Shelly Beach, Faith Expert, Author, Speaker


Shelly Beach, MRE, is a graduate of Grand Rapids Theological Seminary; a Christy Award-winning author of seven books; and national speaker on faith, writing, and caregiving issues. She is also a major contributor to the New International Version Stewardship Study Bible as well as The Holy Bible: Mosaic. Her caregiving releases, Precious Lord, Take My Hand: Meditations for Caregivers and Ambushed by Grace: Help and Hope on the Caregiving Journey, are drawn from her eight years providing in-home care for her father-in-law with Parkinson's and mother with Alzheimer's.

Beach is a host for roundtable discussions that address caregiving questions on the website Help for My Life. She presents seminars and conferences in medical, educational, religious, and support settings such as Gilda's Clubs and the ALS Association. She appears regularly on radio and television across the nation. Beach is also cofounder of the Cedar Falls Christian Writer's Workshop in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and the Breathe Christian Writer's Workshop in Grand Haven, Michigan. Beach is a member of the Advanced Speakers and Writers Association, Christian Women Speakers, and the Christian Authors Network.

WHY I CARE

"I was inspired to care for aging loved ones by parents who cared for family members in our home, as well as friends in our community. My grandmother moved into our home when I was a teenager, and I often accompanied my mother on visits to help friends and loved ones who were home-bound.

My husband Dan and I became in-home caregivers when Dan's dad developed Parkinson's disease. Our choice was that he live with us as long as possible. Norman was with us for five years, until his needs were better served in a nearby veterans' facility. A week later, Dan and I moved my mother with Alzheimer's and my father into our home.

In 1999 I was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain lesion and wasn't expected to live. When my strength returned, I wanted to invest my life in caring for others out of gratitude to God. My writing and speaking are my way of passing along the blessings of caregiving I've received."

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