Comments from our clients
From Girl to Woman, A Path to Follow
"My 16 year old daughter and I have a very candid and loving relationship. Yet, like any mother and daughter, we butt heads about a variety of issues. There are so many things that I want to tell her, things that I want my nearly-a-woman daughter to know, but she can’t always “receive” this information from me. What a joy to have a gathering of other trusted women, led by a fabulous R.N. (Amy) to share with my 16 year old our collective wisdom. This gathering had a message that was both scientifically and anectodally based, which reached my daughter on an intellectual and emotional level. It was so incredibly positive, authentic, warm and loving that my daughter not only heard all of our tips and stories, she reveled in them! She even shared much of what she heard with my husband and her sisters at home! With the negativity that women face in our culture, every young woman should have this opportunity – a chance to connect with the power of the feminine."
Janet Gates, mother and middle school Health and Life Science teacher, March 2009
Growing up Female
“I first attended Amy’s ‘Growing Up Female’ class 5 years ago with my older daughter. It was such a great experience that my first thought after the class was done was that I had to make sure and host this class myself when my younger daughter got to 5th grade.
Five years have passed and I just hosted a “Growing Up Female” class for my younger daughter. This class has only gotten better over time! Every one of the 5th grade girls in attendance sat riveted the whole time Amy spoke. It is hard to put into words how great Amy is with the girls or what she does that is so remarkable because you just have to see her in action! She has a way of talking to the girls in such a straightforward manner about the changes that their bodies will be going through in the next couple of years that none of them shrink from the subject matter at all.
Every mom in attendance came up to me afterwards and thanked me so much for having included them in this class. I had several moms with older daughters saying they wish they’d known about the class when their older daughters were in 5th grade; one mom even said she and her younger daughter were going to share everything they’d learned with the older daughter anyway!
This class is great, not only because it covers some great subject matter but also because it opens up the subject for future discussion. Since mom and daughter have had a shared experience, there is a common framework and understanding to build on. Future discussions are more comfortable for both.
For anyone with a daughter about to go through these pre-teen years I highly recommend this class!”
Kate Jupina, Pleasanton, California, January 2009
Read Kate’s blog, Kate’s Green List: How to Go Green Where You Live.
Fabulous to be Female
"When Amy spoke to our group she touched us at a deep level. I felt an immediate connection to her. She brought out in me an overwhelming sense of goodness in my self that I had lost touch with. I felt valued, valuable and hopeful. Amy helped us identify the joys in our own lives, even in the midst of troubling times and busy family life. I felt glad to be a woman; I didn’t want the session to end."
- Terrie Gallagher, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Walnut Creek, California, December, 2008
- Comments from other women from St. Mary’s
“It was funny.”
“I liked the way it felt like you were speaking directly to me.”
“I could tell you really understood.”
“You showed us the love you spoke about.”
Families and Faith
“We hired Amy Sluss this fall to do a kick off event and a training session. She was terrific! Amy warmed up the crowd with laughter and play then led them into a learning experience that was effective and fun! She shared real-life stories, was positive and inspiring. Amy has an amazing ability to engage all ages in interactive learning. Adults were moved by her sharing; kids enjoyed the games and the play. I heard from many participants how inspired they were by her suggestions and thoughtful insights.
Working with Amy from planning through execution was a breeze! I highly recommend her.
Liz Rogers, Intergenerational Ministries Coordinator,Catholic Community of Pleasanton, Pleasanton, California
October 2008
Families and Faith
"I wish to offer this endorsement of Amy Sluss as a result of work she did for us in our church as speaker and presenter for a weekend workshop in Boise in August 2008. As Formation Leader for Small Church Communities at our large parish, I invited Amy to coordinate a three-part full day event for staff, team members and families. There were about 100 people in all including 60 children, from toddlers to teens, and their parents. The three sessions were to train staff and team members, to instruct parents, and to lead the families in an inter-generational event in preparation for going forward on their own.
As one might ascertain, this “intergenerational event” had the potential to be a very busy, high energy gathering, and all attendees were curious to see how Amy was going to manage it. There was no need for concern. Amy captivated the entire group right away. She is knowledgeable and has personal experience with her subject, was well prepared, and established an immediate connection with everyone, involving the youngsters as well as impressing the adults with her winsome and cheerful way. She was passionate about sharing all topics and issues associated with this field, engaged the attendees with interactive tasks, taught us fully and completely, and inspired us all with a stirring vision of the positive results that we might expect from our involvement.
I would heartily recommend Amy for any speaking engagement or presentation for which she offers her services. I know well that because her style is to embrace only topics about which she is passionate, that she is as knowledgeable and capable as anyone could possibly be. Anyone may be assured of her high level of commitment, delivery, and follow-through"
Karen Simkins, St. Mark’s Catholic Community, Boise, Idaho
August, 2008
Amy Sluss Changed My Life
Eleven years ago Amy Sluss came into my life and changed the way I approached my healthcare and the healthcare of my pre-teen daughter. Amy, with her nursing background, was asked to speak to the mothers and daughter’s of the Girl Scout Troop. Amy offered a positive course on “Growing Up Female.” Her professional, and yet compassionate, teaching style that afternoon had a profound effect on my own life. She had a gift of explaining their changing bodies in a positive way; this was such an improvement in the way my generation had learned about the facts of life. This led to many personal questions about my own health and I asked to meet with her separately.
At our meeting at a later date, she strongly suggested that as a woman and a mother, that I take control of my healthcare. I needed to not only take charge of my healthcare but to commit to setting an example of a healthy strong attitude for my daughter. At her recommendation, I set up an appointment with my own personal physician, opened up dialog with my healthcare providers and this changed my life! Only then could I offer the strength and positive attitude to my daughter as she was approaching her adolescent years.
Thank you Amy, I wanted you to know how grateful I have been for your guidance. I was so very impressed with you professionalism and positive attitude in handling my situation and the encouragement to seek proper medical treatment.
With Sincere Gratitude,
Denise Rising, Pleasanton, California
More Comments:
I wholeheartedly recommend Amy Sluss as a workshop presenter and speaker. Amy’s speaking style is at once warm and professional. One of her greatest strengths is that she prepares fabulous introductions for her presentations that captivate attendees from the very first moments. Additionally, one can always count on Amy to present engaging, well-researched material, start and finish on time, and leave the audience with a solid foundation of information that is truly meaningful.
After attending Amy's “Health Care Your Way” workshop, I immediately went home and compiled two lists of health related information, one for my husband, and one for me. We both were already carrying lists of all medications, including prescription, non-prescription, supplements and vitamins. It made so much sense to also carry information about our medical history and recent tests and procedures. I found Amy to be professional, knowledgeable and caring. Her ability to assist in navigating the health care systems (gov't & private sectors) is an extremely valuable service, and one that definitely needs to be addressed. I highly recommend Amy as a health care advocate & health chart professional.
Gail Lefcourt, Pleasanton, California
From "Chart Your Own Health" attendees:
"This helps me keep track of my information. I'm doing pretty well now - controlling my blood pressure and exercising. I like having my own record. When I go to the doctor he pays more attention to me - I think because he knows that I'm serious about my health. I'm glad that I have gotten organized and can track changes as time goes on. I'm not getting any younger!" 45 year old 'healthy' father of 4
"We have some serious health issues in our family. Organizing our records and pulling them together made so much sense. Now I know that if something happens to me - someone else can find the informaiton they need to continue the care for my son." mother of four - 2 children with significant health issues
"My records are more complete than the doctors'. I am so glad I took the time to pull them together. And, Amy made it easy." 45 year old female
"I have a progressive disease. I felt overwhelmed by the implications. I felt much better once my records were organized and visible. I realized that I do have some control over what happens next. It was a normalizing experience for me. Thank you!" 35 year old male client
"The EMTs looked at me with gratitude and said, 'everyone should have this' when I gave them the medical summary and medication sheet." 46 year old daughter - caring for aging and ill mother
"The emergency medical summary was a lifesaver. My wife is on so many medications that it's hard to keep them straight. Amy helped us put everything in order so that when we had to call 911 or go to the hospital we had a current list of medicines and medical issues. It gave me real peace of mind because I had done all that I could." 77 year old man - primary car provider for his wife
"We had been meaning to sign a health care directive for a long time. We finally pulled it all together and we're glad Amy headed us in that direction." 37 year old non-traditional family - living together
