Tag Archives: inspirational

“Students with Autism Have Something to Teach All of Us” – Says Educator Brooke Rutledge

Rates of autism are rising in the United States, and there is no clear explanation as to why this is happening.

San Antonio, TX – USA, October 23, 2019 — Rates of autism are rising in the United States, and there is no clear explanation as to why this is happening. One clear challenge that classrooms across the country face is how to identify and help cultivate the unique talents that these students bring to the learning environment.

With nearly a decade of experience in the classroom, special educator Brooke Kodish Rutledge has seen firsthand the impact that a unique student can have on those around her. For Rutledge, her student, Clara, became a special inspiration.

“Even though I was her teacher,” Rutledge says, “I want people to know that she taught me a lot as well. She taught me that everyone has a voice; it’s just that sometimes they are harder to hear at first. I helped Clara discover her own voice and how it could shape others.” Rutledge recalls one of Clara’s favorite sayings: Relax, you’re cool. This saying has stayed with Rutledge in the years since having Clara in her classroom. This was a mantra that Clara would repeat to herself in moments of stress to stay calm and work through the troubling situation.

Rutledge observed Clara, as she progressed from not being able to functionally communicate verbally to being able to make requests, speak in sentences, and even sing to her classmates. Seeing this transformation “was beautiful and inspirational,” Rutledge comments.

Rutledge decided to share Clara’s story with the world in hopes of touching others just as Clara touched her. She penned her first book for children, entitled “A Rainbow Shines Through Clara” to not only shed light on the challenges of autism but to also emphasize how hope and perseverance can change a child’s life.

“Clara’s story is unique,” the author explains. “I hope that it inspires other people like it inspired me. I want people to be moved and realize how special these children are.” The takeaway message? “Don’t be afraid to make a connection with them.”

Publisher Lisa M. Umina comments, “Rutledge has a valuable perspective on the special contributions of children with autism in the classroom. Rutledge is teaching a message that we all need to hear about accepting others and ourselves and celebrating our differences.”

For more information about Brooke Kodish Rutledge visit her website www.brookekrutledge.wordpress.com and www.halopublishing.com.

A Rainbow Shines Through Clara” is now available at Halo Publishing International, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Books a Million.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa Michelle Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International, Inc
1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700-176,
San Antonio, TX 78213 – USA
+1 216-255-6756
contact@halopublishing.com

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Dying Words Express Heaven’s Grace to Surviving Loved Ones

Heaven is All Around You, soon to be released by Halo Publishing International, is the story of little girl’s talk with God about death.

Houston, TX (USA), Friday – April 27th, 2012 — Finding the words to tell loved ones that you are dying is extremely difficult and truly something no one wants or is prepared to do. Author Lydia Esparra said her sister, Memby, did not have the words to tell her two daughters that colon cancer would cause her death only 15 months after being diagnosed with the often fatal disease. That meant Esparra needed to talk to her young nieces. Grieving herself for her closest sibling, just 11 months apart in age, that experience was overwhelming, she said. Her discussion became the inspiration for a book Esparra hopes will help others faced with mortality.

Heaven is All Around You, soon to be released by Halo Publishing International, is the story of little girl’s talk with God about death. “It was difficult watching my sister struggle for the words. She really felt she would be here for them and never considered dying an option” Esparra said. “I really want this to be a tool to help other people do what my sister was unable to say.” “I wrote it hoping my nieces would know that these were the words in their mother’s heart. They can see her and feel her presence all around them, as can I,” she said.

“I had a dream about sharing my sister’s story to help other people. I guess it was sort of a healing process for me. I just felt it was the right thing,” Esparra said. “These are words that have to be said, and I’m hoping my book can help people do that with their loved ones.”

A staff member at Hospice Services of America, LLC, said the book is a “great tool to help anyone in the position of losing a loved one.” “It’s very inspirational,” the oncologist said.

Publisher Lisa Umina said Heaven is All Around You is the type of book the company is proud to be part of because it helps people, particularly during a very troubling and confusing time. “I hope that this new book will assist those needing the most difficult words they could ever say to their loved ones,” Umina said.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Esparra is one of 10 children raised in a family with strong Christian beliefs. She said her parents are both natives of Puerto Rico and that her dad worked in the once booming steel mill industry while her mother was employed as a nutrition aide. They provided a loving home and encouraged and inspired their children to succeed. Esparra is a graduate of Youngstown’s Ursuline High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from The Ohio State University. She became a television journalist and now anchors the weekend news programs from WOIO in Cleveland, Ohio, where the author has resided for the past 15 years. She is an Emmy award-winning journalist known for compassionate story telling. Esparra and her husband, Greg, have been married for 24 years.

To reach the publisher for comments, please call Lisa M. Umina at: 1-877-705-9647 To order Heaven is All Around You, visit http://www.halopublishing.com.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
AP #726 / P.O. Box 60326
Houston, TX 77205-0326
1-877-705-9647
lisa@halopublishing.com

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Milo Comes to Liverpool and Fabrica de Francia Stores

Agreement puts package of popular children’s books in more than 90 stores across Mexico.

Mexico City and Cleveland, May 05, 2011 — Families across Mexico will find it easier to keep up with the adventures of Milo, the children’s book character first introduced in 2002. Halo Publishing International ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) announced today that the Company has reached an agreement with the Mexico City-based Liverpool department store chain to carry a special package of three Milo products.

“We are very happy about the opportunity to work with Liverpool on a national level,” said Lisa Umina, Halo Publishing’s founder, president and award-winning author of the Milo series. “We had researched various options for broadening Milo’s exposure in Mexico, which is a very important market for us. The Liverpool agreement puts us within reach of families in virtually every part of the country.”

The two-product package which includes Milo Encuentra a Su Major Amigo (Milo Finds His Best Friend), Milo y el Carrito Verde (Milo and the Green Wagon), and a special Milo Puzzle, is available in Liverpool and Fabrica de Francia stores. Originally written for toddlers and younger children, the Milo books are finding fans in all age groups due to their positive messages, good humor, and cheerful artwork. In the newly-illustrated Milo Encuentra a Su Major Amigo (Milo Finds His Best Friend), his search for companionship leads him to something even greater, while Milo y el Carrito Verde (Milo and the Green Wagon) finds Milo and his friends learning about the joys of helping others.

The lovable, unassuming Milo has appeared in five books. The stories teach children about the power of faith, and the strength that comes from love, generosity and selflessness.

About Halo Publishing International:
Since 2002, Halo Publishing International (HPI) ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) has produced more than 200 titles in adult fiction and non-fiction, children’s, inspirational, sports and recreation, and other categories. HPI has offices in both the USA and Mexico that specialize in designing, producing, publishing and marketing books on behalf of independent authors.

About Lisa Umina:
Lisa Umina is founder and president of Halo Publishing International (HPI), and the award-winning author of the Milo series. She is recognized for her work as an author, literary consultant, missionary, philanthropist, and motivational speaker. A regular guest on regional and national television and radio programs and the subject of numerous print articles, Lisa travels extensively, promoting HPI and using the Milo books to expose children to positive values.

Contact: David Dalton (440) 773-4938

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina
Halo Publishing International
MEX 39026
PO Box 025385
Miami, Florida 33102-5385
216-255-6756
lisa@halopublishing.com

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