Meet Brenda Sturgeleski | Executive Director, Founder and Child Life/Rec Therapist, Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brenda Sturgeleski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brenda, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
~I believe in the value of content, but have always felt a calling to step beyond the edges of the box and put a bow on top. I still remember writing reports in early grade school days and spending more time on the picture on the cover of a report than the write-up. I never felt like there was/is anything wrong with concrete, logical thinking. But I do feel like everyone/thing goes better when it’s surrounded with a little sparkle. That being said, I realized that the value in creating your own business gives you the freedom to prioritize my own personal mission.
I also feel grateful that being able rearrange my daily schedule allows me to service the needs of my family as well as my own health challenges.*

What should our readers know about your business?
~”The cracks through the stained glass are where the light shines through.” ~

Many wise scholars have revealed similar concepts to this phrase which has long inspired me for my career.

My window pane of life has quite a few cracks, breaks and even shatters as I have stayed committed to the long-standing dream to help children and families in the hospital.

I see my life and career survival as a gift. The glimpses of light in my window are my true motivators to inspire myself and others for their dream.

With a history of illness, I am able to understand that the depth of a physical battle needs to be nurtured emotionally. Wanting to help others understand this need has been a challenge. After many years of pushing my sparkle to be enjoyed, I realized that the beauty of a stained glass art piece is often seen when the other side of the glass is darkened. In other words, a great lesson I’ve learned is to let your story unfold. Trust your faith and resourcefulness. Gathering the worth and fuel from others, only leaves you with shattered dreams.

Child-Friendly Hospital Foundation provides therapeutic tools and training for children, families and staff within a medical environment. But the brand of CFHF I/we believe will stretch beyond a single nonprofit Foundation. CFHF will be a hospital practice that all facilities develop and apply. I want all patients to expect proper CFHF care. I pray the staff and the public have a perfect understanding of what it means to be treated appropriate for their age bracket and CFHF will be a leading force for pediatric and family engagement. This moment will better the public’s attitude toward the medical environment and going further, help improve the health of individuals stating at a very young age.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

~No doubt I might be a wee bit biased, but, as a native, I do believe that Colorado is the best of the 50 states to reside. Not only do we experience all four seasons throughout the year. There are often times that we experience all four seasons throughout one day. I feel a bit unworthy to give you a “show me a good time“ answer. I’m not the type of entrepreneur that you see gallivanting around town. But one of the things I do pride myself on is creating an event or environment particular to the person of interest. That being said, it would depend on the friend. I expect that most of my friends would likely choose a day trip extraordinaire in the beautiful land of Colorado hiking, biking walking or just simply soaking up one of the 360 days of sunshine for which we are blessed in this treasured land.

A good portion of my friends are also philanthropy minded. It it’s highly likely that their idea of “exciting people” would be similar to mine. There is truly nothing better in my/our mind than finding a group of people in need. Taking part in serving at a hospital, homeless shelter, food kitchen is it our idea of a good time. As Beautiful as Colorado is, the needs of people here are not hidden. We wouldn’t have to go far to pitch in and service a person of lack.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
~What a privilege it is to be asked to participate in the Shoutout series. But I’ll be a fool to personalize the glory for any of my victories. Child-Friendly Hospital Foundation could not have manifested without the grace of our great Creator. CFHF does not have a religious programming, but I am very committed to the giving gratitude to the source of my inner light/inspiration. I will be forever grateful for my loving family and their willingness to never give up despite the trials my “nine lives.”
My close friends and Board CFHF Board Members are people who need no explanation when you ask for their support-this principle is priceless!

Website: https://www.childfriendlyhospitalfoundation.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfriendhf/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChildFriendHF

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/childfriendlyhospitalfoundation/

Image Credits
~most grateful for: Angel Flight, Buzzy Pain Care Devices, Sarah Nunnally