My Story, My Journey
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Philanthropist/Masseuse/Orator
Valerie Kelso, a native of England, grew up in a large family with four brothers and eight sisters. She is a proud mother of Rachael and two granddaughters, Taisha and Teoni. With years of experience as a licensed Medical Massage Practitioner and instructor, Valerie is the founder and CEO of PLT Massage and Wellness, Purple Light Touch Foundation, and the Don’t Believe the Hype Show Life.
Driven by her selflessness and unconditional love for others, Valerie is a dedicated philanthropist who takes pride in providing high-quality massages that heal people physically, emotionally, and mentally. Her reputation for having "healing hands" quickly spread, and her clientele grew substantially during her early years in the massage industry. |
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In December 2015, Valerie founded Purple Light Touch Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that exclusively serves women and young girls who have experienced life-altering events, such as domestic violence, cancer, bullying, sex trafficking, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other traumatic situations. Purple Light Touch provides free therapeutic massages, along with various services and resources including self-help, computer skills, sewing classes, T-shirt making, mentoring, empowerment, and prayer sessions. The foundation's goal is to meet the healing needs of all the women and young girls who seek their assistance.
Why She Does What She Does
Valerie's own experiences with domestic violence motivated her to help others. She became pregnant at a young age and suffered continued abuse, resulting in the loss of her second child in her seventh month of pregnancy. Tired of the scars and pain, she attempted suicide, but then she realized that her suffering could help others heal.
As an adult, she was prescribed multiple pain medications and required special accommodations due to her chronic pain. However, after discovering the benefits of therapeutic massage, she no longer needed medication and her chronic back pain disappeared. As a massage therapist, she found that many clients would confide in her and share their emotional burdens, which could be released through massage therapy.
Valerie knew that she could use her experience and knowledge to help other women and girls who had suffered like she had, and this led to the creation of Purple Light Touch Foundation.
As an adult, she was prescribed multiple pain medications and required special accommodations due to her chronic pain. However, after discovering the benefits of therapeutic massage, she no longer needed medication and her chronic back pain disappeared. As a massage therapist, she found that many clients would confide in her and share their emotional burdens, which could be released through massage therapy.
Valerie knew that she could use her experience and knowledge to help other women and girls who had suffered like she had, and this led to the creation of Purple Light Touch Foundation.
Achievements and Certifications
Valerie Kelso is a highly skilled and certified massage practitioner with expertise in various areas such as Oncology Massage, Geriatric Massage, Prenatal and Infant Massage, Lymphatic Massage, and Reflexology. She has completed numerous courses on massage theory for Sports Injuries, Human Trafficking, PTSD, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Public Speaking. Valerie is also a certified Professional Medical Massage Practitioner, Licensed Massage Instructor, and Certified in Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
In addition to her expertise in massage therapy, Valerie is a professional speaker, social philanthropist, community mentor, and writer. She has a passion for creating a positive platform for authors, activists, and advocates. Valerie's work also extends to at-risk youth and adults who have experienced trauma. Her goal is to help them realize that trauma doesn't have to shape their future and that the power to shape their future belongs to those who believe in their dreams.
Valerie is also an accomplished author with two books already published, "Don't Believe the Hype: You are Powerful," and "No More Closed Doors: The Power is In Your Hands." She is currently working on her third book, "You Have a Voice, Use It."
In addition to her expertise in massage therapy, Valerie is a professional speaker, social philanthropist, community mentor, and writer. She has a passion for creating a positive platform for authors, activists, and advocates. Valerie's work also extends to at-risk youth and adults who have experienced trauma. Her goal is to help them realize that trauma doesn't have to shape their future and that the power to shape their future belongs to those who believe in their dreams.
Valerie is also an accomplished author with two books already published, "Don't Believe the Hype: You are Powerful," and "No More Closed Doors: The Power is In Your Hands." She is currently working on her third book, "You Have a Voice, Use It."
