Biography

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Whimsy Joy^© By Roz

Biography

ROSALYN IS BORN …

Rosalyn Kramer Monat-Haller was born in Charleston, SC, USA on April 25^th 1945

which was Armistice Day in Europe. Her parents, Irma and Izzy Kramer, maintained

their own local Pharmacy, “Kramer’s Pharmacy” in Summerville, SC.

PARENTS WITH STRONG ETHICS PASS THEM ON TO THE FUTURE “WHIMSYJOY”.

Both parents strived to teach Rosalyn to contribute to this world, to be active in making

it a better place. Rosalyn always has been an independent, dynamic and creative child.

Many decades later, Mrs. Gert, now in her mid 80’s and still Rosalyn’s Nanny, described

Rosalyn as a child being “always on the run”.

During her childhood, Rosalyn contributed to the family business,

in order to relieve her parents from some of the “day-to-day” work. By walking

to the drugstore after school, she was able to be with her parents, as they worked.

Little by little, Rosalyn took on more difficult chores and learned strong work ethics.

“JOY BRINGING TIMES “…

Rosalyn talks of her childhood as one of “joy bringing time”. Her closeness to her

parents and their love for music sparked the young child’s interest to learn an

instrument which became a flute, saxophone and piano. Rosalyn says: “From

my parents , I learned the LOVE for creating music. “Angels are listening and playing

and reminding me that loving music is more important than being the best.”

With no demands put on her music practice, Rosalyn learned to play the flute and,

together with her father playing the Saxophone and her mother playing the piano,

she entertained family dinner events, many times. Later, she would learn the saxophone

from her father and attend the Summerville High School Dance Band. “These are

precious Memories !”

CHOOSING A CAREER COURSE & OFF TO BOSTON …

Rosalyn knew she wanted to become a “Speech Pathologist” and chose “Emerson

College” in Boston. Graduating with HONORS in only three years, she chose to

attend “Boston University” for her Master’s Degree.”

Graduating from Boston University was the beginning of her professional career.

Returning to SC, she became “Director, Speech And Hearing” at the “Coastal Center,

SC Department of Mental Retardation”.

ROSALYN MAKES THE DECISION TO CONTINUE LEARNING AND GROWING …

At the age of 22, Rosalyn already had the professional intuition to know she should

expand her knowledge and therapeutic skills to involve work in other helping

professional fields. Her departmental responsibilities had now increased to

“Director, Therapeutic Services”, as she developed a nationally recognized

“Sexuality Program”, and took over the supervision of art therapy, music therapy,

the chaplain, and Rosalyn, herself, was doing all of the crisis counseling.

A CALL FROM COLLEGE-HILL PRESS …

Dr. Singh, publisher, knew Rosalyn had become an expert nationally and

internationally by doing all day workshops on this difficult topic. He asked Rosalyn

to write a book and she wrote the book “Sexuality And The Mentally Retarded”, A

Clinical and Therapeutic Guidebook”. This professional book received national

acclaim, including a wonderful review from Dr.Virginia Satir.

PHIL DONEHUE INVITES ROSALYN TO BE THE “EXPERT” ON HIS SHOW …

Rosalyn accepted the invitation to be the ”expert” and went to New York. The subject

then was about Larry Drake, playing a man with “Mental Retardation”, who was

accused of raping a woman with “Mental Retardation”.

Later that year, the “Head Writer” of “L.A. Law” called Rosalyn for help with a

script.

In 1992 Rosalyn wrote a second book on sexuality and disability -- “Understanding

And Expressing Sexuality; Responsible Choices For Individuals with Developmental

Disabilities.”

ROSALYN EXPERIENCES THE HEALING POWER OF ANIMALS. …

Over the years, Rosalyn found that pet animals could be very helpful in the aid of Therapeutic

success. She started off with a “Maltese Dog”, called “Magic”. He became her constant

companion and partner. Currently she works with Nuggett, an almost 17 year old “pound puppy”

and “Mr. Huggles “, an almost 17 year old cream cameo Persian, who gives great four footed

massages and is credited with discovering two cancers. The animal family also includes two

special parrots who entertain with their talking and funny antics. Tova, the African Grey, and

Chico, the red Lorikeat, who visit each others’ cages and toys. Best of all, when Rosalyn says

“Nighty Night, Sleep Tight”, Tova and Chico go to the right cages, so that Rosalyn can close

down the cottage for the evening. Children find this amusing.

ROSALYN WORKS WITH THE KENNEDY CENTER IN D.C. TO BRING “VERY SPECIAL ARTS” TO SC…

Under Rosalyn’s direction, grants from the Kennedy Center were made available to

conduct Art-Festivals for up to 5,000 individuals with disabilities in multiple locations in SC.

Rosalyn directed the “Very Special Arts-SC” until she reached the age of 47. At this time, Rosalyn

retired from the state, in favor of becoming a full time counselor. By this time, Rosalyn had

expanded her credentials by becoming a certified “Sex Educator and Sex Counselor” with

the “American Association Of Sex Educators, Counselors And Therapists”. Furthermore, she

was licensed by the State of SC as a “Professional Counselor” and as an “Independent

Social Worker – CP”, allowing her to maintain a private practice in Psychotherapy.

When Rosalyn talks to audiences, she promotes“ that we can learn something new from

everyone we meet”. Rosalyn talks of “Creative Energy” being the core of staying alert,

interesting and productive. She has always followed these “guidelines”. Even now,

when 65 years old, she still mentors others, as others have mentored her.

WHIMSYJOY COMES OF AGE …

Especially over the past few years, Rosalyn has been strongly influenced by people she

knew very closely. They mentored, encouraged and guided her to a new and unique

style which she calls “Whimsy Joy”.

Rosalyn’s “Whimsy Joy”-Art embraces her many years of wonderful experiences

growing and developing professionally. Rosalyn found that color was healing.

The warm and inviting colors, paired with whimsical imagination

create playful art which entices creativity & happiness in children of all ages.

Rosalyn uses this art in Therapeutic Sessions. Other use it as fine decoration at home or

at work. Rosalyn has found that her clients begin to experience “joy bringing time” for

themselves.

ROSALYN HOPES YOU ALLOW WHIMSYJOY TO ENCOURAGE YOU …

“Use your positive energy to reach out and touch and find your personal rainbow,

making this a better world for all of us. Bring joy to all who will inherit it, when we leave ...

Be proud of your work and keep learning & sharing. This is the best way to find creativity

in work and to feel good about what you have to offer. It is our world. Let us all reach

out with love and caring and make it a better place.”

AN INVITATION TO EACH OF YOU …

Now, “Whimsy Joy” invites you to become part of the “Whimsy Joy Family”. Please send your

personal thoughts, feelings and experiences about “Whimsy Joy” and Rosalyn will read and

respond to you.

Check back on “Whimsy Joy’s” Website and you might see your words in Print.

Rosalyn would like to thank you ahead of time, for becoming part of the “Whimsy Joy Family”,

always remembering that

“ IF YOU LIVE IN YOUR HEART, MAGIC HAPPENS!”

With Smiles and Hugs,

Rosalyn.

Special Thanks:

… “I would like to address my appreciation to all these wonderful people who have helped

me on my “journey of life”:

First of all, my dear parents, who filled my heart with hugs and adored me, as I did them!

Virginia Satir, one of the “Founders of “Family Therapy” for affirming my skills and

challenging me to keep reaching for the stars AND TO REMEMBER “TO THINK OF

ALL THE POSSIBILITIES”...

Dr. Erbert Cicenia, “Director Of The Coastal Center”

… for giving me the wings to fly.

Mriana Roberts, “Social Worker And Artist”
… for encouraging me to become a unique Artist.

Dr. Richard (Duke) Hagerty, “Plastic Surgeon”
… for being a role model and supporter of my creativity that has become “WHIMSYJOY-ART”.

Dr. Hagerty’s encouragement is EVER PRESENT.

Pat Krisel, owner of PHOTOGRAPHIX

… for "LOVING MY WHIMSIES'' & Making Them Come To Life .

Rogier Cuylits,

… for Enduring my "65 year old" computer skills, for the Immeasurable number of Hours

He Devoted to Give my Whimsies such a Very Special Home.