Overview

Life has a way of keeping us humble, giving us difficult moments that catch us off guard, sometimes taking our breath away.  We do, however, have power over our responses to these disappointing and scary moments.  For nearly 8 years, Elizabeth Schilling battled first a brain tumor and then stage-four brain cancer, dying the day before her 29th birthday.  Before her death, however, Elizabeth used her life to inspire others to live theirs intentionally, teaching us to “adjust our sails.”  Her mother shares Elizabeth’s important life lessons, offering specific and tangible ways Elizabeth faced her own mortality at such a young age.

Format

The length of presentations and topic can be tailored to meet the organization’s needs.  A typical presentation is 50-60 minutes and takes the audience through the following steps:

• Introduction – Heather’s own childhood and early life experiences inform her intentional living and the skills she needed to support her daughter’s positive mindset as she navigated her terminal illness.

•  Development of Context - WOOP exercise allows the audience to connect to the speaker, connecting their own expectations with the speaker’s and her daughter’s

•  Learn to create a positive mindset - considering a good day allows us to develop that positive mindset.

o   Elizabeth, initially diagnosed with a brain tumor during her junior year in college, demonstrated her positive mindset, using the quote “She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails” to guide her approach to living.

• Learn to live with great intention, even during the worst experiences.  The WHY matters.

o   Taking ownership of her situation, Elizabeth spearheaded fundraisers for the American Brain Tumor Association, and even as she faced her own mortality, she made hundreds of hot pads to contribute to brain cancer research.  Elizabeth’s life reflects the power of paying it forward.

Expected Outcomes

• Participants will consider what a good day looks like and how intentional living benefits all aspects of their mental and physical well-being

• Participants will consider how they can use their lives, regardless of their journey, to impact the world

• Other expectations desired by the inviting group/institution.  

Speaker
Dr. Heather Schilling is a lifelong educator, with over three decades of teaching at the high school and collegiate levels.  The greatest gift of teaching is the opportunity to empower others - empower them to realize that regardless of the situation, their mindset matters. 

On December 21, 2021, Heather’s daughter, Elizabeth, lost her battle with stage four brain cancer the day before her 29th birthday.  Connecting the importance of living intentionally and reflection of her daughter’s journey with a terminal illness, Heather’s presentation engages the audience to consider their own lives – their impact on others around them – even their impact on the world.  Offering specific steps people can take, Heather leaves her audiences considering how they will live intentionally.

Fees

Dr. Heather Schilling does not charge a speaking fee; instead, she encourages the organization/institution to make a donation to the Elizabeth Schilling Adjust Your Sails Foundation, a non-profit focused on raising funds to support brain tumor/cancer research and empowering others to face life’s adversity with a positive mindset.  Dr. Schilling’s travel expenses are at the expense of the inviting organization/institution.

Contact

Dr. Heather Schilling

adjustyoursailsfoundation@gmail.com

(260) 578-7010