Trauma to Triumph

Dr. Sky Lea Ross, a young woman who has triumphed over a childhood of trauma, gave an inspirational and well-received author talk at Pasadena Village.

Sky went from an abusive childhood to a loving foster mother at age 16.  With the love and encouragement of this foster mother, the love and encouragement of a father who was unable to care for her, the support of the high school English teacher who believed in her, and the help of strangers through Journey House (www.journeyhouseyouth.org), Sky beat all odds and moved from trauma to triumph when she earned her doctorate.

Sky’s lovely smile and relaxed way of being helped the audience hear the harsh truth of her past. The presentation was full of wisdom, kindness and courage. Poetry, reading and words, in general, have been her coping tools ever since she learned to read and write,

Sky read poems from her books, “A Root That Sews” and “Relationships Sink." As she read, Sky gave us some background and context for her raw and powerful writing. There was a deep sense of appreciation from the audience. There was one poem Sky read titled “The Good Parts,” a tribute to her father that she read at his funeral. It spoke of the love and the “sparkle” of joy he was in her life and the gratitude she felt for him for being in her life even when illness kept him from her. She credits him with her ability to attend UCLA on a scholarship.

Before starting to read poetry from her two books, Sky explained to the audience the tradition of snapping fingers instead of clapping to show appreciation. With a few slip-ups, we all did a lot  of finger snapping.

Initially a marriage and family counselor, she focused primarily on domestic violence and sexual abuse, but she treats a wide array of clients now. Because of her background, she has a deep understanding of the journey her patients are on. As Villager Lucy Weiss said to her during the Q&A portion of her presentation, “You are a gift to your clients.”

At some point in the Q&A portion, a man in the front row introduced himself as her English teacher at John Muir High School. Mr. Bynum said he saw a gift in her as soon as he met her at age 14. He said, “When I learned she would be speaking here today, there was no way I would miss it!

Pasadena Village partners with Journey House from time to time. It was through my volunteer work there that I met Sky. I saw a very special woman in her during the years she was earning her degrees.

Sky sold and signed many of her books prior to her presentation and even more afterwards. We were all inspired by her story.