Mom, Author and Disability Advocate Has Life Changing Experience with the Dolphins and Now Pays It Forward to Help Other Families

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Aug 09, 2016, 08:08 ET

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Aug. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For one family, the realization of different forms of communication came in 2000 with the birth of their third son. Graham Tresness, a nonverbal communicator with Cerebral Palsy is the son of Gregory Alan Tresness and Barbara Huntress Tresness based in Central NY.

While, the Tresness family searched long and hard for a way to communicate with their son, it would take years to find an answer. The first part of that answer came during their first trip to the Bahamas for the Upledger Institute's Dolphin Assisted Therapy Program.

Barbara Huntress Tresness with dolphin as she inspires others in her journey to pay it forward

According to Barb, "During the first trip we took to the Bahamas in 2004 to work with the dolphins, our lives changed." Since 2004, the Tresness family has been on quite a journey. Barbara has become an author, disability advocate, Craniosacral Therapist, and founder of CHAT Collective. Graham the youngest child serves as the inspiration behind this work as they help the world better understand communication challenges.

Barbara's memoir, "Beyond a Charmed Life: A Mother's Unconditional Love" was featured on Amazon in the 100 Best Sellers for Special Needs & Parenting and highlighted at the 2016 American Library Association Conference. It is available for purchase through Amazon, Barnes and Noble in print or ebook format. Reader comments include: "From heavy to humor, this story is beyond real. Tresness invites you to laugh, cry, but mostly to find hope, love, and joy for yourself."

Barbara has also written a guidebook on the communication challenges of our world: "Everyone Communicates: Learn How to Talk to Me!" The guidebook to communicating and socializing with Non Verbal and Limited Communicators.

For Barbara, her greatest joy comes in giving back to a program that provided hope when nothing else could. In an effort to make a difference in a child's life and pay acts of kindness forward, the Graham Fund was created with the intention of providing funds for children who might not otherwise be able to attend the Dolphin Assisted Therapy Program. "It is my wish to help children in the hope that others will experience what we did- a journey of healing and hope," shares Barb.

In 2015, Barbara had the honor of awarding a scholarship fund to one of her first clients. In August 2016, that family will travel with Barbara to take place in the Dolphin Assisted Therapy Program in the Bahamas.

To help continue the mission, consider donating to the Graham Fund through the Dr. John E. Upledger Foundation.

Connect with Barbara Huntress Tresness, visit CHAT Collective or on Facebook.

Recent Media highlighting Barbara's journey can be found at Syracuse Woman Magazine and WCNY Cycle of Health.

About Barbara Huntress Tresness

Her son Graham serves as inspiration for all her writings. She received a B.A. from University of Vermont, and currently lives with her husband and three sons in Manlius, NY, Connect with Barbara Huntress Tresness, visit CHAT Collective

Media Contact: Laura Ponticello,

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Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160803/395380

SOURCE Divine Phoenix Books