Renae speaks: Our Story
Joel - DAD & Husband
Joel -Owner of Waldorf Welding & Machine Shop, and Waldorf Custom Cycles. Avid Harley Davidson motorcyclist.
Committed husband of 20 years.
Fun loving father that will wrestle Ben and cuddle with Anna
Enjoys watching 'Friends' and 'Dirty Jobs', after a long day at work.
'Spam' is his favorite meal to make when he is in charge of supper.
Someday we would love to travel to the west coast on our motorcycles.
Often heard phrases from Joel...
• "You should be more careful!!"
• “Chop.. Chop.. we have lots to do!”
Renae Groskreutz
From her heart...
My name is Renae Groskreutz. I am married to Joel and a mother of four and a public speaker from south central Minnesota. I have been speaking across Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota for middle schools, high schools and organizations on Drinking & Driving and Shaken Baby Syndrome since 1999. I believe my family's journey and our personnel story will challenge, impact and motivate those who hear it. I share my personnel story with the desire and hope to make a difference in others lives. I hope you will give me the privilege to share with your students. This could very well be a life altering experience for someone in your audience. Allow me to brief you on my story. www.renaespeaks.org
I begin my presentation by talking about my high-school friend, "Scott" and how I wish I had been a better friend. Later in my talk, it becomes very clear why I mention him. I begin to talk about my family; Joel (my husband of 20 years), Emily & Amanda (our daughters) and Ben (our son). I share about Ben being a victim and survivor of Shaken Baby Syndrome in September 1998. I was investigated for child endangerment, and to protect Ben, he was placed in foster care for five days before being returned to us. His daycare provider, a very good friend of mine, was who had shaken Ben. I share about the aftermath of Ben’s injuries.
Our family’s story then continues to November 28, 1998 when an “Alcohol Impaired" driver hit Joel and Emily on their motorcycle. I was, in fact, following and was at the "Crash" site. The driver of the truck that hit Joel and Emily was "Scott"... Emily died instantly at the age of six and half. Joel received sever injuries to his left arm in addition to numerous other injuries. "Scott" was only charged with careless driving. His Blood Alcohol Content level was .05 2 1/2 hour after the crash.
I then share either a video called "Sin Video" or a Power Point about Emily and our family set to very emotional music.
My goal is to travel around the Midwest to:
• Encourage students to be a good friend... a truly good friend.
• Challenge them to make their lives count for something...to make a difference…
• To be a positive influence on their peers...
• To think and care and be brave, and strive for excellence instead of acceptance.
My closing challenge, is for the students to look that their own life. We each have the day we were born and some day our families will have the day we die. In-between those two dates is a DASH. The direction of our DASH is in our control. Looking at our DASH we can ask, ourselves, does it need improvement and how or what do we do to make that come about. Improvement that is what you can change. Your DASH will leave the biggest impact on the lives of your friends & family
In conclusion, I end with 3-5 minutes of questions and comments from the students.
I also email the schools an Impact Reaction Form for you to make copies of for your students to fill out. It has 3 simple questions.
1. What impact did Renae’s story have on you?
2. What impact will this have on you?
3. What can the schools do to help curb under age drinking?
I have found this to be helpful for you to see the reaction of your students and what they are thinking. The reaction forms are returned to me so I can communicate more directly & clearly to my future audience.
Thank you for your time.
Renae
Renae - MOM & Wife
Renae - Public Speaker, Asst. Director of Prairie River Camp (the Camp Lady) including: Chairperson of the Father/Daughter Purity Ball March 2009 Chairperson of the Fireproof Ball for Married Couples March 2010
I loves to entertain, have parties, and dream really BIG.
Her desk is very very MESSY!!..But I know where everything is and someday I will conquer it.
In the morning she enjoys a good cup of coffee made by Joel is a highlight!
Often heard phrases from Renae...
• "I love my husband Joel, and I look forward to growing old together."
• "I love my kids more than anyone else, EXCEPT for God!!!"
• "My desire is to step it up a 'NOTCH' in everything I do"
Amanda - Sister & Daugther
Amanda is 16... she has a RED sporty car, a Blue Harley -Davidson and is a junior in high school. She loves marching band and is the drum major she plays the clarinet. Amanda is involved with FFA (Future Farmers of America), Speech and is very active with Southern Minnesota TEC (Teens Encounter Christ). She is only one test away from being a Black Belt in TaeKonDo (Karate), at testing she loves breaking boards.
When asked her favorite color she responded: Red "is there any other color?" Amanda also she enjoys going clay pigeon shooting and has a gun of her own. She is a very hard worker and would like to be a teacher on the mission field.
Benjamin - Brother & Son
Benjamin is 12 years old and in 6th Grade.
Ben is kind, and very sensitive to the thoughts and feeling of others.
He loves to tell jokes and make people laugh and do imitations.
Being outside, jumping on the trampoline and riding his dirt bike are some of his favorite things to do.
This year he wants to play the tuba in the high school marching band and presently plays the harmonica, he has many harmonicas.
Ben is a red belt in TaeKonDo (Karate).
He is a movie buff and remembers the last word of every movie he has ever watched. In “Cars” movie it was “Oh Ya”
His Favorite meal: is soft shell cheese tacos.
On his wish list is a new pogo stick.
Anna - Sister & Daughter
Anna will be 7 years old October.
She is in 1st grade and thinks this is the best year because her teacher love art as much as she does.
She is strong willed and very organized.
She loves to color, draw people, trees, and rainbows.
Anna is learning to play the piano and just started TaeKonDo (Karate) which is really enjoying cause she has a belt just like her brother and sister.
Anna likes “bedtime chats” with Mom & Dad to just talk about her day.
Her favorite Bible story is Noah.
Someday she want to be a lifeguard and a teacher.