Lois grew up believing that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to do. She never considered her mind would turn out to be her biggest challenge. Lois shares her emotional journey of confronting her personal loss and adjusting to a sudden life change caused by a brain injury. Her character, Louis, reminds us that laughter is the best medicine, but there will be times when we are unable to laugh. So then... what do you do when life looks ugly?

"When life knocks you down, humor is the magic wand that cushions your fall, lifts you back up, and points you in a new direction." -Lois McElravy

Things are not as they first appear. Brain injuries may destroy life plans, but they don't have to destroy lives.

Things don't always go as planned. Brain injuries provide an over-abundance of unexpected and uncontrollable happenings that push you past your limits.. Laughter is your pressure relief valve.

Are you going to let your difficulties ruin your day? Develop a survival kit of secret weapons and take a time-out from the challenges of living with a brain injury to rejuvenate and have fun.

Ask is not a four-letter word. Help is available, if you ask. Seek your internal wisdom and listen to your "little voice."

Look for the treasures in your trials. When life doesn't go your way, find a way.

Never give-up or lose hope. When you least expect, something wonderful happens.

PROGRAM PERSONALIZATION: Lois interviews each client to identify their goals and the theme of their conference or training. During her presentation, she highlights the segments of her story that relate to the participants needs or goals.

LOUIS - Character performance (Meet Louis)

Louis says, "Laughter may be the best medicine. But, what do you do when life looks ugly, and you wish you could find a way to laugh about your circumstances, but you can't?"

• Healing Power of Humor and the Magic of Laughter
• Secret Weapons - Stress Buster Strategies

LOIS - Brain Injury Signature Story

Lois says, "Larry asked me if I was going to let my brain injury ruin every day. After careful consideration of 30 seconds, I told him ... yes, I think I will." Larry said, "I don't think you have to."

• Overcome "Terminal Seriousness"
• Accept your Flaws or Uniqueness
• Ask is not a Four-Letter Word
• Listen to Your Internal Wisdom
• Dare to Feel Happy in the Midst of Trying Times
• Never Give-up or Lose Hope - Wonderful Things Still Happen!

Program Outcomes and Benefits -

Lois provides personal insights and hard-earned wisdom to family, care-givers and professionals to broaden their understanding of brain injury from the perspective of a survivor.

Lois' personal story offers hope, instills a special gift of self-acceptance for persons living with a brain injury, and provides tools to help them to adjust to their new reality, redefine their life purpose and feel happy.

Participants will feel inspired and motivated to:

• examine their own response to challenge and adversity 
• accept the things they are powerless to change 
• let go of their previous life
• adjust to their new reality 
• recognize the healing power of humor and the magic of laughter
• laugh at the funny side of brain injury
• learn how to use humor to reduce stress and cope with difficulties
• take advantage of every opportunity to improve their attitude, health and abilities
• bridge the gap of misunderstanding and improve relationships
• identify and strip-away their wrong beliefs 
• step-out from behind their mask of limitations, take inventory and build a new life
• recognize the empowerment of asking and the self-imposed hardship of not asking
• seek their inner wisdom and listen to their "little voice"
• commit to be faithful to do small things consistently to produce results over time
• refuse to give-up or lose hope
• take a time-out from their problems with Secret Weapon Stress Buster Strategies
• dare to feel happy in the midst of trying times
• feel hopeful and believe that tomorrow will be better

Program Length: 75-90 minute keynote
Target Audience: Survivors, Family members, Care-givers, Professionals
Content level: Life-changing content for a mixed audience; many take-aways; heartfelt and hilarious