Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheila Bratton.
Hi Sheila, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story begins in the Midwest. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. My parents cultivated my passions for reading, helping others, traveling, and cooking. After I graduated from high school I pursued and obtained my bachelor degree in Political Science. Next, I obtained a master degree in Criminology.
I was hired as a Youth Specialist for the State of Missouri. In this role I supervised male juveniles in a secured cottage environment. Six months later I was hired as a Probation and Parole Officer for the State of Missouri. For more than nine years I supervised adults in community supervision who pled guilty or who were found guilty of various crimes. Not only was I responsible for enforcing the conditions of supervision but I also assisted clients with any needs.
Eventually, I obtained a position as a part-time adjunct faculty at a local college. I taught various criminal justice courses. This position provided me an opportunity to teach future criminal justice professionals while I continued to work in the field. I continued to teach criminal justice courses at two other universities before retiring from higher education.
While I was in graduate school I became a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters in St. Louis. I was affectionately matched with my little sister for more than nine years. I enjoyed mentoring my little sister through various activities and outings. This mentoring experience opened my heart to parenthood as a single person. While employed part-time I met my daughter at residential facility for children who were in the legal and physical custody of the state of Missouri. I believed God led me to specifically adopt this teenage girl. Most people prefer to adopt babies or younger children. But older children need and desire loving homes as well. The adoption was finalized in July of 2003.
I decided to leave my position as a probation and parole officer to become a case manager in foster care and adoption. After one year in this role I decided to return to working with justice involved citizens. I was employed at various nonprofit agencies working with justice involved citizens in prisons, jails and in addiction programs.
In 2013 I accepted the call to ministry. I served in various positions in the church. I am most proud of teaching a class I originally created for justice involved citizens. Since I was teaching it at church I was able to add scriptures from the bible. In 2016 I decided to turn this curriculum into a book. It was at this time I began researching the best method for publishing my book.
In the meantime, I decided to move to Dallas, Texas in 2019. In addition to changing geographical locations I changed careers. After working in human services for over two decades I explored a different vocation. I began working in healthcare management. Finally, I moved to Houston, Texas in 2023 to be closer to paternal relatives.
Even though I changed vocations my passion for teaching and serving people was not quenched. As a Houstonian I published two journals. The first journal is a thirty day guided journal titled “Prayer Thrive Goals Growth: Wellness Journal. The second journal is a ninety day guided journal titled “Soul Care and Wellness Journal”. Most recently, I published my first book titled “Broken For The Battle: A Soul Care Workbook”. This book guides the reader on a faith-based healing journey with a trauma-informed approach.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As you can imagine adopting a teenager can be challenging. I assumed it would be an easy transition due to previous job roles and mentorship through Big Brothers Big Sisters. The transition was very challenging. I prayed many nights because there were some difficult moments. I remember I had postponed the original date for the adoption. God gave me strength and wisdom to endure the challenging days. I am happy to report we successfully overcame the teen years. I love her and I am very proud of the woman she is today. She is an excellent nurturer and provider for my granddaughter. They are my legacy!
One obstacle I faced as an author was self-doubt. It had taken ten years to published my first book. I questioned whether anyone would understand the main premise of the book. Also, I was afraid no one would want to read my book. I refused to allow self-doubt and fear to deter me.
Another obstacle I faced as an independent author was finding someone to guide me through the process. I preferred to be an independent author because I wanted to maintain creative freedom in every phase of publishing and to retain all of my royalties. Therefore, I hired a publisher to assist me with self-publishing. By the time I completed my manuscript the first person I hired to assist me had a major life crisis. She was unable to fulfill her duties. Locating resources and assistance was extremely challenging and expensive. I hired a second publisher to assist me. The second publisher was a scammer. She stole my money and failed to assist me with publishing my book. Her fraudulent behavior deflated my confidence. However, I have a supportive inner circle of friends who encouraged me to complete the book. I found a third publisher who successfully assisted me to become a published independent author.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I work in healthcare management as a team lead in the behavioral health department of a large corporation. I have been employed with this company for seven years. We process medical reviews for members receiving treatment services for substance use, mental health and eating disorders. I am most proud of assisting our members with obtaining additional treatment and services required for their healing, for their recovery and for a better quality of life. Even though I am not directly engaged in the daily lives of our members I enjoy being a liaison and coordinating services.
As a new author I am proud of my endurance to finish strong especially when the situation seemed hopeless. This journey as an author has helped me develop patience, longsuffering and dependence on God. He has allowed me to use my professional experience, gift of teaching, compassion for others, and acts of service as a minister to reach, rescue and restore others. In the future I plan to publish additional books and to establish a life coaching business.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
It is difficult to select one favorite childhood memory. I have several favorite memories from my childhood regarding school, family, and friends. Several of my favorite memories have become adult hobbies. One of my favorite memories of my mother is cooking with her. In addition, I loved when she read me bedtime stories and when we traveled domestically. Currently, I am an avid reader, a good cook and a traveler.
My favorite memories of my father are fishing, building a snowman and learning how to ride my bike. In addition, I remember my father would work out by running in our neighborhood. In 2018 I started running in memory of my father. Running and runner’s high became addictive. I have completed several races including a half marathon. More importantly, I had the opportunity to meet Kathrine Switzer at a 10K in Niagara Falls, Canada. She was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon.
Several of my childhood memories have groomed me to become the person I am today. I love new adventures, a good book and cooking for family and for friends. In the near future I hope to complete my first full marathon.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheilabutterfly43/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheilaLBratton/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/AuthorSheilaB
