Episodes
Tuesday May 17, 2022
They Raised Two Children With Huntington’s Disease
Tuesday May 17, 2022
Tuesday May 17, 2022
May Is HD Awareness month, and our guests for this episode were Drs. Elton and Laquita Higgs. The couple adopted a little girl many years ago - who developed Huntington's Disease (HD). One of the most horrific diseases on the planet, HD eventually cost their daughter her life - but not before she had a daughter who also developed the genetic (and terminal) illness.
Listen to their inspiring and insightful story - from their book, SHATTERED DREAMS - BUT HOPE: Encouragement for Caregivers of Huntington’s Disease and Other Progressive Illnesses
For more information on HD, please visit HDSA.org (The Huntington’s Disease Society of America)
Monday May 09, 2022
Fret Not
Monday May 09, 2022
Monday May 09, 2022
Fretting Is Exhausting
My high school chemistry teacher’s name was, no kidding, Mr. Faile. While a hilarious and exceptional teacher, he made the dreaded (for some) class even more daunting by posting a sign over the chalkboard that read, “Flunk Now and Avoid The Rush.”
For those born after 1980, a chalkboard was an ancient education device that doubled as a screeching torture machine.
That sign still sticks with me, and I’ve appropriated the message into other areas of my life – particularly as a caregiver. Accepting reality and not delaying the inevitable becomes a path of wisdom rather than a depressing conclusion. As caregivers, we place unreasonable demands on ourselves to achieve or alter things we cannot change.
Despite extensive striving and colossal anxiety, caregivers will inevitably “flunk” at changing most of what we worry about. Embracing that premise allows greater peace of mind today.
I passed high school chemistry (barely), but Mr. Faile’s most important lesson to me had nothing to do with formulas and equations. A simple sign meant in jest communicated a greater truth that still helps bleed off stress – a lifetime later.
Rest now and avoid the crash. We face challenges better when not exhausted by fretting.
“The pitcher has got only a ball. I've got a bat. So the percentage in weapons is in my favor and I let the fellow with the ball do the fretting.” – Hank Aaron
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Sunday Apr 10, 2022
Caregivers and Rest - Is it Possible?
Sunday Apr 10, 2022
Sunday Apr 10, 2022
As a caregiver, what does rest look like to you?
Admittedly, this is a challenge for me - and has been for the entire 35+ years I've been a caregiver. From our nationally syndicated broadcast on 4/9/2022, I shared that struggle and what I've learned through this journey.
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
What Anchors Your?
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
As a caregiver, do you ever feel disoriented? Of course you do - we all do! We're going to lose our way. But can we get back on track? Can we anchor ourselves against the storms that assail us?
There's a great hymn that speaks to this. I feature that hymn in the B Block of this episode - when I stepped over to the "Caregiver KeyBoard."
I discussed this on our April 2, 2022 broadcast.
Saturday Mar 26, 2022
Caregivers and Borrowed Courage
Saturday Mar 26, 2022
Saturday Mar 26, 2022
In the FOG of caregivers, (fear, obligation, and guilt), many find themselves frozen in fear - and let's face it, there remain plenty of fear-worthy things in the caregiving journey.
How do we face those things?
For me, I look to those who faced fear and borrow their courage. Who's courage do you borrow?
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Thursday Feb 24, 2022
How Do You Work Out The Angst?
Thursday Feb 24, 2022
Thursday Feb 24, 2022
The stress and heartache has GOT to go someplace - how do you process it out as a caregiver?
From our broadcast 2/19/2022. Plus a song from Gracie.
Friday Jan 28, 2022
There Is A Redeemer
Friday Jan 28, 2022
Friday Jan 28, 2022
On our 1/22 broadcast, we discussed this hymn by Melody Green and what it means to us as family caregivers.