Donna has both personal and professional reasons for working visually.
On a personal level, she is the mother of an adult son with a lifelong disability and limited communication abilities.
Professionally, her career in Restorative Justice, Conflict Resolution, and Mediation – including her work with her state’s Supreme Court and Alternative Dispute Resolution Department, as well as her involvement with teachers and students in the local school system – has reinforced the value of visual communication.
“I help people do what they least want to do – communicate with each other! Whether it’s people with disabilities, parents with their kids or ex-partners, seniors in their ageing and end of life, or people who have caused harm to each other in various kinds of ways.
Working visually helps me make the invisible visible. I literally draw out of people what is deep inside, and help them share that with themselves and others.
- Life maps and strategic plans for individuals.
- Co-parenting plans.
- Mediation disputes and effective restoration approaches.
- Helping the elderly communicate who they are and what they need.
- Repairing harm and broken relationships.
- Enhancing my trainings for teachers and staff.
Christina’s Fundamentals and Visual Coach Certification courses were very practical and skills-based. They pragmatically helped me add more depth and range to my process toolkit.
As an unexpected bonus, I made some really strong friendships with a close group of like-hearted and supportive colleagues – several of us collaborating on joint projects, and even going on holiday together!
Working visually is not only productive, it opens people up to their better selves and helps shift our world. Plus, after so many years of doing what I do, it challenges me and my clients to think and communicate in new ways, which are surprisingly fun and well-received!”
Donna Chewning
Vinton, Virginia
sharedsolutionsva@gmail.com
