Episodes
Friday Jun 10, 2022
Mercy for an Overwhelmed Caregiver
Friday Jun 10, 2022
Friday Jun 10, 2022
In Uvalde, the shooter’s grandmother faced the rage of a troubled grandson and, according to multiple reports, a daughter with a history of drug use. At least one incident required law enforcement to the home of the shooter’s mother – and neighbors and relatives knew of the turbulent relationship between son and mother. Mental issues and drug abuse create a toxic brew of chronic impairments that will not resolve independently. Those challenges hopelessly outmatch even the best of grandmothers.
In the case of Nicolas Cruz, who killed students at Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, law enforcement made 39 visits to the gunman’s home – most of the calls seemingly from his mother. A few months following his mother’s death, Nicolas Cruz massacred 17 people.
Sometimes, a family caregiver is the last line of defense between a killer and society.
A caller to my show for family caregivers discussed her mother’s increasing dementia. As the story unfolded, she related how her drug-addicted brother habitually stole from her mother and acted abusively towards her. The caller then shared that her brother, although a felon, kept a firearm under his bed and that she regularly feared for her safety. Asking why she didn’t call the police about her dangerous brother, she finally broke down and sobbed on the air. Through tears, she shared that her brother threatened that if she called the police, he would expose moral issues she had before becoming a Christian.
Her embarrassment and shame compromised her safety from an armed and unstable brother. Gently explaining to her the nature of Christ, who forgives, redeems, and never blackmails, I encouraged her to protect herself and her mother by calling the authorities – that day.
A year later, she phoned the program and sounded like a different person. After calling the police, her brother was arrested and entered a treatment plan. With exuberance in her voice, she shared that she and her brother have started the path of reconciliation. While her story took a better turn, many caregivers living close to an armed and disturbed individual suffer tragic outcomes – like what happened in Uvalde.
Despite the best political minds and arguments, the human heart remains outside the jurisdiction of any legislation. The Ten Commandments contain no ambiguity and came directly from God, yet politicians today think their laws will triumph where God’s did not.
Friday May 13, 2022
The Trauma of Veterans, Active Duty, And First Responders
Friday May 13, 2022
Friday May 13, 2022
In my recent interview with Mighty Oaks Foundation's Jeremy Stalnecker, we discussed ways the organization is addressing the intense needs of those who wore - and wear - the uniform. https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org/
"The Mighty Oaks Foundation is committed to serving the brokenhearted by providing intensive peer-based discipleship through a series of programs, outpost meetings, and speaking events. Our Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs hosts such Men, Women, and Marriage Advance Programs at multiple locations nationwide. The Warriors who attend are fully sponsored for training, meals, and lodging needs to ensure that upon arrival to the ranch, each Warrior is focused solely on his or her recovery and identifying purpose moving forward."
Wednesday May 04, 2022
Helping Struggling Soldiers and First Responders
Wednesday May 04, 2022
Wednesday May 04, 2022
Jeremy Stalnecker of The Mighty Oaks Foundation shared the organization's work with active duty, veterans, wounded warriors, and first responders who struggle with trauma, addiction, PTSD, and other issues.
Monday Mar 14, 2022
The Problem of Pain
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Chronic Pain.
The struggle to care for someone with chronic pain causes extensive challenges for family caregivers.
Dr. Roland Flores called the show today to discuss this topic, as well as acute pain, opioids, benzodiazepines - and what he'd like for family caregivers to know.
Roland Flores, MD, Anesthesiology, Associate Professor, University of Colorado, School of Medicine
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Friday Nov 12, 2021
Her Happiness is Not Your Responsibility
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Friday Nov 12, 2021
"My 93-year-old mother doesn’t suffer from dementia but is so mean to me. How do I make her happy while caring for her? I’ve been sober for 6 years, and she makes me want to start drinking again."
Terri in Texas called the radio program with an all too common problem: "How do I make her happy?"
Answering Terri on the air, I shared that, "Your responsibility is not to make your mother happy, but to work your sobriety program. Your mother can get happy in the same shoes she gets mad in! Your responsibility is to call your sponsor and continue staying sober. If you lose your sobriety, your mother gets a drunk caregiver and that will make all of it worse. Call your sponsor and go to a meeting."
"Strength of mind rests in sobriety; for this keeps your reason unclouded by passion.." - Pythagoras
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Thursday Nov 11, 2021
Patriots Standing In the Gap
Thursday Nov 11, 2021
Thursday Nov 11, 2021
A recent caller to my radios program shared her journey as a caregiver. Combat-related PTSD led her military son down some dark paths—including drugs and alcohol, and his family disintegrated. This grandmother found herself with an impaired son and vulnerable grandchildren. When considering the word “caregiver,” most think of caring for the elderly. Yet many kinds of caregivers exist—and each of them bears their own sadness and difficulties. It is often stated that soldiers leave a part of themselves on the battlefield. Sometimes, caregivers work to compensate for those missing pieces as they care for the seen and unseen wounds of injured servicemen and women. While our military is composed of those who volunteer to don the uniform, an additional and less visible army of volunteers exists. Those volunteers are family caregivers who stand in the gap for wounded warriors—and often their families. Their acts of devotion not only serve their loved ones but also honor this great nation.
There is much more to being a patriot and citizen than reciting the pledge or raising a flag. – Jesse Ventura
Friday Nov 05, 2021
Impact of Opioids on Family Caregivers
Friday Nov 05, 2021
Friday Nov 05, 2021
When a loved one takes opioids - even when prescribed and as ordered - what is the impact on the family caregiver?
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