Living Innovations recently hosted a dynamic Speakers Bureau presentation, “Healthy Relationships,” featuring RI Cross Disabilities Coalition leaders Tanja Blicker-Ucran and Deanne Gagne. Their engaging and thoughtful style quickly built rapport with participants, fostering a conversation that was open, friendly, and rooted in trust.
Deanne and Tanja began by asking a simple but powerful question: “Who is your best friend and why?” The responses flowed easily – stories of lifelong friends, siblings, and even trusted service providers who make people feel accepted and at ease. One participant summed it up perfectly when she said, “Sometimes there’s just an instant click.” From there, the group reflected on what truly makes someone deserving of the title “best friend,” emphasizing the time it takes to build trust, the consistency that strengthens bonds, and the comfort of sharing personal thoughts freely.
That opening question set the stage for deeper conversations. Participants explored what relationships really mean and what makes them healthy. Together they identified the hallmarks of a positive connection: relationships that encourage personal growth, provide energy, and foster resilience. Using a lighthearted food theme in their presentation slides, Deanne and Tanja compared healthy relationships to food that sustains us, while contrasting them with “junk food”. The analogy sparked laughter and thoughtful discussion about the importance of making healthier emotional choices.
Throughout the session, trust and respect emerged as foundational elements. Deanne and Tanja guided the conversation with empathy and insight, helping participants recognize signs of unhealthy patterns and develop strategies to address them. Their approach invited honesty while keeping the experience positive and empowering.
By the end of the discussion, participants reflected on how relationships differ across contexts such as family, friendships, and co-workers, as well as how communication and boundaries evolve within each. One participant captured the essence of the session with a phrase that perfectly described strong relationships, but also served as the spirit of the event itself: “Rock solid.”
