5 Main Points of Forming Relationships with Those Who Appear Different or Far from Us

R. A. Naderman (Becky) studied at St. Ambrose University, graduating with a degree in occupational therapy and psychology. Her career as an occupational therapist has allowed her to encounter people from all walks of life. In 2016 she began to visit a prison close to her home and developed a friendship with Aaron, a man who had been convicted of a despicable crime and given a lengthy sentence, who maintains his innocence. While they each came from very different walks of life, Becky, a white middle-class working mom, and Aaron, a Black man in prison for most of his adult life, found they had much in common. In 2019 Becky completed writing and published Walk With Me, the story of the transformative power of friendship and answering the call to love your neighbor as yourself. Becky speaks sharing the story of her book and is a voice for justice rooted in the fact that we are more alike than we are different. . Becky shared her story and message at TEDx Des Moines in May of 2021. Becky resides in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband and three teenage daughters. To contact and connect with Becky, www.ranadermanwalkwithme.com , [email protected], and on Facebook at Walk With Me R.A. Naderman.