at Mitsubishi to a more customer service driven organization through collaborative, participative, team-oriented work...."Andy Redman, Manager, Human Resources,
Mitsubishi Electronics Industries Canada Inc.
"Your presentation on 'Partnership and Empowerment through Stewardship' at the ODVH/OAVA conference was an overwhelming success....."
"You successfully conveyed the importance of shifting the focus from control and compliance to one of partnership and commitment. ....In spite of the 200 people in attendance you managed to involve the delegates in a lively discussion. ....The session gave me the enthusiasm to go out and implement the ideas."Magda Rigo, Director, Volunteer Resources,
Markham Stouffville Hospital
"For 20 years Mr. Penrose has provided the pivotal focus of our leadership development program...The feedback from the program participants continues to be very favorable not only to the program, but to Mr. Penrose's style of delivery. He maintains the sense of purpose and accomplishes the objectives with expertise, humour and sensitivity."C. Pitt, Superintendent of Education,
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
"...half the staff [had] already been through the Myers-Briggs process....I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the depth of information you presented and your ability to engage the staff with humour and interactive exercises, kept our attention the entire day.....everyone thought the workshop was excellent."Lena Jackson, Executive Director,
Canadian Mental Health Association
"Thank you very much for facilitating 'Managing Stress and Difficult People with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator'....Your knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject made this a positive and valuable workshop for all participants. This was an insightful and informative presentation, which will enable staff to more easily identify personality traits and differences in their colleagues....and use this information to create a more satisfying work environment."Marg Campbell, Executive Director,
Pathways
"...insightful, helpful, rich content...wonderful content and discussion...informative and useful....clear focus and presentation style....we recommend the workshop to any group that would like to understand one another better to work together with more insight and effectiveness...."John C. Miller, C.A., Controller,
King's College
"....revealing...powerful...valuable...inspiring...creative..."Dan Hopkins, Director, Marketing Communications,
Lafarge Canada Inc.
"You are a facilitator 'par excellence'."Wyn A. Chivers, Executive Director,
United Way of York Region
"...I found the day easy to plan due to your great organizational skills and the thorough information package you provided...Everyone was impressed with your knowledge and enthusiasm and I have spoken to several staff members who are already reevaluating how they interact with fellow staff members and the general public...almost everyone rated the workshop [as] excellent... - 'warmly facilitated, Ken didn't overpower', 'thought-provoking and practical', 'like handbook very much...bibliography was excellent resource...more time with Ken would be good.'..."Leslie Muirhead, Assistant Librarian for Public Services,
Wentworth Libraries
"The MB Type is a great foundation for getting to know oneself and colleagues better, but it is the applicability of what one learns that offers value in the workplace (and at home!). Your suggestions for reframing interactions were helpful in enhancing team effectiveness."John C. Miller, C.A, Controller,
King's College
"...awesome...eye-opening...excellent...fantastic...could not be better..."Wayne Smith, Manager, Training and Development,
Livingston
"This workshop provided the base of understanding of the diversity of style preferences in our team, and it showed how we can best take advantage of the wide range of strengths and skills we possess as a team. ...I appreciate the key role you have played in using the Myers-Briggs to help our team make the changes essential to becoming a truly high-performing team."Murray Wigmore, General Manager, Chemical Analysis Group,
Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd.
"...you achieved an outstanding overall rating of 96.6% for your role as facilitator of the workshops [Advanced Leadership Development Program]...What is most satisfying is the number of dramatic, positive behaviour changes in several members of the Senior Management Team following the training. These managers are now taking time out of their very busy schedules to coach, guide and develop their operations leaders in building a more team-oriented, participative culture...The bottom-line benefits of these behaviour changes...are responsible for the dramatic savings to Mitsubishi...we look forward to continuing our synergistic partnership with KEN PENROSE and ASSOCIATES.."Andy Redman, Manager, Human Resources,
Mitsubishi Electronics Industries Canada Inc.
