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Harriet Tramer's New Book Growing Up As She Grows Old Family care giving is almost by its very nature stressful; no tidbit of advice you might receive can magically turn it into a relaxing experience. But having some essential information can help you to support your elder while you simultaneously tend to your own needs. And that is exactly what this book is designed to provide. |
with Host Harriet Tramer First & Third Wednesdays 8pm Eastern Time Listen LIVE in 3 Different Formats
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Host Harriet Tramer has long worked as both a journalist and as a college instructor, two professions she believes have much in common because they both demand good communication skills, not to mention patience and understanding. Most recently, she has taken her journalist ventures on line, having her own blog http://www.agingwithoutwrinkles.com - which interprets “aging” from the broadest perspective possible. We are all aging from the day we are born. She has also written Rounding the Circle of Love: Growing Up As She Grows Old – which focuses upon care giving for the elderly. |
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Jason M. Joyce, M.Ed., LPCC-S, LICDC-CS The Ohio-based Hitchcock Center for Women is distinct from other similar facilities in one important way. It allows children up to 12 years old to remain with their mothers while these women are receiving residential treatment for addictions. It makes these accommodations available because of a deeply-held belief that women who are in recovery should not have to choose between getting the help they need and caring for their children. It also takes this step because it maintains that it has the major adage of allowing families to avoid the separations that could leave children with a sense of abandonment. Jason Joyce is the CEO and President of the center. He has previously served in leadership capacities within several Ohio-based mental health and addiction recovery services. The center's address is http://www.hcfw.org |
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Carol Leslie
A jazz singer, Carol Leslie has made a name for herself locally as she has
performed with an impressive array of bands and venues in her adopted home
town of Cleveland Ohio. But her resume goes far beyond these adventures.
It includes some exotic stop offs as she made her way across the Atlantic
from Scotland to her present home. Among other things, she had the
opportunity to record radio jingles while she relaxed amongst the palm
trees, sun, and pink sand that make Bermuda an island paradise. In
addition to getting great satisfaction from her work as a jazz singer,
Carol was long challenged by her day job as an occupational therapist,
helping clients navigate their lives more effortlessly. And most recently,
she has worked as a hypnotherapist, guiding people towards becoming less
burdened by anxieties and stressors. |
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Dr. Thelma Reese |
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Jessica
Pinsky The
Ohio-based Praxis Fiber Workshop does not give itself
undue amounts of credit. But as it works to promote fiber
arts, it hopes that in its own way it can in its own small way
help to weave together our country which has become very
fractured. Or, at least it can provide a setting for people
who working in that direction while they practice their craft.
A huge space, the studio features 27 floor looms, 3 large
print tables, a full dye lab, granting people who are already
proficient at the fiber arts an opportunity to produce their
art work. And it also has workshops for people who want to be
introduced to looms and all the intricacies that surround them
at their own pace. Jessica Pinsky, who now serves as
that fiber workshop's executive director, helped to form
Praxis Fiber Workshop in 2012. Her artwork includes bridges,
painting, weaving and sculpture. Praxis web site is
http://www.praxisfiberworkshop.org |
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Pegi Robinson
An Ohio native, Pegi Robinson has won recognition for her work
raising awareness about near death experiences whereby
somebody ventures out of their physical body but returns to
this earthly plane. Her interviews with experiencers have been
viewed by thousands on NDETV . But it is what she
has done quietly in the privacy of her home that might be her
most noteworthy accomplishment. She has fostered 60 children,
many of them with special needs, nurturing them as they grow
from their being toddlers to be adults. Her efforts bring to
mind many intriguing questions for which she has replies that
are warrant your attention. What can be done to
encourage more people to become foster parents? What
governmental or other support can you get as a foster parent?
What hints would you have for other people who are considering
becoming foster parents? |
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Michael Ungar Many people's bodies seem to love adding on the pounds while being resistant to giving up this extra weight. And for some individuals this vicious circle only seems to grow more vicious as they age. An exercise regime might be able to help people who have fallen into this all too common trap. But they might be reluctant to head down that route, particularly if physical activity has never been a part of their lives and can bring back hurtful memories of having been chosen last for sports teams. That is where the support that Michael Ungar offers might prove essential. Working with clients in their homes or virtually, he helps them prevent falls by improving their balance and strengthening their muscles. He is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified Personal Trainer. He is a trainer with at Home Senior Fitness. Its web site is http://athomeseniorfitness.net |
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Barbara Speicher After Barbara Speicher earned a Bachelor's Degree in English and a Master's Degree in Education, she taught elementary school for 23 years. As her career progressed, the found that writing curriculum-based songs was a memorable, novel, fun, and easy way for the students to learn important facts and information in a number of subjects. Being concerned that young people are becoming less and less knowledgeable about our heritage, she created two CD's with companion workbooks: Learning American History by Song and Learning About Patriotic Holidays and Symbols by Song. She markets her music through an educational site, Songs for Teaching, and her personal website: http://www.barbaraspeicher.com |
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July 15, 2024 Show Jonathan Sprout Singer-songwriter and recording artist, Jonathan Sprout has dedicated the past 30 years of his life to creating meaningful and captivating "hero music" for children. His journey began during 1994 after he read the results of a nationwide poll which concluded that children's top 10 heroes included cartoon characters and professional athletes whose off-field antics were anything but heroic. Since that point, Sprout has written over forty songs and has released four American Heroes albums designed to acquaint children with remarkable men and women he whom he believes deserve to labeled "heroes." These individuals include a wide range of personages from Pochontas to Neil Armstrong. His American Heroes #3 album was nominated for a Grammy® during 2010. He has also performed more than 5,500 concerts and led more than 800 songwriting workshops for children. His web site is http://www.jonsprout.com His compositions are also available through http://www.songsforteaching.com |
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Tak & Mely Sato |
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Anthony Nunez
is the CEO of INF Care where they have created the future of healthcare at home for older adults. Their systems helps the caregiver do their job better by using Ai and data to make home care more personalized, proactive and more affordable. Prior to the pandemic, he founded INF Robotics, which developed an autonomous robot called RUDY, to help older adults stay in their home longer. He volunteers his extra time as a Commissioner on Aging in Arlington where is the Legislative Committee chair, advocating for laws that support older adults. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Arlington Neighborhood Village. His passion is helping older adults remain independent.
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Marie Elium Dating in your 20s or your 30s can be an emotional roller coaster. So, it is hardly surprising that it has become the topic of, among other things, innumerable dramas, songs, hit television shows and films. But all of the attention that has been paid to younger dating partners is definitely overlooking one thing. Financial and health considerations, not to mention scars from pervious relationships, can make it quite challenging to form strong relationships after you have passed milestone birthdays. And that is why Marie Elium, editor of Northeast Ohio Boomer Magazine, suggests that people take a slow and patient approach to this challenge. In making that point, she quotes Natalia Pajestka, a matchmaker with It's Just Lunch who stresses the need to remain in the present instead of overwhelming your date with details about your past. The web site for Northeast Ohio Boomer is http://www.northeastohioboomer.com |
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Jerry Devis |
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Barbara Becker Holstein
maintains that people of all ages, particularly
women, are often so dragged down by the negativism which surrounds
them that they become unable to reach their fullest potential. But a
practitioner of what she labels "positive psychology" Barbara
maintains that this negativism can be overcome by following a daily
regime that begins with a blessing, such as this simple verse which
reads in part: "You can work your way towards becoming what she terms
your enchanted self. "As you clear off the ice, and watch your step
may your dreams of delight be forming, so that as soon as the sun
shines bright you will be ready and able for the wonderful treats in
storage for you!" Barbara, a New Jersey-based psychologist, has
written books and created podcasts that detail elements of the
positive psychology that she espouses. Her web site is
https://www.enchantedself.com |
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Elena LaVictoire |
Betinna Dickson Rusher
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Troy Duell
You might feel that you are not harming yourself in any discernible
way when you add a few cups of sugar to the coffee you enjoy every
morning. And you might also think the grab-and-go breakfast bar you
gulp down as you rush out the door to work is also essentially
harmless. |
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Udo Erasmus has been known to say that he was born in hell - in Europe during World War II – and then proceeded to travel a long and crooked path that eventually led him to heaven. And by his own accounting, he was assisted as he travelled down that road by friends he met personally as well as by those he never encountered face to face. But he often suffered from a lack of self-discipline until he was poisoned by pesticides during 1980 and began devoting himself to improving his health and helping others to improve theirs. Accordingly, he spent countless hours developing an oil blend that is both better balanced and more effective than flax oil. And he later followed that discovery with probiotics blends and digestive enzyme blends. The web site for the Vancouver, British Columbia company he established, Urdo's Choice, is https://www.udoschoice.com/ |
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Claire White
The Las Vegas-based Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized
Crime and Law Enforcement is located in a restored former Post
Office and Courthouse. And that building has special historical
significance that makes it ideally suited to personifying the museum's
mission: exploring the age-old battle between good guys vs. bad guys.
Because it once housed one of the Kefauver Hearings which entranced a
national television audience as Senatorial investigators and gangland
characters did battle with one another to the delight of the American
public. And the museum is not only designed to educate visitors, it
also aims to entertain them. Accordingly, a "Speakeasy located in the
museum's basement is designed to allow visitors to experience the
ambience of the speakeasies that operated throughout the country
during Prohibition. |
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Dr. Nuccitelli And hoping to achieve that objective it prioritizes informing people who might otherwise be vulnerable about the games ipredators play to gain power as they target others. It, likewise, provides essential infomation about the psychology that drives ipredators to wreak havoc over the internet. Dr. Michael Nuccitelli founded ipredators. |
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Dr. Jeff Fisher
These days, a crimp in your back or a nagging pain in your shoulders
might not necessarily have come from your being a weekend warrior who
exercises vigorously but not often enough. And for that matter, parts
of your body might not be throbbing because you have been working out
in the gym full speed ahead. On the contrary, these discomforts might
be attributable to something much less dramatic: your spending hours a
day bending over your computer or otherwise interacting with
technology. But Dr. Jeff Fisher, the originator of Fisher Traction,
maintains that by making a few simple adjustments you can click away
at your keyboard all day and still have virtually no aches and pains.
One important hint: check your posture before you even begin bending
over your computer, making certain that your shoulders are rolled
back, your spine is straight, and your chin is tucked in. |
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Bruce Silverglade |
Dr. Michael Garko These days, you hear a great deal about supplements and how they can help your body to achieve wellness. However, that dialogue has not necessarily offered a clear understanding of what they can accomplish and what common-sensical steps should be followed when you take them. Many questions remain. Do supplements go through rigorous tests before claims are made about them? Are they tested by the FDA for safety and effectiveness? Will any supplements interact in negative ways with other medication that I am already taking? If I go to a physician, I will be given a prescription that indicates precisely how much of a pharmaceutical I should take. But with supplements, I do not have that kind of certainty. Dr. Michael Garko, a Florida-based nutritionist, can help to answer some ongoing questions you might have about supplements. He is the spokesperson for Strauss Naturals and his website is: https://straussnaturals.com/ask-dr-garko/ |
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Alice Burba from Songs for Teaching If you are, for example, a social Studies teacher
who wants to enliven your lectures about the Civil Rights Movement,
Songs for Teaching grants you an easily accessible way to achieve this
objective. You can download excess of 55 songs from Songs for Teaching
that address African American themes of pride, history, and culture.
And the Arizona-based Songs for Teaching not only benefits educators
as it enriches their lessons. It also benefits musicians as it grants
them a platform for the songs. By the standards of other platforms,
the royalties they receive when their songs are downloaded are
generous: 60% of all downloads sold for items that are sold
exclusively on this website. The Arizona-based Songs for
Teaching has been in operation since 2012 . Its web site is
http://www.songsforteaching.com. Alice Burba owns this company.
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The Cleveland Heights – University Heights School
District sponsors a program that runs against long-established
educational traditions. Instead of expelling students whose behavior
has become overly disruptive, it works to ensure they will graduate
with their class. And many young people who have participated in that
district's Alternative to Expulsion program have risen to the
challenge as they achieved that goal.This program has garnered
considerable praise, but it also raises many questions that prompt no
easy answers. Might the participants in this program have managed to
stay out of trouble in the first place if the schools had been more
sensitive to their needs? Did the pandemic leave them with scars that
cannot easily be healed by any program? Has their behavior reached the
point where it would be next to impossible for them to steer
themselves in more positive directions? |
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Jeannie Fleming-Gifford When Jeannie Fleming-Gifford first began assuming caregiving duties for her mother, she was far from certain that she wanted to embark upon that journey. But in time she began to realize that being tossed into that role was actually a gift because it brought her great personal growth. And that is why she labeled the book she wrote about her experiences The Gift I Never Wanted: The Journey of Caregiving and Lessons Learned. Jeannie hopes to help others who face the same
challenges she did by passing along hints that will help them deal
with the frustrations they encounter as they care for their aging
parents' finances. |
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Dr. Michael Scott Green Does Las Vegas live by its own set of moral standards, remaining essentially oblivious to the ones that prevail elsewhere in America? Does it well deserve the title Sin City? Or is that simply a name the media has attached to it? Is it really a place where you can follow your whims without facing any repercussions because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Or is it actually more quintessentially American than some people might imagine. There are several reasons why that could be the case. It shares one thing in common with other American cities. Its growth has been supported by a strong profit motive. And at certain points in its historical timeline, it grew because the federal government was tossing large sums in its direction. Dr. Michael Scott Green, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has some unique insights about this fascinating city. |
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Carl Harmon All of the programs that Cleveland Fit for Life markets have the same goal in mind: they each promote wellness. It targets people over 65, the fastest growing age demographic in America, through its Senior Movement Fitness Program. But it goes far beyond simply working to keep members of this demographic healthy. It also offers personalized programs to people of all ages, helping them achieve their personal best. It has been estimated that American corporations lose over $300 billion annually in productivity due to chronic diseases. By many accounts, these figures are linked to the fact that nearly 70 percent of all American adults are either overweight or obese and only 15 percent of them engage in physical activity on a regular basis. So, as this studio markets its fitness programs to corporations it presents them as being cost reduction efforts. Carl Harmon is the owner and president of Cleveland Fit for Life. Its website is http://www.clevelandfitorlife.com |
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Bill Laurenson According to a report published by Feeding America, a major food assistance organization, an estimated 49 million Americans turned to hunger relief programs for support during 2022. And these figures might cause some people to look around them and ask: "I see help wanted signs virtually everywhere. So, why don't people just get a job and then they will be able to buy food and will not need food assistance? The work is out there for people to take it. And if they don't want to work, why should anybody offer them a helping hand? There are no easy answers to these questions. But Bill Laurenson, president of the Board at the Heights Emergency Food Center has some interesting insights. The center serves an average of 900 individuals people a month and has been open since 1981. Its website is https://www.heightsfoodcenter.org/ |
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Pegi
Robinson |
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Dr. Lisa Rainsong
Dr. Lisa Rainsong considers birds, crickets, katydids, amphibians not
humans who lived during a long-ago eon to be the world's first
musicians. And in keeping with that fact, Lisa, a professor at the
Cleveland Institute of Music, has recorded their songs extensively.
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David Nassaney The first 2 to 3 years he spent as a caregiver were
rough on many levels, but he soon learned a lesson that helped him
handle that role while maintaining his equilibrium. As he puts it,
"When you get on an airplane, they tell you to put on your emergency
equipment before you help others with theirs. And extending this
mantra to the role caregivers assume, they must first take care of
themselves before they can help somebody else." |
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Laura Marks In partnership with Heights Libraries, HTP is
planting a mini forest behind one of that system's facilities. Mulk
has already been laid for the saplings that will be planted in the
spring. |
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Lexi Ritt |
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Neal Owens We are moving towards the holiday season, and that means we have reasons to celebrate. But it also means things are happening that generally make people less than joyous. The days are getting shorter. It might be dark when you drive home at night or get up in the morning. But Neal Owens who owns the Maryland-based Sunbox maintains that there are ways we can compensate for what nature is not providing in the form of light. He claims that sitting under a bright light lamp of at least 10,000 lux on a daily basis can go a long way towards helping people cope with the darkness that surrounds them. And going a step further, he notes that these devices can benefit people living with Alzheimer's as it leaves them less prone to mood swings. The web site for Sunbox which sells a wide variety of different bright light lamps is https://sunbox.com |
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Queen Mother Falaka Fattah |
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November 1, 2023 Show Dr. Lisa Corsa Being a weekend warrior, somebody who exercises
vigorously a few days a week but remains essentially sedentary the
rest of the time, can benefit you in numerous ways. At the very least,
it can help you achieve a wide array of personal best as you, for
example, surpass how fast you have ever previously run. But it can
also have a distinct disadvantage. It can leave you with aches and
pains that keep you up at night. And it some cases, it can even result
in your suffering from serious injuries - tennis elbow, hamstring
woes, or rotator cuff issues. Her web site is https://ptviphealth.com/boca-raton-physical-therapy-center/
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Dr. Michael Garko Good times lie ahead for us as the calendar turns towards a long list of holidays. But as we all know in addition to holiday fun the cooler weather will also bring the flu season in its wake. Nationally known nutritionist Dr. Michael Garko notes, however, that there are ways that we can avoid the sniffles and other discomforts that these infections can cause. It is all a matter of keeping our immune system
strong. And he maintains that contrary to popular belief, "It is
possible to enhance our immune resilience at any age. Lifestyle
changes and the right nutritional balance are pivotal. There's no 'one
size fits all,' but by understanding our bodies and addressing
deficiencies, we can significantly boost our defenses." |
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Jarvis Wrazen Joseph Pilates had been unhealthy as a child. But
by undertaking a strenuous exercise regime he gained enough strength
to excel as a bodybuilder, wrestler, gymnast, boxer, skier, and diver.
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October 4, 2023 Show Pegi Robinson Concerned that others would not take them
seriously, people have generally been leery about mentioning any Near
Death Experiences that they might have had. And if they do relate them
at all they remember these experiences as having followed a familiar
pattern: They were lifted through a tunnel to what might be described
as a higher plane. And they were, subsequently, returned to their
previous existence which was little changed by their NDE. |
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Janice Lombardo For years serious diseases, such as cancer, much
less death were never openly discussed in polite company. The most
anybody would say – and they said it under their breathe if at all –
is so and so has the Big C. Now, however, times have changed. People
are more vocal about these matters than was ever previously the case.
And death doulas are working to make certain that end of life
transitions are treated like what they are – another part of life - as
they provide both physical and emotional support to clients and their
families.
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Donna Halper Donna Halper might be described as being a Jill of
all trades in the best sense of that term, because she has worked in a
wide variety of different professions. |
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September 9, 2023 Show Michael Green Las Vegas has long been renown for being a place
that does not live by the morality which rules the rest of America.
But does it really deserve that distinction? Is the old refrain which
promises that what you do there stays there actually true? Can you
really have a good time there without facing any repercussions when
you get home? |
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Mike Malterre You have probably always been told to apply
sunscreen to your skin whenever you venture outside during the summer
because it will protect you from the sun's harmful rays. But now many
environmentalists are questioning that much repeated advice. |
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Bruce Silverglade |
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Gayle Reeves |
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Lauri Scharf The professionals at We Care...Because You Do, a
program of the Ohio-based Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, are often
called upon to help clients deal with difficult decisions that they
might have been putting off for too long. Has their loved one
declined physically or mentally to the point where he or she can no
longer be safely cared for at home? If the answer to that question is,
for whatever reasons no, what alternatives are the most optimum? How
can the alternative that they select be afforded? And possibly the
most difficult challenges of all: How can they protect themselves from
feeling they have failed their long-term partner if he or she ends up
being institutionalized? How can they deal with the changes that will
bring into their lives? Linda Scharf is a care consultant with
We Care and also trains other care consultants. The program's web site
is |
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July 19, 2023 Show Sarah Dick Sarah Dick has worked for more than 26 years as a message therapist and during that period of time, she has essentially kept her writing secondary to her day job. But recently, she has decided to take her scripting up to the next level as she wrote a book that is designed to help people who are new to her craft: New Massage Therapist's Guide: Proven and Practical Tips. Trained in a broad range of different techniques - Nuat Thai, Neural Reset Therapy, Craniosacral, Reflexology, Trigger Point, Reiki, Hot Stones, Pregnancy massage, Deep Myofascial Stretching, Medical massage, Swedish, and Deep Tissue – she generally sticks to one of these disciplines when working with customers. But when it seems appropriate, she relies upon her Signature Therapeutic Message, a blend of techniques that allows her to utilize whatever tool will best serve a client's needs. Her web site is https://thoughtsfrommynoggin.com/about-sarah/
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Sherry Griffith Griffith's writings and the sessions she shares
with clients send a strong message: Only our restrictive beliefs about
ourselves, coupled with everything we have have been taught about the
world that surrounds us are stopping us from leading the life we
desire. |
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July 5, 2023 Show Dr. Michael Garko Most typically, our kidneys perform their intended
functions adequately: maintaining our overall health as they filter
waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream, regulate
electrolyte balance, and produce hormones that control blood pressure.
However, over time – possibly due to their becoming overloaded with
toxins - they sometimes stop functioning at an optimum level. And if
this malfunction is not managed properly, it can lead to serious
complications and potentially even be fatal. Dr. Michael Garko, a
credentialed nutritionist, maintains that by following a natural
protocol, people can protect themselves from suffering these ravages.
He suggests that they |
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June 28, 2023 Show Carol Leslie Carol Leslie's journey as a jazz singer carried her
thousands of miles away from her home country, Scotland, and included
a stop-off in Bermuda. The opportunity to record radio jingles while
she relaxed amongst the palm trees, sun, and pink sand she found there
must have made it hard for her to leave that island paradise. But she
kept moving until she finally settled in her American home -
Cleveland, Ohio to be exact – where she has performed at numerous
different venues and an impressive list of local bands. |
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Udo Erasmus
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Dr. Nuccitelli |
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Dr. Michael Garko |
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May 3, 2023 Show Craig Matis When Craig Matis formed Connect to One during 2013, he had one main goal in mind. He wanted to help people who are living with special needs gain more self-confidence as they develop strong personal relationships. He maintained that if it accomplished that objective it would serve as an important adjunct to organizations that simply encourage members to socialize as a group. The applications that prospective members send to Connect to One ask them to indicate, among other things, the nature of their disability and the type of relationship they are seeking – dating, friendship, networking. Their responses are reviewed and verified before they are placed in a password protected directory. Members can view the profiles that have been posted in this database and place requests to meet another member. The recipient of this request can either accept or refuse it. This organization’s web site is http://www.connectcle.org |
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Christopher Cook
The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District has adopted
something that clearly runs against long-established educational
traditions. Instead of expelling students whose behavior has become
disruptive, this district makes it possible for them to graduate with
their class by enrolling them in its Alternative to Expulsion Program.
And many of these young people have risen to the challenge by earning
their high school diploma.
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Bob Leslie
Influenced
by the 1960s folk music boom, Bob
Leslie,
a Scottish musician, began his musical career playing acoustic
music. But instead of sticking to acoustic instrumentation, he
followed the siren sound of electric instruments. And this
transition brought him recognition. He was approached by the Kinks managers
– who recorded demos of his songs – and Chrysalis
Records –
who were looking for someone to write music that had elements of Total
Eclipse of the Heart! |
Pegi Robinson
These days, stories about people being brought back to
life after they experience a near fatal drug overdose have become
almost commonplace. And much has been published about the role that
Narcan plays in leading them out of danger. |
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Lee Gerdes
maintains that people do not have to lie in bed
night after night with a whole range of negative emotions –
nervousness, anxiousness, frustration – surging through them because
they cannot fall into a restful sleep. On the contrary, they can start
getting the rest they crave sooner than they might ever suspect if
they follow some simple procedures. |
Aaron Zober |
By some accountings, folks who prefer a plant-based diet and those who enjoy a juicy steak, or a hamburger, will never find common ground. But members of the California-based The Appropriate Omnivore have proved those skeptics wrong. Overlooking the fact that they follow very different diets, they have joined forces by taking up as their mantra - the exact diet you follow is not as important as is the fact you eat nutrient-dense foods, such as sourdough bread, that have long been mainstays of people’s diets. And these days they stress that eating an appropriate diet can do more than just benefit your health in a myriad of ways. It can also help you keep your food budget from spiraling out of control, an important consideration during this historical juncture when people experience sticker shock every time they visit a grocery store. Aaron Zober originated the Appropriate Omnivore. Its web site over which it streams its podcasts is http://www.appropriateomnivore.com |
Barbara Becker Holstein |
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, a New Jersey based psychologist, practices what she labels positive psychology, which has incorporated as its mantra: Women of all ages have a great capacity for happiness and purpose. However, they often don’t know how to use their strengths to their best advantage on any level. So, they suffer a loss of physical and emotional energy that interferes with their mental health and their ability to live out their desires. But Barbara maintains that these negatives can be overcome by following a daily regime that starts with a blessing, such as this simple verse which reads in part. “As you clear off the ice, and watch your step may your dreams of delight be forming, so that as soon as the sun shines bright you will be ready and able for the wonderful treats in storage for you!” |
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Elizabeth Maxwell |
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Wayne Elliott Heart disease remains the leading cause of death
for both American men and women; an estimated 670,000 Americans died
from it during 2020. But according to health and wellness educator
Wayne Elliott, these facts and figures, no matter how grim they might
sound, do not have to represent cause for alarm. Because by his
accounting simple and affordable non-surgical interventions can
protect people from the devastating impact of heart disease.
Speaking to that point, he indicates that when taken in the right
proportions and with regularity certain herbs – aged garlic extract,
European mistletoe, Motherwort flower, Cayene fruit, Bilberry leaf -
have significant cardiovascular benefits. He also notes that chelation
therapy which uses a chemical compound (EDTA) can make blood vessels
more flexible, removes hardening mineral deposits from blood vessels
and release nitric oxide, leading to vasodilation |
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Susan Gibson Probably nothing terrifies people more than does the thought that they or a loved one might slide into dementia as they develop Alzheimer’s. However, Susan Gibson, the formulator of Vivolor Memory Support, maintains that these declines can be managed, albeit not totally reversed, if people follow simple nutritional and lifestyle guidelines. For example, Susan notes that that exercise improves cognitive function; in fact, she ranks it as being the most powerful thing somebody can do to ensure their brain remains healthy. By her accounting, taking a 30-minute brisk walk at least 3 times a week can lead to a 46% reduction in dementia. But she acknowledges that although the regime she recommends might help people at any stage of memory loss, it is generally most effective when started early. Susan brings to her efforts a diverse educational background – a pharmacy degree and Harvard MBA. Her company’s web site is https://vivolor.com/ |
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Neal Owens |
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Dr. Thelma Reese |
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Special Guest: Udo Erasmus
Good nutrition provides the
body with the basic building blocks and essential nutrients that
support its many biological tasks. At Udo’s Choice, we make the
greatest public health impact by purposefully focusing on the
following areas of nutrition, to help you: Get your fats right,
improve digestion, and increase your consumption of greens. |
In the second-half of the program: Harriet and Zman take a look back at 2022. |
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Gail Kerzner
People write every day without making certain their words are perfectly aligned with each one of them sending an important message. And when it comes to Tweeting, blogging, or filling up their Facebook page people might be more concerned about making an impact – possibly, even being a bit flamboyant - than they are about following established guidelines. They might figure that is the way that they will get “likes” and “followers.” There are, however, times when they become obliged to pay close attention to how they express themselves. When they write college application letters. When they compose advertisements for their business. When they write research papers. When they finally compose that long awaited Great American novel and want to make it shine. These are the occasions when the services offered by the Savvy Red Pen can come in handy. That company’s website is http://www.thesavvyredpen.com ,and it was originated by Gail Kerzner. |
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Gary Growden
These days people experience sticker shock whenever they venture into
a grocery store and notice how the prices on their favorite items have
increased exponentially in an amazingly short period of time. And they
are wondering, “These expenses are breaking my budget. What can I do
that will make my groceries more affordable?” Gary Growden, a veteran
of the food processing industry, does not claim he has any easy
answers to these queries. |
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Dr. Michael Nuccitelli The internet has won hearts and minds because it can in a manner of speaking transport people virtually anywhere they might choose to go – a 21st century magic carpet ride. So, they speak about it in glowing terms. But as the New York City-based psychologist Dr. Michael Nuccitelli notes this technology has a dark side. All too often, it becomes a vehicle for internet predators (ipredators) or cyberbullies and other undesirable types to work their mischief. And because he realizes that this misbehavior can greatly harm those whom it targets, Michael has committed himself to spreading what he considers to be an important lesson. Keeping yourself safe online starts with taking one thing into account. Cyberbullies begin their games by worming themselves into people’s confidence. In that sense, their behavior mirrors that of predators who function through personal contact and the same precautions are needed. |
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Jeremy Manson Young people who enter care centers have the same hopes and expectations as do others in their age grouping. They want opportunities to develop and hone their talents. And as long as they remain mentally alert, that might be a realistic hope even if they face serious physical challenges. Unfortunately, however, the facilities they enter are often ill equipped to answer their needs; they are designed to serve another generation. So, the young people who reside in them languish. Jeremiah Mason knows from personal experience the frustrations they face. After an automobile accident left him a triple amputee, he entered a Virginia care center. And since that point, he has been working to serve as an advocate for young people in care centers. While individuals under 65 years of age represent only a small percentage of individuals in these institutions, their number in the hundreds of thousands on a national level. |
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Linda Krasienko
There is a question that individuals who are involved in social movements
on an ongoing basis ask themselves regularly: Have my efforts and the
efforts of many other people actually made this world a better place? And
Linda Krasienko, a long-term gay activist is no exception to thus general
rule. Sure, she obviously knows that the legalizing of gay marriage
represents a great step forward. However, how far has that legalization
really gone to make life easier for people whose lifestyle does not
conform to accepted norms? But now, however, help might be on the way for
these individuals. Studio 117, an entertainment venue located on the
boundary between Cleveland and Lakewood, Ohio will be expanding to include
a wider range of facilities, including a retirement community, a clinic,
and a motel. This project will be completed over the next two years. |
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Bridget
Siljander |
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Special Returning Guest: Eric Anderson Throughout history, social norms have
dictated that generations be separated from one another in
ways almost too numerous to count. But the pandemic widened
the gaps between age groups to a greater extent than had ever
previously been the case as it kept people isolated from one
another. As a precautionary measure against the virus
spreading, grandchildren were not allowed to visit their
grandparents. At the height of the health emergency senior
citizens were advised not to leave their homes unless it was
absolutely necessary. |
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September 21, 2022 Show
Bruce Silverglade |
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September 14, 2022 Show David Nassaney Speaking from long experience, David Nassaney is fast
to note that the gas distribution industry has transitioned dramatically
since he first entered it as a worker for family-owned gas stations during
the 1960s. But alert to its nuances, he also maintains that much about the
way this industry functions has remained constant. |
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September 7, 2022 Show Malika Moore It might be a hard truth to accept. But despite the
fact that they both begin with the letter “a” the words “aging” and
“amazing” are rarely used in conjunction with one another these days. If
somebody can still play a concerto with great gusto in their 90s,
superlatives – “wonderful,” “inspirational” - might be tossed their way.
Their concerts might be afforded due respect. But less face it, that
degree of adulation is hardly the norm. For the most part older people are
viewed in less than positive terms. |
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Julie E |
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Carol Leslie |
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Tommy Fello
Staffing remains an ongoing challenge and smaller establishments are
facing stiff competition from fast food that are better equipped to handle
drive-through orders and can afford to charge lower prices. Then, there is
the fact that many people, leery of becoming infected by the virus, are
avoiding all public places. |
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Sam Kukich
At this point, many people are wondering: Is the fact that for profit
nursing homes often fail to keep their promises tied to their desire to
lower expenses? Does the fact that they are understaffed stem from
management’s desire to save money as much as it does from the fact they
simply cannot attract enough workers? |
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Anthony Nunez
As the CEO of INF Care Anthony Nunez has been instrumental in developing
RUDY, in common parlance a robot, who can help seniors or disabled
individuals stay safe and connected. And he road tested this technology
during the pandemic as he worked with Medicaid to bring just the software
from RUDY into homes throughout the Washington DC area. And now the
Virginia-based INF Care is launching a new service called AT HOME
CONCIERGE which is a support system to help independent older adults
remain independent at home. As the name implies it is designed to
make it possible for seniors and others with special needs to age at home.
These check-ins focus on daily connectivity for individuals at home,
getting answers on informational requests and help with scheduling but
most importantly, listening to the client. Subscriptions can be purchased
on a month-by-month, with there being no fee for cancellations and
everything is included. |
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Donna Halper The years young people spend in college are
traditionally thought to be the best years of their lives. They have
evolved beyond their teenaged angst and are not yet obliged to take on
adult responsibilities. Yet, that idealized image no longer seems to
represent the realities of college life for many students. If nothing
else, they are pressured by the thought of repaying college loans, debts
that might oblige them to accept a high paying rather than an ideal job.
And the pandemic continues to spread a somberness over everything. |
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Robert Adams
was instrumental in forming the Florida-based National
Red Alert Company, which markets rapid response systems that allow people
to bypass 911 as they contact emergency assistance. His involvement with
this company evolves naturally from his passion for utilizing technology
in ways that can save lives by speeding response times. In
discussing the potential of the system, he has helped develop, Robert
notes that: “US regulators estimate that as many as 10,000 lives could be
saved every year by reducing police response times by as little as one
minute. In addition to saving lives, it could spare crime victims needless
mental and physical trauma by faster police response.” Robert has also
played a major role in developing web-based marketing systems for
independent businesses. Intermeshing tried-and-true fundamentals with
web-based system technologies, this system allows these businesses to
compete effectively with known retail giants. |
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Dan Barker |
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Mary Verdi Fletcher Dancing Wheels web site is is https://www.dancingwheels.org Check the Dancing Wheels web site for information on its upcoming events. |
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Sara Lawrence-Sucato
As she describes it, Sara Lawrence-Sucato wears many hats within the
Dancing Wheels organization. Retired after sixteen years dancing with the
troupe that features both seated and standing dancers, she now serves as
the company's rehearsal director and also handles outreach and in-studio
classes for the School of Dancing Wheels. |
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Mary Verdi Fletcher Check the Dancing Wheels web site for information on its upcoming eventa.. |
Second Half of Show: Practical thoughts about guns and gun control from an enthusiastic gun-owner. |
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Pegi Robinson
Near Death experiences occur when after an injury or other trauma, somebody’s spirit or whatever other word seems most appropriate within this context – moves into another realm before it returns to their physical body. Some people, however, think that this description remains overly dramatic. They maintain that NDEs might simply represent neural activity that closely resembles what goes on during a phenomenon called sleep paralysis. However, they might conceptualize them, have people become more open over the years to accepting accounts of NDE? There are no easy answers to these questions? But Pegi Robinson who heads the Mid Ohio Valley Chapter of the International Association for Near Death Studies, which is committed to increasing the public’s awareness of NDEs should help us to gain some insights into these mysteries? The IANDS’ web site is http://www.iands.org |
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Lauri Scharf
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Dr Julie Gatza |
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Queen Mother
Falaka Fattah |
Margaret Nash and Karen Graves
During 1974, Marjorie Rowland, a guidance counselor in Ohio’s Mad River School District was fired for being open about her bisexuality. Her case made its way to the Supreme Court after a lower court ruled that her openness was not constitutionally protected, because it did not touch upon matters of public concern. The Justices declined to consider it. However, in a spectacular dissent, Justice William Brennan argued that the First and Fourteenth Amendments apply to bisexuals, gays, and lesbians. That dissent became the foundation for LGBTQ civil rights advances ever since it was written.
And in recognition of that fact Margaret Nash and Karen Graves have written a book - Mad River, Marjorie Rowland, and the Quest for LGBTQ Teachers’ Rights – that commemorates that case and will be published by Rutgers University Press this August. Both of these women have previously written extensively about educational issues. |
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Margaret Nash |
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Karen Graves |
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Jeanna Davis
Statistics compiled
by the Nursing
Home Abuse Center indicate
that one out of ten people age 65 or older who live at home suffer elder
abuse. This mistreatment which
can be physical, emotional or financial in nature remains a matter of
serious concern as it often has a devastating impact upon the victims.
In extreme instances, it can even increase their chances of dying by
300%.
Yet, for years, this problem has remained largely hidden from public
view. The news media rarely if ever mention it. Victims remain too
embarrassed or too intimidated to seek help. However, the Ohio based Eliza
Bryant Village Elder Justice Center is not only working to bring this
abuse out into the open. It is also provides care for victims of this
mistreatment.
This center offers them a shelter, where they are safe from mistreatment
and their dignity is respected. The center’s web site is https://www.elizabryant.org/elder-justice-center/. |
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Dr. Thelma Reese Particularly during the early days of the pandemic it
was announced ad infinitum that older Americans face more dire
circumstances if they contract the virus than do younger Americans. And in
substantiating these warnings, medical authorities pointed to two factors:
Seniors tend to have weakened immune systems plus underlying health
problems. However, these pronouncements overlooked the fact that seniors
can be more resilient than some give them credit for being. And the fact
that they have attained their advancing age attests to the fact that they
are survivors who can withstand hard times. |
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Christopher Cook Traditionally, students have been expelled if their behavior became overly disruptive. But the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District’s Alternative to Expulsion Program grants them another chance to graduate with their class. Christopher Cook heads that effort. We all know how difficult the pandemic has been for young people. By virtually all accounts, a high proportion of them have suffered anxiety and depression; feelings of confusion or hopelessness are widespread. And these challenges might be even more extreme for young people who have already exhibited behavior problems as have participants in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District’s Alternative to Expulsion Program. This effort has one major goal in mind: ensure that participants graduate with their class. Has the pandemic made it more difficult for them to reach that goal? Have the uncertainties that have come in its wake created turmoil that prevented them from moving forward? Has it lessened their motivation to take positive steps towards securing their future? Christopher Cook who heads this program can provide us with some responses to these quandaries. |
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Dr. Marilyn Gugliucci |
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Dr. Fran Parker |
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Tom Hlavin
Tom Hlavin’s background is in sales. But his experience in the
business world has taught him the importance of identifying a
need and finding the most efficacious means of answering it.
So, when he came to believe that a lack of technological
skills was isolating many senior citizens, he swung into
action. Spending his own money, he bought 150 Fire tablets.
And that purchase turned out to be the beginnings of the
Ohio-based Simply Virtual which seeks to welcome seniors to
today’s wired world. It has
distributed nearly 400 tablets - internet access - to
participants.
Along the way Tom has had to
prove his mettle as a problem solver. For example, when shaky
hands or arthritis proved utilizing the tablets challenging he
bought styluses for participants to use. And he has sent
technicians to work directly with seniors who needed that
personal contact to improve their technical skills.
This organization’s web site is
http://www.simplyvirtualinc.org |
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Laurel Wittman
Caring for a disabled or chronically ill individual can prove stressful and wearing even under the best of circumstances, much less during a pandemic. But it can become particularly demanding when somebody is nurturing a spouse or partner. And that is why the New Jersey-based Well Spouse Association (WSA) is committed to supporting individuals who are dealing with these challenges.
Although it is sometimes viewed in these terms, spousal care giving is not something that only involves the aged. Nor is it limited to supporting individuals who are living with any specific disease. And aware of that fact, Well Spouse provides a wide range of programs, increasing the chances that members will find offerings that fit their specific needs. That list includes Support Groups (currently meeting online), an online chat forum, mentorship, respites, and a bi-monthly publication.
Laurel Wittman serves as President of WSA’s Board of Director. The organization’s web site is http://www.wellspouse.org |
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Sam Kukich
After Sam Kukich became aware that long-term
care facilities often provide residents with less than optimum, she became
committed to fixing what she considered to be a great wrong. And that
resolve led her to form Dignity for the Aged.
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Aaron Zober |
Harriet and Zman discuss what might be expected during the coming year and what people will read about our decade 20 to 40 years from now. |
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Paul Kidd
When Paul Kidd moved to Cleveland during 2019 he became determined to do
something that to the best of his knowledge nobody had ever previously
done. He decided to acquaint himself with his adopted hometown by running
down each of its streets. By his estimation, he will have travelled about
1500 miles by the time he reaches his goal. And he has been keeping a blog
so he can share his adventures with others. |
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Jill Cohen
In a
manner of speaking our entire country – not only people who have lost
somebody to the virus – is experiencing a state of mourning. And there
are many reasons why people are feeling overwhelmed. They might have lost
their job as their business closed or laid off people during the
pandemic. Or, less dramatically, they might have come to perceive
themselves as be ng a stranger in a changing world where service is
no longer delivered and the shelves are not stocked.
What can be done to support people who are enduring
emotional and physical stress for any of the above reasons? Is their
discomfort likely to become even more acute than ever as we enter the
holiday season? There are no easy answers to these questions. But Jill
Cohen, a New
York City-based grief counselor, has some valuable insights. Her web site
is https://www.jillgriefcounselor.com/ |
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Mark Cheplowitz |
Craig Matis Connect to One |
Chief Annette Mecklenberg
Recent tragedies have led Americans to proclaim almost in unison that police departments are not exercising sufficient vigilance when they hire and retain officers, allowing officers who represent a clear danger to remain on the force. However, while Americans are generally united in making these claims they are much less unified when it comes to expressing what can be done to rectify the situation. Some people maintain that police forces should be defunded with kinder and gentler professionals, better equipped to deescalate rather than escalate situations, taking over their duties. Others favor civil reviews which will make it harder for police to hide behind what is often termed a blue shield whereby police protect their fellow officers from public scrutiny.
Chief Annette Mecklenberg who heads the Cleveland Heights, Ohio police department has some thoughts about these matters that are worth considering. Her city’s web site is http://www.clevelandheights.com
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Nera Birch
Because it comes in such a wide variety of shapes and
sizes autism can be very difficult if not virtually impossible to
diagnose. And determining how people who are autistic – or more accurately
placed within the autistic spectrum - might be gently nudged towards more
socially sanctioned behavior can become even more challenging. That is the
case because in today’s millennial world an increasing large number of
individuals who are living with autism are claiming that they do not have
to be treated at all. These self-advocates proudly proclaim that they
should simply be allowed to follow their own individual paths instead of
being expected to comply with what others might term normal. Nera Birch,
has long proclaimed these self-affirming thoughts. She serves as a
self-advocate with the Ohio based Milestones, which provides support of
individuals on the autism spectrum. This organization’s web site is
http://www.milestones.org |
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Kathryn McCamant
Americans have traditionally favored single family houses in the suburbs complete with all the amenities that they could afford. But these days, at least in part because of the pandemic, they are considering other options, including cohousing which combines private homes with common facilities in the hopes of creating cohesiveness among residents. However, long experience has taught Kathryn McCamant that establishing cohousing arrangements is fraught with challenges such as zoning laws that cannot easily be surmounted. And that is why she formed the California-based Cohousing-solutions to help people overcome these stumbling blocks. It provides consultations that focus on everything from site search and acquisition to Project and construction management. That organization has developed the 500 Communities program a training curriculum which equips participants to play a role in the creation of the next 500 cohousing communities. The group’s web site is www.cohousing-solutions.com |
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Dan Barker
Many events have captured the public’s imagination during recent years. They include among other things, the insurrection that took place on January 6th, 2021 the worker shortage which is obliging companies to reconfigure themselves and America’s efforts to work its way through the pandemic. But will these events resonate through the decades. Forty or fifty years from now will students read about them in history books? Or, will they essentially be relegated to history’s dustpan as have many other occurrences that seemed consequential on many levels as they transpired? It goes without saying that nobody can answer these questions with any degree of certainty. The future is not that easy to predict. However, Dan Barker has some intriguing responses to them. He is the president of the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, which promotes separation of church and state. The foundation’s web site is http://www.ffrf.org |
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Michael Daniel During the pandemic, months of the year, not to mention days of the week, have begun to elude us. Is it Monday or is it Tuesday? Are we entering fall or are we approaching spring? It is sometimes hard to know these things for sure. Most of us have learned to rely upon our computers or upon our phones to settle any confusion we are experiencing as regards times or dates. However, some folks are turning to more time worn methods of keeping in sync. They are relying upon clocks of the old-fashioned variety, ones that might sit on a shelf or grace a living room. And showing a love for these treasured instruments horologists are working hard to keep them in good functioning order. Michael Daniel owns Cleveland Clock Repair can tell us more about their efforts. His company’s web site is https://clevelandclockrepair.com/ |
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Lauri Scharf
At one point, when an older
person’s memory or health began to falter long term care in a nursing
facility was almost the only available option for that individual. But
times have changed and these days many persons, even those who have been
diagnosed with dementia, manage to remain in their own homes.
However, that arrangement
might be contingent upon their receiving the type of support that We
Care…Because You Do can provide. A program of the Ohio-based Benjamin Rose
Institute, it can help the elderly and their care givers deal with major
challenges that that they are facing: planning for long-term care;
addressing financial and legal concerns; exploring housing options;
understanding respite possibilities; bringing families together around
care giving duties. And its offerings can prove more essential than ever
as the pandemic creates considerable uncertainty and safety precautions
can make connecting with services more difficult.
Lauri Scharf is
a care consultant with We Care and also trains other care consultants.
This program’s web site is
https://www.benrose.org/-/for-older-people-and-families/wecare |
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Anthony Nunez |
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Lara Proegler
Essential oils, the chemical components that give plants their characteristic odors, have long been utilized in the production of perfumes and flavors. Now, however, they are also being widely touted for their unique ability to help the body rebalance itself.
Some oils, such as
sage, geranium and thyme, help woman regulate their estrogen and
progesterone levels. Other essential oils, meanwhile, have
anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-fungal
properties that help to boost immune. And still others relieve upset
stomachs, indigestion, diarrhea, stomach spasms. When she markets these oils (manufactured by deTerra), Lara Proegler goes beyond merely noting that they can be immensely healing, she also alerts people to cautions that they must take when purchasing this product. She, for example, tells them that they should look askance at displays where all essential oils are sold at the same price (per weight).
Her web site is https://www.doterra.com/US/en/site/laraproegler
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Brian Anderson |
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Bruce Silverglade |
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Pat Swann |
NDE Survivor Pegi Robinson
There is no
general agreement as regards what near death experiences actually
represent. Many people envision them as being something spiritual. After
an injury or other trauma, somebody’s spirit – or whatever other word
seems most appropriate – moves into another realm before it returns to
their physical body. Others, however, claim that there is nothing
otherworldly about nds; they represent
neural activity
that closely resembles what goes on during a phenomenon called
sleep paralysis.
Has anything happened during the pandemic that has helped us to gain some
clarity about these matters? Did the countless number of people who passed
through life threatening stages of COVID but survived experienced NDEs? |
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Dr. Julie Gatza People tend to accept many discomforts as simply being an inevitable part of the aging process. And constipation, diarrhea or gas are high on that list. But Dr. Julie Gatza, co-founder of the Florida Wellness Institute, does not think that these annoyances, ones people are often reluctant to discuss, are inevitable. On the contrary, she maintains that lifestyle changes – eating plenty of fiber, drinking a lot of water, exercising regularly, reducing stress whenever possible- can help to lessen their severity. And she also claims that digestive enzyme supplements can help you enjoy greater comfort. A chiropractor with more than 30 years of clinical practice, Dr. Julie, acknowledges that making that the lifestyle changes she considers essential will prove a challenge for virtually anybody. But she maintains that this challenge can become manageable if handled in small steps, one after the other. Her web site is https://naturessources.com/dr-julie-gatza/ |
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Karen Hatfield
During more normal times, people are left to grieve in their own way.
Their emotions lead them along their personal path to recovery. However,
the pandemic has torn apart these established patterns. It has, among
other things, stopped people from being able to hold memorial services
that involve more than a very few select individuals or gain strength from
people who come from distances to help them heal. Then, there is the fact
that bereaved individuals might struggle with the fact they could not
comfort their loved one as she approached her final days. So, what can be
done to help people work their way through their grief under such trying
circumstances. Karen Hatfield, who serves as the Team Leader, Counseling
Services at the Ohio-based Hospice of the Western Reserve has some
intriguing responses to these questions. |
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Dr. Michael Lewis
In some form or another, the pandemic definitely unsettled every single
one of us. Among other things, it separated us from our normal routines
and in some cases resulted in our feeling considerable stress as
uncertainty surrounded us. Does that mean we can expect to suffer some
degree of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) as we might if we had
experienced a concussion other traumatic injury? |
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Laci Cornelison
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Sam Kukich |
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Rebekah Ives
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Kathy Blackman |
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Ben Turshen |
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Scott Z
There is a long list of reasons why Americans feel attached to their guns.
Some folks consider them valuable because they take them hunting. Others
view them in favorable terms because they feel challenged when they use
them as they take target practice. And then, there are the millions of
Americans who consider having a gun to be their birthright, not to mention
their means of protecting themselves. |
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Angel Reyes As the pandemic made people leery of taking public transportation or carpooling, bicycles became a popular item. In fact, N.P.D. Group, a market research firm, reported that during March, 2020 sales of commuter and fitness bikes in the same month increased 66 percent over the numbers for March,2019. The corresponding numbers for leisure bikes was 121 percent. Those same exponential gains are probably not being repeated this year. But bikes are backlogged to the point it might take months before you receive one that meets your specifications as interest in that mode of transportation remains high. And in keeping with that fact, the Heights Bicycle Coalition is working to make biking safer and more pleasurable for residents of that city. It is, for example, working with the Cleveland Heights City Hall to improve the chances that stolen bicycles will be returned. The coalition’s web site which has good information for bikers everywhere is www.heightsbicyclecoalition.org Angel Reyes serves as its Communications Committee Co-Chair. |
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David Nassaney |
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Genevieve Gipson |
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Sharon Hatfield Edith Maxwell was living a quiet life as a 21-year-old first year teacher in rural Virginia when a tragic incident landed her in the middle of a media feeding frenzy. She was accused of killing her father, Trigg Maxwell, after a fight they got into when she arrived home late turned fatal. Did Edith, terrified of his drunken behavior which she had long endured, kill her father in self-defense? Or did she resent his attempts to control her and deliberately strike him with a heavy object? There are no clear answers to those questions. In her book Never Seen the Moon: The Trials of Edith Maxwell, Sharon Hatfield leaves it to the reader to decide. Amid the legal twists and turns, Hatfield captures readers' attention as she relates the sensationalistic media coverage of the trials Edith had to endure until she finally earned her freedom. The book page is https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/catalog/32ypg7nc9780252030031.html and Sharon’s bio page is https://www.ohioswallow.com/author/Sharon+Hatfield Sharon’s Facebook page is https://www.ohioswallow.com/author/Sharon+Hatfield |
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Shalom Plotkin |
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David Lange entitled his book “Virginity Lost in Vietnam.” And that
title tells his story in more than one way, because he not only lost his
virginity in a physical sense. He also lost it in a much broader sense as
he came into contact with cultures that had previously been totally
unfamiliar to him. That awakening led him to believe, among other things,
that the privileged and the less resourced were living in two different
worlds which rarely interacted with one another. |
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Kathryn McCamant
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Jonathan Clues
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Cory Chalmers When Cory Chalmers started Steri-Clean, he wanted his firm to do more than simply clean the debris from hoarders’ homes. He hoped that its employees would guide clients towards feeling feel celebratory about freeing themselves from the clutter that was engulfing them. Cory Chalmers formed Steri-Clean after his 14 years as a paramedic made him acutely aware of one thing. A company which could handle challenging clean up jobs – crime scene sanitization, biohazard removal, hoarder disposal - was desperately needed. And that is why he started the Colorado-based Steri-Clean. But he wanted his firm to go behind simply cleansing environments that desperately needed that attention. He wanted it to exhibit humanity; its employees are, for example, trained to help hoarders feel celebratory about freeing themselves from the clutter that was disrupting their stability. They are being given what might be termed a second chance. Cory, who also serves as host of “Hoarders” is CEO of Steri-Clean which has franchises in 40 different locations. He has been the keynote speaker at hundreds of conferences and seminars held throughout the United States and Canada. His company’s web site is http://www.Steri-Clean.com |
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Beth Betcher |
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Bettina Dickson Rusher
Vulnerable individuals, such as nursing home residents, often must be isolated to protect them from the virus. And these precautions will continue even after they have been vaccinated. But these precautions can lead to their experiencing loneliness and depression as they cannot enjoy their accustomed human contact. So, keeping distancing these individuals might be an instance where the cure is worse than the disease. Can robo-pets, mechanical instruments that are programmed to bark and do many other things on demand, provide a means by which individuals can have some interaction/ contact even if they are isolated? Or, do they simply represent a toy better left to children than to adults? There are no easy answers to that question. But Bettina Dickson Rusher has some valuable insights. She and her sister, Frances, started Memorable Pets after they had been challenged by their care giving journey with their mother.
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Shannon Leavitt There are good reasons why yoga has earned a wide
following during recent years; it not only helps those who follow its many
paths to gain body acceptance it also enhances their strength,
flexibility, and balance. And designed for those who want to both lift
weights and do yoga in one sitting, yogalift adds another dynamic to yoga
as it has been traditionally practiced. A certified health coach, personal
trainer, and also authored Learn to Be Lean. Intended as a workbook, this
text offers an alternative to crash course diet plans, guiding readers to
take charge of their health in a way that will prove sustainable. It seeks
to realign lives, not just move the numbers on a scale downward. Her web
site is http://www.yogalift.com |
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Anthony Hitch |
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Megan Hustings |
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Michael Unger Although you might generally be quite active, the pandemic might have turned you into more of a couch potato than you ever imagined anything could. That lack of movement could have resulted in climbing steps or maneuvering through uneven pavements becoming a challenge for you. So, you know that you must do something to get yourself back into shape. But several roadblocks are standing in your way of achieving that objective. Due to ongoing pandemic restrictions the gyms are closed. And exercising has never been easy for you; it might even bring back hurtful memories of your being chosen last for sports teams. That is where Michael Ungar might prove helpful. Working with clients in their homes or virtually, he helps them prevent falls by improving their balance and strengthening their muscles. He is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) -certified Personal Trainer. His web site is http://athomeseniorfitness.net |
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Dr. Cass Ingram
The pandemic transformed our lives at breakneck speed. We were going about
our business as normal. And then what seemed to be only minutes later we
were tossed into a world that bore an eerie resemblance to “The Twilight
Zone.” |
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Marcia Flesner Statistics published earlier this year concluded that nursing home residents accounted for almost half of all pandemic deaths in the United States. Those findings are hardly surprising considering as these individuals are fragile medically and tend to enjoy limited personal space. But can anything be done at this point that would ensure their well-being on a medical level without harming them on a psychological level as might isolating them? There are no easy answers to these questions. But relying upon data collected over 40 years, researchers at the University of Missouri’s Sinclair School of Nursing, have determined that keeping and retaining staff members who work long term in homes can make them more equipped to benefit residents even during crises. Marcia Flesner has since retired but she worked as the project coordinator for this ongoing research. |
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Elena LaVictoire
These days people are asking hard questions when it comes to the public
schools: Can students safely attend traditional class sessions during the
pandemic? If the schools are opened and are then forced to close shortly
thereafter could the ensuing confusion harm children? If they learn on
line are students really gaining as much as might be desired from their
lessons? Are the schools so preoccupied with protecting students and staff
members from the virus that educating students is not receiving the
attention it merits? |
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Vanessa Tennyson The founder & CEO of Capitalize Your Humanity, Vanessa
Tennyson does not assume a one size fits all approach when she provides
her clients with Leadership Coaching. Rather, building upon her decades of
experience in the business world, she encourages her clients to evolve
their own unique managerial style. |
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Kenn Israel Your doctor has prescribed medication to bring down your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol or help you regulate your weight. And you understand the importance of keeping these numbers under control. But you went online and encountered a long list of side effects you might experience if you took this medication as prescribed. They sound gruesome at any point in time but they are particularly scary while the pandemic is racing through our country. Could they compromise your immune system and make you vulnerable to serious pandemic complications? So, you look to wellness products as an alternative, and you are intrigued by the fact they have no listed side effects. You cannot help wondering, however, if the promises they make are too good to be true. There are no easy answers to that question. But Kenn Israel who has been decades of experience with these supplements should supply some helpful responses. His web site is http://www.kennisrael.com |
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Brian Anderson
Heights’ shopping strips are not only appealing in
their uniqueness. They are also showing great resilience as they work to
survive hard times in the form of a pandemic. Restaurants in that inner
ring suburb, which has a population of 46,000, have served meals on
socially distanced patios or offered take outs. Some entrepreneurs have
established pop ups in anticipation of a busy holiday season. While others
have increased their footprint on Social Media or worked to make customers
feel safe by following strict COVID regulations. And the city has worked to make certain that their hard efforts will meet with success. Among other things, it has foregone parking fees and distributed CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) funds to qualifying merchants.
Brian Anderson serves as that city’s business development manager. The city’s web site is http://www.clevelandheights.com |
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Ben Turshen |
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Dan Barker (left) Dan
Barker once served as an evangelical minister with a bent towards the
musical and dramatic. However, during 1984, his life changed, He broke
with precedent as he announced that he had become an atheist. And he
revealed his break with the past in an extremely public way – on AM
Chicago which was then hosted by Oprah Winfrey. He subsequently went on to
work as the co-president of the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion
Foundation, which promotes the separation of church and state. And he also
co-hosts Freethought Radio, which is broadcasted nationally over several
different stations and has welcomed luminaries, such as Steven Pinker and
Richard Dawkins, as guests. |
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Paul Malley Aging with Dignity has remained committed to the same motto since it was first formed during 1996: affirm and safeguard the human dignity of individuals as they age and promote better end of life care. And as it has worked to carry out its mission, this Florida-based organization has created and distributed an estimated 20 million copies of Five Wishes. Valid in most states, this document includes all the instructions and information that you might need to create a legally enforceable advance directive. As part of its advocacy efforts, Aging With Dignity has also established a hot line (1-888-594-7437) that provides callers with guidance as regards their advance care planning. Stories about its efforts have been broadcasted over ABC, CBS and NBC, CNN, MSNBC, the Today Show, Good Morning America and published in USA Today. This organization’s web site is http://www.agingwithdignity.org . Paul Malley serves as its president. |
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Eric Anderson Some students bike to their classes at the Sherbrooke Community Center, while others are car pooled or driven there by their parents. No matter what their specific mode of transportation, however, they attend school in an unusual setting for elementary-aged youngsters – a care home for the elderly and those who have special needs. And this arrangement- the iGen program - allows them to participate in some unique educational opportunities as they interact regularly with people from other generations and backgrounds. The Saskatchewan-based Sherbrooke prides itself upon the fact that residents are housed in structures designed to be more residential than institutional, making it possible for them to live as normal a life as possible. In addition to the almost 300 people who make Sherbrooke their homes hundreds of others take part in its Community Day Programs. The web site for the center is www.sherbrookecommunitycentre.ca . Eric Anderson serves as its Communications Leader. |
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Ed Guion
Decades ago, it was the norm for elders to live in a cottage next to their
family’s main house as they aged. This arrangement had some decided
advantages: it allowed seniors to retain their privacy while also having
ready access to the support of family members. And because he admired the
way it made it possible for loved ones to care for one another, Ed Guion
wanted to bring this arrangement up to date and market it. |
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Anthony Nunez
When we are tired after a long day at work or just
feeling a little lazy, we might wish that we had a genii-like creature
that would perform unappealing tasks for us. It might, for example, wash
the dishes or bring our medicine to the table. Well, now there is a
machine – a robot in common parlance – who could pamper us on demand in
much the same way our imaginary genii might. His name is RUDY and he is
the brainchild of the Virginia-based INF Robotics. |
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Susan Kurowski Research shows that loneliness - not cancer or heart
disease – is the most serious threat the elderly face. But that does not
mean seniors have to fall prey to this malady; there is a simple cure for
it that does not even involve medical intervention: pets. And keeping this
fact in mind, the Pets for the Elderly Foundation helps pay the fees to
participating animal shelters throughout the United States for senior
citizens (age 60 and over) who adopt a companion dog or cat. |
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Pegi Robinson People usually envision near death experiences as being events during which somebody is catapulted down a long tube into another realm and is returned to the earthly realm soon thereafter. By most accountings, a heart attack, stroke, or any other trauma might lead to somebody having a NDE. However, the pandemic might have changed that dynamic as it has changed so much else in our lives. Might a NDE be triggered by a bout with COVID-19 that ends somebody up in intensive care fighting for their next breath? There no easy answers to that question and there probably never will be. However, Pegi Robinson should have some responses worth considering. She heads up the Mid Ohio Valley chapter of the International Association for Near Death Studies. This North Carolina-based organization is working to increase awareness of NDE and the impact they can have on people. Its web site is http://www.iands.org |
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Mary Verdi Fletcher
Dancing Wheels presents a strong message:
performers in wheelchairs – seated dancers- can navigate around the stage
with as much panache and dexterity as do dancers who move in more
traditional ways. In fact, their presence can make a performance even
more captivating than would otherwise be the case. And it has been pushing
that strong point since it was first conceived by Mary Verdi Fletcher
during 1980. The company has grown over the years until it currently
serves
as a training site for students from around the globe. Born with spina bifida, a condition whereby the spine does not properly fuse, she always wanted to be a dancer. Being involved with Dancing Wheels grants her an opportunity to live out her dream while also helping others to evolve their creativity. During 2014, Mary was awarded the Governor’s Award for Arts Education in Ohio. The group’s web site is http://www.dancingwheels.org |
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Dr. Michael Lewis
Experiencing trouble falling and staying asleep has become a fact of life
for virtually everybody during the pandemic. And there are
many reasons why people are encountering this frustration. Although we
are generally quite active, we are more sedentary now that the economy
remains at least partially closed. So, when we slip into bed we are not as
exhausted and ready to fall asleep as is usually the case. |
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Kristi Horner During their better moments people who are living with
mental illness might appear to be balancing beautifully as they interact
with the world around them. Then, just shortly thereafter, they might
cause alarm as they start acting erratically for no apparent reason. And
that volatility can make nurturing them challenging, particularly during
the pandemic when turbulence has become the new norm. |
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Dr. Steve Webb
As we have been sheltering in our homes, the internet has made us less
isolated than would otherwise be the case; it has allowed us to remain in
constant contact with family and friends. But while it might be serving a
very real purpose as it eases us through hard times, this technology can
also leave us vulnerable to abuses, everything from hacking and identity
theft to cyberbullying.
The latter often involves teens or even younger children. And although it
generally begins with in ways that seem harmless enough - unpleasant
images – it can quickly escalate into threats or, in extreme cases, into
physical violence. How can you, as a parent, make sure your child does not
fall victim to cyberbullying? Or, for that matter how can you make certain
your child does not instigate this harassment?
Dr. Steven Webb, author of the Amazon
best-selling book Education in a Violent World can
provide some helpful responses to these questions. His web site is http://www.safeschoolsystems.org |
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Kyle Woody Being a caregiver for somebody with cancer can prove
stressful under even the very best of circumstances. However, it is likely
to become downright grueling during the pandemic as you are expected to
constantly answer questions that forward no easy responses: Is it safe for
somebody to venture out the house when treatments they are receiving have
left them immunosuppressed, vulnerable to COV-19? Can surgery be safely
delayed as the virus forces us to follow its time table not medical
advice? If you need a short reprieve from your care giving
responsibilities is it safe to have somebody come into your homes and
spell you? |
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Topher Wurts As the word “spectrum” implies, individuals who have
been diagnosed as belonging to the autism spectrum come in a wide range of
different shapes, sizes and personality types. However, many of them do
share one thing in common. They can easily be over stimulated by sights or
sounds that might not necessarily disturb most other people. And that is
why an app – Autism Village - that guides them to places where they will
feel comfortable is so essential to them. But is this app serving any real
purpose when many of the establishments it lists are closed or only open
on a partial basis? And how are folks who are on the spectrum dealing with
the uncertainty that the virus has brought our way? |
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Argerie Vasilakes
The Listening Circle, |
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Bryan Lanham
|
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Dr. Cass Ingram
The pandemic transformed our lives at breakneck speed. We were going about
our business as normal. And then what seemed to be only minutes later we
were tossed into a world that bore an eerie resemblance to “The Twilight
Zone.” |
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Dr. Thelma Reese When future generations talk about our ongoing health emergency, they will no doubt mention the bravery of first responders, medical personnel and others who saved lives. However, some astute individuals might ask hard question that go beyond these facile impressions. Throughout the pandemic we have all been warned that anybody over 60 could more easily fall victim to the virus’ ravages than could younger individuals. Were these warnings based upon solid medical data or were they an indication that ageism – the negative stereotyping of the elderly – was coming into play? Did they fail to take into account the resilience many senior’s display? They do not claim to know the answer to that riddle. But as they wrote “How Seniors are Saving the World: Retirement Activists to the Rescue” BJ Kittredge, a health editor and Dr. Thelma Reese, who blogs at http://www.elderchicks.com, were determined to present their generation in a more positive light than is often the case. |
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Jordan Levine |
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Christopher Cook Since the pandemic has closed schools, many students
have been facing considerable stress as they are separated from a support
system that has long buttressed them. And one particular group of students
might be feeling these pressures even more acutely than are others. They
are participants in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School
District’s Alternative to Expulsion Program. |
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Dr. Connie Siskowski
Being a family caregiver is almost by definition stressful as it involves
nurturing vulnerable individuals on a daily basis. However, that role
becomes particularly challenging when it is being handled by a teen who is
also facing the normal coming of age pressures. And these days the ongoing
health crisis is making matters all the more difficult for these
individuals as it separates them from their schools and other support
systems. |
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Johanna Jameson
The Illinois-based Memory Farm serves as a place where the participants,
many of whom are living with Alzheimer’s, can gain self confidence plus a
sense of purpose by staying physically, cognitively and socially active.
And it carefully tailors activities so that they provide participants with
the best possible benefits, something the fact it has both indoor and
outdoor facilities makes it uniquely qualified to do. However, that is
only one part of what is designed to accomplish. It is also committed to
supporting the individuals who are care partners for the participants.
Among other things it provides them with activity such as yoga, animal
therapy and gardening. |
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Stuart Tomc |
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Jill Cohen Greif has generally interpreted as being a very personal emotion that somebody feels after a loved one has passed. These days, however, it has taken on a much less personal but no less strongly felt meaning. We are all feeling a sense of grief as we realize that our world is being transformed by the virus and do not know what form it will assume when the pandemic eases. And the fact that many of us are spending our days at home – possibly without that much outside contact – is providing these negative feelings with ample opportunity to flourish. And that is why the support that Jill Cohen, a New York City-based grief counselor can prove extremely valuable as our country works its way through this crisis. For well over a decade, she has helped both children and adults who are grieving to understand that they are not alone and support is available. Grief Counseling | New York City | Jill Cohen grief counselor NYC area BEREAVEMENT COUNSELING FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA |
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Genevieve Gipson The group’s web site is
https://cna-network.org/
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Alex Montaldo Research is now ongoing in the hopes of evolving medication or other treatments that will alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). But stoPD (support and training to overcome Parkinson’s Disease) is not waiting for these efforts to produce discernible results. Rather, it is offering participants an array of efforts designed to make their lives more manageable on an immediate basis. Among other things it spearheads a non-impact boxing program that is run out of the Brooklyn-based Gleason’s Gym disease. This effort guides participants through sixty-minute workouts that incorporate stretching, heavy bag work, cardiovascular conditioning, weight training, and balance work. These workouts can benefit fighters in a myriad of ways. It can create new neural pathways in their brains, improve their posture and balance as well as their overall mobility plus elevate their cardiovascular fitness.stoPD was founded in 2014 by Dr. Roberta Marongiu and Alex Montaldo. The group’s web site is http://www.stop-PD.org |
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Dr. Steven Webb
Virtually everybody expresses great concern about the school
violence that has sent shock waves through our country. But
all that concern has not readily translated into responses
that might bring an end to these tragedies. And that is why
the recommendations that Dr. Webb, author of the Amazon
best-seller, Education in a Violent World: A Practical Guide
to Keeping our Kids Safe, has made about these matters merit
strong consideration. |
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Charlie Mosbrook
When he was a younger man, Charlie Mosbrook sang original folk songs to passersby on street corners and subway platforms throughout the eastern United States. He now plays to much larger venues as was the case when he performed at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma. But the fact his audience has increased exponentially has not changed one major aspect of his performances. He always works to build a strong connection with his audience as he spread his message of social justice.
A spinal cord injury that he suffered during 2010 might have
limited his mobility to a considerable extent, but it did not
damper his spirit. In fact, if anything it made Charlie more
determined than ever to share his talent as he travels across
the country. And the ongoing pandemic has also called upon him
to demonstrate his inner strength. |
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Steve Gelerman
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Dr. Cass Ingram Medicinal plant expert Dr. Cass Ingram, warns that bacteria can essentially change their genetic material until they become resistant to virtually all antibiotics. And she further cautions that even if only a small number of bacteria undergo these transformations, they represent a serious danger; as they multiply until they become the new normal. But he does not consider these warning to be a cause for panic. Rather, he believes that the danger drug resistant bacteria represent can be greatly reduced if the use of prescription anti-biotics is curtailed. And she strongly recommends replacing these pharmaceuticals with time-tested all-natural antibiotics - oregano oil, wild raw honey, garlic onions, Turmeric/Curcumin - that have the power to inactivate most pathogens. Dr. Ingram has since written over 20 books on natural healing, including his latest, The Infection Connection A popular media personality, he has appeared on over 5,000 radio and TV shows. His web site is https://cassingram.com/. |
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Kristi Horner
Virtually everybody would agree that living with mental
illness can prove extremely challenging for a myriad of
reasons. If nothing else, you might feel a considerable degree
of isolation as your condition brings in its wake a strong
stigma. But as its name implies, Courage to Caregivers wants
to make people aware that the folks who care for these
resilient individuals might also be facing some serious
struggles. And that is why it constantly stresses that care
givers must make caring for themselves their major priority.
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Bryan Lanham |
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Dr. Michael Lewis |
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Dr. Julie Gatza |
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Christopher Cook
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Topher
Wurts |
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Rebecca Gardner The Gates Mills Environmental Education Center helps students evolve by boosting their knowledge about and their appreciation of our natural environment. And it even goes a step further as it starts them along paths which can turn that knowledge into a profitable career. The environmental center has turned ten acres that once housed a Coast Guard Station into its classroom.In addition to furthering students’ knowledge about commercial horticulture, the two-year programs that it offers - Cleveland Botanical Garden; Horticulture & Gardening Operations; Landscape Construction and Design - can serve as intervention efforts which increase the chances students will graduate. Post secondary opportunities are available at Cuyahoga Community College, ATI/Ohio State University, University of Akron and Kent State University. Students are encouraged to participate in paid internship programs to hone their practical skills. Rebecca Gardner, who graduated from the program, serves as the center’s coordinator. Its web site is http://www.mayfieldschools.org/EnvironmentalEducation.aspx |
Sue Buddenbaum As it recycles flowers that had been used in various events or are the unsold inventory of local stores and delivers them to nursing home residents, BigHearted Blooms brings joy and beauty to individuals who might be finding these things in short supply. And the numbers are impressive. During the past 18 months, this group has delivered 6,500 bouquets of recycled bouquets to recipients in 45 different care facilities located throughout the Cleveland area. Flowers have a very short shelf-life. So, these deliveries have to be made on a tight schedule regardless of weather conditions and other considerations, something that is only possible because the organization has a dedicated crew of volunteers. The group once faced a major challenge when it once had to pick up 90 feet of flowers after a wedding at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Sue Buddenbaum established BigHearted Blooms. The group’s web site is https://www.bigheartedblooms.org/ |
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Dan Barker who once served as an evangelical minister, gained considerable media attention during 1984 when he did something that was clearly unprecedented, not to mention unexpected. He announced that he had become an atheist, making this announcement in the most public way possible - on AM Chicago (then hosted by Oprah Winfrey). And he, subsequently, became the co-president of the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation which promotes the separation of church and state. And he also co-hosts Freethought Radio, which is broadcasted nationally over several different stations and has welcomed, as guests luminaries, such as Steven Pinker and Richard Dawkins. Being an atheist is never easy and, as Dan has learned, it can become particularly challenging during the holiday season when religion becomes front and center in many people’s lives.His organization’s web site is http://www.ffrf.org |
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Bruce Silverglade Like the city – NYC – with which it is
closely linked, Gleason’s gym has passed through its rough
times as well as its glam periods. After Peter Robert
Gagliardi, first established it during the Depression (1937)
he could not charge enough dues to maintain the place. So, he
had to drive a taxi 10 to 12 hours a day just to keep it open.
But during the ensuing years, it has attracted a celebrity
clientele that has included Jake LaMotta, Muhammad Ali and
Roberto Duran and Hillary Swank - as she prepared to star in
Million Dollar Baby. However, Gleason’s current
owner, Bruce Silverglade, is committed to ensuring that the
gym continues to serve people with a wide range of needs, not
just bold face names. He remains particularly proud of its
STOP-PD program, which helps people who are living with
Parkinson gain mobility and strength. |
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Jill Cohen Jill’s web site is http://www.jillgriefcounselor.com |
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Annette Ravinsky Many people almost begin to shake at the mere thought of encountering a rat. That reaction might be triggered by the fact they saw these vermin tormenting humans during horror shows. Or, it might stem from the fact that they unexpectedly met up with one of them in a dark alley and were almost traumatized by that incident. Annette Ravinsky, however, thinks that people who disdain rats are simply not aware that they are actually more playful than they are harmful and can make great pets that demand little in return for their loyalty. They also, she notes, have the distinct advantages of being litter trained and keeping themselves clean. And it is with that thought in mind that she helped to form the Philadelphia Rat Rescue, making them available for adoption and healing them when they need that strong support. The Rat rescue’s facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/PRRPhillyRatRescue |
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Bruce Bogart |
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Kenyatta Neferkare These days, people toss around a lot of
words with more syllables than you might imagine when they
talk about spiritual gifts. For example, the term “empathetic”
is applied to somebody who can sense what other people are
feeling; emotional communication flows between them and the
folks they meet. |
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Anthony Hitch
uses body work – message - to help clients return themselves
to a more stabilized state. But he wants to do more than
simply connect with their body. His goal: turning the sessions
that he shares with clients into nurturing and powerful
experience that leaves them feeling more refreshed. And that
is why he always brings yoga and reiki into the mix during
these meetings. |
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Kyle Woody
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Kate McCamant Cohousing communities combine common
facilities with private homes in the hopes of creating
cohesiveness among residents. Most of these neighborhoods,
which are scattered across the country, are organized as
townhouse or condominium developments that feature a
homeowners association. While the specifics of their
arrangements might vary, they virtually all distinguish
themselves from other communities by their efforts to create
strong cohesiveness among residents. |
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Dr. Connie Siskowsk
Much is being written these days about care giving and the
toll it regularly takes on family members. However, this
dialogue generally focuses upon elderly spouses nurturing one
another or adult children caring for their parents who suffer
from the infirmities of old age. And the fact that literally
millions of young people are making sacrifices as they handle
these responsibilities tends to get lost in the mix. |
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Jordan Levine
These days, much is being said by political candidates and
others about prison reform, keeping people out of these
institutions whenever possible and improving the conditions in
them. However, less is being spoken as regards an essential
question: How can people who have been incarcerated be
returned to society? How can they be granted meaningful
employment when so many businesses are reluctant to hire them
considering their record? |
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Dr. Fran Parker |
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Jay Westbrook
Activism seems to be very much in Jay Westbrook’s DNA. Yet,
throughout his lifetime it has exhibited itself in some very
diverse ways. These days, he devotes himself to his work with
the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. But as a younger man, he
immersed himself in an environment quite removed from the
natural beauty the conservancy seeks to protect: the rough and
tumble world of urban politics. And his political career was
marked by more than his share of both victories and crushing
defeats. |
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Johanna Jameson |
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Eric Anderson |
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Kim Bixenstine
The web site of her law firm – Bixenstine Resolutions – is http://www.bixres.com |
Tommi Avicolli When Tommi Avicolli walked through his
neighborhood as a young man, he delivered a strong message.
Dressed flamboyantly – nail polish, long flowing hair, clothes
that clunk to his slender frame – he announced his life style
in ways that folks in his native South Philly did not always
welcome. Although he realized that his was taking a risk by
being that provocative he felt compelled to announce he was
not moving aside for anybody no matter how much they
disapproved of his orientations. |
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Frank C. Sacco, PhD
The professionals who developed the Create A Peaceful Learning
Environment (CAPSLE) program do not credit the strategies they
have evolved with being able to magically turn schools into
places that nurture all students. But they do maintain that it
can serve to make the environments in these facilities more
conducive to learning. |
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Bruce Silverglade After Peter Robert Gagliardi, first
established Gleason's Gym during 1937 he could not charge
enough dues during the ensuing tough Depression years to
maintain the place. So, he had to drive a taxi 10 to 12 hours
a day just to keep it open. |
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Joe Bautista |
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Dr. Margie Adelman A 2018 survey conducted by the Council for Responsible
Nutrition (CRN) concluded that 75% of Americans 18 and older – an
estimated 190 million people - regularly take a dietary supplement in the
hopes of improving their health. However, Dr. Margie Adelman, a medical
researcher and naturopathic physician, cautions that these impressive
numbers do not necessarily mean that this medication is providing the
promised results. Because the mere fact we put a pill in our mouth and
swallow it, is no guarantee that the nutrients are able to work their way
into our bodies and improve our health. |
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Dr. Julie Garza
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Dan Shaki |
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Bettina Dickson Rusher According to figures published by the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.8 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer's. And that number is likely to grow even higher as America ages. Responding to these figures, a wide range of professionals are working to determine what strategies might best benefit these individuals. Their research has concluded among other things that Alzheimer’s patients respond positively to baby dolls and animals – ones that are cuddly and never bark too loudly or have accidents in the house. Bettina Dickson Rusher and her sister, Frances, reached the same conclusion after working their way through their care giving journey with their mother. Their experiences were, in fact, so strong they decided to start the Georgia-based Memorable Pets which sells a wide array of stuffed animals and baby dolls. This company even markets cats and dogs that have interactive or robotic features. The web site for Memorable Pets is http://memorablepets.com |
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Jim Swanner
If you watch old time Westerns, you will probably see somebody trying to
control a horse. They might be working to tame a wild mustang. Or, they
might be pushing an equine to go faster and faster as they try to outrun
the “bad guys.” Jim Swanner, however, maintains that relationships between
horses and humans do not have to be marked by (sometimes rough) attempts
to overpower animals. |
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Christina Hidek
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Neal Owens
Evidence indicates that sitting under a
bright light lamp
of at least 10,000 lux on a daily basis can help reset your
brain and balance your mood. |
Kristi Horner Until quite recently, mental illness was a taboo topic in our culture, never mentioned much less discussed at length in polite society. Times have changed, however; emotional challenges no matter what form they might take are now being discussed much more openly. And as that has happened, increasing more attention is being paid to individuals who serve as caregivers for those living with mental illness. The Ohio-based Courage to Caregivers is
working to turn that attention into support that can make
caregivers’ efforts less stressful. |
|
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Leah
Cunningham |
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Daniel Neides and Jessica Hutchins When patients come to the Ohio-based Inspire Wellness
they hear a message they probably never previously encountered in a doctor’s
office, but one that both challenges and inspires them: Your body has the
innate ability to restore itself to an optimum balance, with this potential
being stronger than you might have ever imagined it is. And you can tap into
your body’s healing power by providing it with optimal nutrition and opening
all detoxification pathways. Are you ready to be awakened to live your best life and feel amazing instead of just "fine".? Inspire Wellness is a Functional Medicine practice in Cleveland |
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Dr. Cass Ingram |
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Dr. Marilyn Gugliucci
Medical students generally spend much of their time attending classes or
working in laboratories. However, Dr. Marilyn R. Gugliucci was rewarded a
grant by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine to spearhead a
program that utilizes virtual reality to bring them out of what might have
become their comfort zone. Their excursions into cyberspace are designed to
help students at the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic
Medicine better understand the emotions patients encounter as they face
aging and end of life issues. |
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Dr. William Schwab |
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Dr. Michael Lewis
Concussions are often depicted as being an injury that only athletes who
play contact sports sustain. However, research now indicates that a much
broader group of individuals can suffer a mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI),
commonly known as a concussion. In fact, it has been estimated that nearly
three million people every year visit the emergency room for traumatic brain
injuries |
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Paul Sobel
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Anthony Nunez
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Maura Horton |
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Kimberly Wilfong |
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Laura Santoro Observers interpret the term “yoga” in a
myriad of different ways. To some people, it refers to a
discipline whereby practitioners twist their bodies in ways that
seem to defy the fact they are held together by bones instead of
something much more pliable. Others, however, envision “yoga” as
being a modality where by people can transport themselves to a
more peaceful sphere. |
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Lawrence Bocchiere III
These days, people are entering into a wide variety of marriages
that were not even dreamed of ten years ago. Among other things,
there are gay marriages and marriages where the spouses live
busy bi-coastal lives, seeing each other only when it can be
arranged. And while these iterations on traditional marriages
have gained considerable attention unions where one spouse has
become incapacitated and is cared for the other have received
much less note. In fact, they generally remain hidden out of
sight. |
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Terri Corcoran |
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Adrienne Gruberg |
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Joan Hanson |
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Sonia Marcello
is a 3rd year osteopathic medical student at the university, who
participated in both programs. (see below) |
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Jordan Levine |
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Ed Guion |
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Lori Bishop |
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Gary Joseph LeBlanc
founder of
Dementia Mentors
Eric Wegner
is living with dementia and making his diagnosis manageable by
working with Dementia Mentors. Gary also has a web site that offers hints on care giving at http://www.commonsensecaregiving.com . |
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Carter Strang
If you are a woman, or a man, of a certain age, some things are
etched into your mind. You remember exactly where you were when
John Kennedy was shot, when the Beatles first appeared on Ed
Sullivan and also when the four students were killed at Kent
State. The latter memories might be particularly strong for some
individuals because they view them in starkly personal terms.
They feel that it could just as easily been them who was killed
as it was the four young people who met that fate.
Carter Strang has delivered numerous presentations on the Kent
State Tragedies, discussing how the shootings impacted upon him.
He is currently a partner with the Ohio-based Tucker Ellis, with
a primary focus on
environmental, mass tort, and product liability litigation.
Before he attended law school, Carter earned both the Jennings
Scholar and Taft Fellow teaching awards in his career as a high
school teacher and coach. |
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Dan Barker |
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Peggi
Robinson |
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Johanna Jameson
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Shannon Reglus |
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Toni Mulee |
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Louanne
Ludwig
was a driven and successful real estate
agent. However, she maintains that one thing often separated her
from others who enjoyed her bounty. She was restless and
unfulfilled; her disquiet culminated during one hectic season
when she began to sense that could communicate with the Divine.
These sentiments led her on a quest for spiritual enlightenment,
not hot properties, and as her search deepened so did her
feeling of peace and joy as well as a desire to share her
discoveries with others. |
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Philip Stotter
Everybody knows that being physically active could help the ever
increasing number of Americans who are overweight to take off
unwanted pounds. But what might seem like an easy challenge – go
to the gym or just take a brisk walk – can become daunting for
some people whose bulk makes movement uncomfortable. |
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Joan Tabb Her latest book is titled Building Blocks for the NEW retirement: An easy, interactive 8-step guide for a retirement with meaning, purpose and fun. |
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The Barnes Twins |
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Kat Meyer |
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Dr. Clark Echols |
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Karen Hatfield
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Lisa Scotese Gallagher
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Judy Valentine
was still quite young when she first made a name for herself singing around the Boston area. And although many decades have passed since she first ventured on stage – she is now in her 90s – her enthusiasm and ability to connect with audiences captivate people as much today as they ever did. She and her then husband, Sherm Feller – he
eventually became the public address announcer at Boston’s
Fenway Park and a prolific composer – hosted a radio show called
“A Feller and A Girl.” He did most of the announcing but Judy
won renown for her singing. And she gained even more fans as she
performed on an early show for children along with co-star
Carroll Spinney; he soon grew feathers and became the legendary
"Big Bird." Multi-talented, Judy also produced more than 30
recordings including the classic "I'm a Little Tea Pot." |
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Charlie Mosbrook
Throughout his music career, Charlie Mosbrook has always worked
to build a strong connection with his audience. His powerful
baritone plus his expert guitar playing gave voice to that
commitment when, as a young man, he sang original folk songs on
street corners and subway platforms throughout the eastern
United States. |
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Dr. Donna Halper
can claim bragging rights as being both somebody who helped to
mold history as well as somebody who published books about it.
While still in her 20s, she held an administrative position at
the Cleveland-based WMMS, an earlier adapter of a rock and roll
format. |
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Jay Westbrook
when his political passions were fueled when as a child his
family lived in several different Southern states – Arkansas,
Texas, Kentucky, Florida – and he had ample opportunity to see a
broad scope of the American landscape. And then years later when
he moved to Cleveland, Ohio Jay put his fervor into action; he
helped to form Ohio Public Interest which is now Ohio Citizens
Action. Its web site is http://www.wrlandconservancy.org |
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Dr. Marilyn Gugliucci Medical students generally spend much of
their time in the classroom, in laboratories or studying on
their own. But Dr. Marilyn Gugliucci, Professor and Director of
Geriatrics Education and Research at the Maine-based University
of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM)
designed and implemented two initiatives that take them out of
these accustomed environments. |
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Paul Sobel |
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David Nassaney
During 1996, David Nassaney’s wife, Charlene, suffered a massive
stroke that left her with severe speech and mobility
impediments. In time, however, thanks to her strong faith and
determination, she became able to resume many of the activities
that had filled her life before she experienced this trauma. |
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Debra Muzikar |
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Jalaja
Bonheim |
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Lynda Shrager
Her website is
http://www.otherwisehealthy.com |
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Rick Shapiro
The individuals whom Rick Shapiro interviewed for his book
Hope Never Dies: How 20 Late-Stage and Terminal Cancer Patients
Beat the Odds might not think of themselves as being
anything special. But they did manage to accomplish something
that is almost by its very definition miraculous. They survived
a diagnosis of terminal cancer. And the fact that some of them
are still thriving years after they received this dire diagnosis
remains noteworthy in the extreme. Rick's website is http://www.hopeneverdies.com |