Hope for the Caregiver

Joni Eareckson Tada and Gracie Rosenberger discuss Senate Bill 693

Joni Eareckson Tada called the show to discuss Senate Bill 693 and its implications on the disabled and elderly.  Gracie joined Joni for this interview and the two women shared their powerful testimonies of facing a combined 85+years of suffering and severe disabilities.  They both struggled with wanting to end their lives when originally facing a lifetime of challenges.  Intercepting those horrific feelings and difficulties, key friends and family spoke life to both young women (they were both 17-years-old when they had their accidents. ). 

Joni expressed concern when she stated, “Our problem (Gracie’s and Joni’s) was not that our injuries were life-threatening.  Our problem was depression.  Discouragement."

Gracie asked of this bill and those who would implement it, “Are you going to provide them hope—or are you going to provide them drugs to slowly, stealthily euthanize them?”

Adding further, Joni stated, “The new language in this bill does not require hospice patients to be terminally ill to receive life-ending drugs—lethal doses of medication.  And that is entirely new for our country.  All of the rest of the physician assisted suicide bills across the United States require a person to be terminally ill.  But here, in Senate bill 693, you don’t have to be terminally ill to receive a lethal dose of medication.  You can just be disabled. You just be too old.  You could be just too depressed. And this is what alarms those of us who work against elder abuse and [work in] disability advocacy. We want to clear up that language. We want to make certain this bill does not pass.  Let’s get rid of the fraud and waste and abuse in the Medicare system and in the federal hospice program before we pour, ‘…good money after bad.’”

To contact Senators about this bill, click here to see the committee members.

https://www.help.senate.gov/about/members 

 

 

 ________________________________________________________________

Peter Rosenberger hosts a radio program for family caregivers broadcast weekly from Nashville, Tennessee, on more than 200 stations. He has served as a caregiver for his wife Gracie, who has lived with severe disabilities for more than 30 years. His new book is “7 Caregiver Landmines and How You Can Avoid Them.” Follow @hope4caregiver.

A Doctor Said These Horrific Words to the Young Couple With A Special Needs Child

"Take IT home and just love it."

When their son, Jonah, was born with severe disabilities in the 1970's, a physician said these horrific words to Rob and Merrill Galbraith. Stunned, enraged, heartbroken, and desperately alone, they struggled along the path of isolation so familiar to caregivers. 

Rob, a veteran Nashville producer, songwriter, and player (Ronnie Milsap, Kenny Rogers, The Bacon Brothers to name a few) returned to the show to share insights he learned from a tough journey that spanned 34 years until their son's death. 

Also returning to the show was Greg Tornquist and his son, Aaron (40). Aaron lives with Down's syndrome, and Greg and Aaron helped us bring attention to October's Down's Syndrome Awareness Month, as well as insights Greg learned from his 40 years as a caregiver for a special needs child.

Aaron is an ETA - and Elvis Tribute Artist, and he rocked the 1956 Elvis with this attire! 

Friends for more than thirty years, we sat around the desk and swapped stories and poignant moments from our combined 100+ years of caregiving.  We also shared a few laughs that come freely now with perspective.

 

 Author, speaker, and 30+year caregiver, Peter Rosenberger, hosts HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER heard weekly on more than 200 stations. 

Sponsored by Standing With Hope

 

 

Hope for the Caregiver September 29 2018

From 9-29-2018. 

We opened the discussion to talk about feeling obligated and guilty when dealing with someone with an impairment.  When I stated, "'Honor your father and mother...' doesn't mean honoring Alzheimer's or any other impairment," it really struck a nerve.  

Listen to the callers ...and see how we helped them move to a safer place and become healthier caregivers. 

For Books/Music Click here

Hope for the Caregiver : 07-22-2018

From Sunday, July 22 2018, HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER is the weekly radio program hosted by author, speaker, and 30+year caregiver, Peter Rosenberger

www.hopeforthecaregiver.com

Sponsored by Standing With Hope

Hope for the Caregiver July 15 2018

Peter Rosenberger is a thirty-year caregiver for his wife Gracie, who lives with severe physical disabilities. He is the author of Hope for the Caregiver and his radio show for family caregivers  is syndicated on more than 200 stations across the country.   @hope4caregiver

 

Hope for the Caregiver July 14 2018

Peter Rosenberger is a thirty-year caregiver for his wife Gracie, who lives with severe physical disabilities. He is the author of Hope for the Caregiver and his radio show for family caregivers  is syndicated on more than 200 stations across the country.   @hope4caregiver

Hope for the Caregiver July 1, 2018

Peter Rosenberger's nationally syndicated radio program for family caregivers.

Peter Rosenberger is a thirty-year caregiver for his wife Gracie, who lives with severe physical disabilities. He is the author of Hope for the Caregiver and his radio show for family caregivers is syndicated on more than 200 stations across the country. www.standingwithhope.com