About Nothing Trumps Hope (N.T. Hope)

The mission of N.T. Hope is to bring hope renewal and balance to individuals and organizations. Its programs and services are based on a deep understanding of energy medicine, psycho - social research and the arts. These programs and services actively engage children, teens and adults in their own healing, personal discovery and transformation.

N.T. Hope was created in 2009 by Paula Lalinde, Ph.D. Paula’s personal journey through grief to a joy-filled life has inspired the creation of Nothing Trumps Hope. Paula shares, “Hope was a huge part of getting me through difficult times. With my daughter’s birth with a severe disability, I hoped that she would have friends, a quality education, and a community that embraced her. She did. With my daughter’s death, I hoped that my family would be able to love life again. We do.

There were times when hope is all I felt I had. It is what has made everything else possible. There is nothing that trumps hope. N.T. Hope helps people learn how to turn their despair into hopes and their hopes into reality. I did it and I know that possibility is open to everyone.”

Being of service to others is nothing new for Paula. In 1986, two years after the birth of her daughter Alexandra, Paula formed Parent to Parent of Miami, a community-wide, non-profit organization that provides information, educational training, peer support and advocacy to families who have children and adults with disabilities and/ or special needs. Although the organization started with a group of mothers and fathers around Paula’s kitchen table, in fiscal year 2009-2010 its staff had over 7,100 contacts with families. Founder and President for 6 years, Paula remains involved as a honorary advisor. To learn more http://www.ptopmiami.org/

“Each time I enter their buzzing office I reflect back on how this all started. It started with a simple but profound wish - that other families would have it easier than we did. Many families are now much better off and that is a blessing.”

In 1992, her leadership and advocacy skills were recognized at the state level for successfully spearheading a parent advocacy movement. This movement was instrumental in passing the necessary legislation for Florida to benefit from over $20 million annually in federal funding for infants and toddlers with disabilities.

In 1994, the University of Miami, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Mailman Center for Child Development offered Paula a position in the training division. Several short years later, Paula became the director of training, responsible for the implementation of one of the largest interdisciplinary federally funded training programs in the country - for graduate interns from 8 different disciplines related to children with disabilities and their families. During those years, Paula attended Harvard University’s School of Government’s APLE leadership program. She returned and developed a parent leadership program (PLD) which empowered Miami parents to create systems change for children with disabilities in the community.

In 2006, Paula resigned her position to finish her Ph.D. in special education. She also felt something else was calling her, but it was not clear. “It was a huge decision to resign. My son had just started college and I still had many responsibilities. However, looking back there really was no other right decision. When you don’t respond to those inner callings, something inside of you dies and it is hard to retrieve it.”

In 2007, Paula experienced a spiritual awakening that led to her in-depth studies of metaphysics. “I had my family empowerment and rasch measurement dissertation materials in one pile and my life after death materials in another pile. I hoped that one day I would merge the two piles. I am.

In May 2008, Paula received her Ph.D. from the University of Miami. “Very shortly after I defended my dissertation, Michelle Obama - on the campaign trail - came to Miami. I posed a question to her after her presentation in a small law firm in downtown Miami. I started by saying, At the age of xx, I just defended my dissertation and I can say there is nothing that trumps hope. The phrase stuck with me and with Mrs. Obama I believe - as she later recognized me at gatherings. She also has a copy of my dissertation. I was sure she would want to read it - only the mind of a doctoral student could come up with that!”

In 2009, Paula having completed her Ph.D. Paula took a year to complete a certification program in energy medicine with the Four Winds Society and later an arts in medicine summer intensive at the University of Florida. “It is finally the time to begin! I am very excited. This is the perfect time!

At N.T. Hope, hope is the cornerstone of everything we do. For many who we work with, hope represents a miracle. We believe that everyone has an inner knowing - an inner knowing that we are deserving of miracles. The door into that inner knowing is always open, we just have to walk through it. N.T. Hope helps individuals walk through the door. Once you walk through, miracles exist.