Recognition and Celebration:
Audrey Downes and DeAnna Elliott Better Babies Center, Chico, California 11/09/07
 

Audrey Downes and DeAnna Elliott were recognized for over 25 years of service to the field of Infant Massage at a Reception at the Better Babies Center in Chico, CA on November 9, 2007.

Audrey Downes first became aware of infant massage through an article (click to article) that her husband David handed to her while on a trip to Colorado in 1978. David told Audrey that when he read the article he knew it was something she would be interested in - that she was. She contacted Vimala and told her that she wanted to learn how to teach parents to massage their babies.

Vimala encouraged Audrey to host a training in Chico, CA – and she did. Audrey hosted the second infant massage instructor training course in the United States with the support of Walt Schafer. Walt founded the Stress and Health Center at Enloe Hospital in Chico. He created a position for Audrey Downes to do her Internship and wrote the forward for Vimala’s first Handbook. Other staff members at the Stress and Health Center were Dorine Sanders, Walt’s secretary and Terence Hoffman who met Audrey in 1985 when he succeeded Walt as the director of the Stress and Health Center.

Audrey’s college classmate, Arlene Hetherington, has known her since the late 1970’s. She remembers helping Audrey with her very first brochure for Infant Massage. They have remained good friends over the years. Click to see first brochure photo. Paula Edgar was in Audrey’s last training in 1994 and teaches infant massage at the Better Babies Center.

Ruth Romanska attended one of Audrey’s first trainings in 1985. After 24 years, Ruth continues to work as a Post-Partum Maternity Registered Nurse.

 

DeAnna has been actively teaching since taking Vimala’s training in 1981. She heard about Vimala and went to Boulder to attend one of the first trainings to become an instructor. When Audrey presented her Independent Trainer Training for Vimala in 1982 , DeAnna attended to begin her process of becoming a trainer.

While Audrey focused on the needs of developing the International Association, DeAnna followed her love of video. She produced “Heart to Heart”. Her focus for the last few years has been in filming. DeAnna’s latest film project previewed in 2006, and it is Cellular Echoes: Environmental Influences in the Journey from the Womb to the World. The film is an exploration of imprinting as it occurs in animals and humans in the first 6 stages of development: pre-conception, conception, gestation, birth and the first 24 hours after birth and into the early years. DeAnna said that this film came about as a result of her trying to better understand baby crying. To learn more, please visit Cellular Echoes

Over the last 25 years, DeAnna has trained thousands of people across the United States and in many countries around the world.

DeAnna’s frequent sponsor in Chico is Monica Soderstrom. Monica was trained by Audrey and is an avid supporter of Infant Massage in the Chico area. She has taught classes at the Better Babies Center with Paula Edgar.

Three years ago, DeAnna trained Willow DeJesus. Willow is an Occupational Therapist in private practice. She recently wrote and received grant to work with drug exposed babies and babies with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. These babies may be in foster care or they may be reunited with their birth parents. Regardless of where the babies move to, Willow has the privilege to follow the babies in her program.

Olga Morris was trained in Infant Massage in 1991, and attended an additional training by DeAnna in 2001. She has been involved with the Infant Massage for many years and is in the process of becoming an International Trainer. Olga was able to attend from Arizona. Linda Storm flew in from Virginia to co-train with DeAnna and help sponsor the reception. Linda is an International Trainer and Executive Director of the USA Chapter, whose home office now resides in Virginia.

The evening was delightful. Audrey shared her early experiences and drew comments and questions from those who supported her in the early years. DeAnna shared her experience and memories of her journey and work experience over the last 25 years.

The reception was part of a unique training which included Audrey, DeAnna and Linda. It was a special time to share many years of experience.

During the closing ceremonies of the training, Audrey presented each of the students with an original of Vimala’s Handbook for Loving Parents. Audrey and DeAnna were presented with Certificates of Appreciation from Linda. Audrey presented Linda with her doll ‘Nancy’ who she had used for so many years as a trainer.

Jody Wright, the President of the USA Board of Directors, and the last trainer to have been trained by Vimala, participated in spirit as she sent along flower arrangements to our two honored individuals in support and acknowledgment for all their efforts.

This was a historical event in the history of Infant Massage, and we are honored to be able to share it with you. Thank you for all the work you do – as you are the future of infant massage today.