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ALL TIMES EASTERN

 

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.

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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.

We welcome your comments and guest suggestions: https://www.facebook.com/JustWannaTalk1/

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April 17, 2019 Show


Sharon Hatfield

During the early 1850s, Jonathan Koons, an Ohio farmer, set out to debunk a nearby medium, but in an ironic twist of fate his efforts led him to evolve into a believer. And eventually, he became inspired to construct a spirit room; it contained, among other things, a modified table (spiritual machine) that acted as a battery which let the spirits manifest themselves plus an eclectic assortment of instruments. At least some visitors came to believe that when Koons played the fiddle the other instruments in the room would join in, playing strange melodies in unison while they danced above the sitters’ heads.

In her book, Enchanted Ground, the Spirit of Jonathan Koons, Sharon Hatfield, an Athens, Ohio native, set out to capture Koons’ flamboyance. And as she relates his story, she dispels the misconception that Koons’ ‘spirit room’ was just a trivial example of the public’s fascination with Spiritualism. She instead presents him as being a major representative of that nineteenth century movement.
 

Dr. Cass Ingram

Virtually everybody is familiar with turmeric, having consumed it in curry powder, as an individual spice added to recipes, or as one of the flavorings for tandoori meat and Indian or African rice dishes. But no matter how many times they might have savored it, most people do not realize this spice has great healing powers. It has been credited with helping people manage, among other disorders, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, gastric disorders, cancer and Crohn Disease.

A nutritional physician, Dr. Cass Ingram has written more than 20 books and has appeared on over 5,000 radio and television shows, as he works to acquaint people with the benefits of tumeric and other spices. He received a B.S. in biology and chemistry from the University of Northern Iowa (1979) and a D.O. from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA (1984). His latest book is The Wild Turmeric Cure.

Dr. Ingram’s web site is http://www.cassingram.com

 

April 3, 2019 Show

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.

When a medical student puts on a head set and becomes Clay, a 66-year-old male veteran with terminal lung cancer who experiences being communicated bad news, goes on hospice and eventually dies at home. Other labs include becoming a person with macular degeneration and hearing loss or a person with dementia.

You can read more about Dr. Gugliucci’s work at this link. She serves as director of Geriatrics Education and Research at her Maine-based college.

Dr. William Schwab

Medicare, Medicaid and other governmental programs help to ensure that seniors receive the health care they need. But they do not always take into account the fact that many challenges – mobility issues, dementia - might make it difficult, if not virtually impossible, for an elder to keep appointments in a doctor’s offices. Thankfully, however, efforts such as University Hospital’s Medical House Calls Program, make this lapse less burdensome as they bring physicians and other professionals into patients’ residences.

This service might be particularly valuable for individuals who are returning home after a hospital stay and need to have their condition carefully monitored. It might, likewise, benefit caregivers in many ways. They are relieved from the strain they might encounter as they transport their elder to a medical facility, and are put into contact with valuable support - skilled nursing, nutritional counseling or wound care. Dr. William Schwab is a geriatrician who treats patients through this program.

You can find out more about UH’s Medical House Calls Program at this link.

 

March 20, 2019 Show

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

These injuries can result from something as commonplace as slipping down the stairs or banging into an open cupboard. And although they might appear to be the sort of thing that will resolve itself with time, they can result in long term consequences – an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

However, people can protect themselves against falling into that downward spiral. In his breakthrough book, When Brains Collide, Dr. Michael Lewis explains how therapeutic doses of omega-3 rich fish oil and hemp-derived CBD oil can effectively assist in the prevention, management, and healing of concussions.

Dr. Lewis’ web site is http://braincare.center/

 

Paul Sobel


At one point it was easier for seniors to age in place than might be the case today because they could rely upon the ongoing support from their neighbors. And members of the virtual villages that are now scattered across our country are working diligently to help members remain in their homes by providing one another with that exact same kind of assistance. One member might, for example, offer another member rides and in return receive some assistance as she completes needed home repairs.

This movement was born in 2001 in Boston, when a group of residents got together to form the Beacon Hill Village. Now, according to the Village to Village Network website, there are 200 open Villages and more than 150 in development stages scattered throughout the country.

Village in the Heights is one of them. Paul Sobel was instrumental in establishing it earlier this year. This organization’s web site is http://www.villageintheheights.org/  ; it serves residents of eastern Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) suburbs.

Home - Village in the Heights
To support seniors aging in place in University Heights, OH. Welcome! Village in the Heights is a member driven organization of neighbors living in the eastern Cleveland, OH suburbs.
 

 

March 6, 2019 Show

Anthony Nunez

When we were young, many of us read books, such as One Thousand and One Nights and fantasized about having a genii who would answer all our wishes. Well, for some people getting older means that they really do have a genii of sorts willing to serve them. He goes by the name of Randy and was developed by the Virginia-based INF Robotics.

Rudy is designed to encourage his owners to become actively engaged in the world around them; with this engagement being specifically designed for each separate individual. He is, likewise, easy to use, intuitive actually; he responds to straightforward voice commands. And his personality – if, in fact, a robot can actually have a personality – promotes interactions.

Anthony Nunez, CEO and founder of INF Robotics, has worked in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for decades, writing extensively on these subjects and serving as a guest speaker at the Smithsonian. His company’s web site is http://www.infrobotics.com 
 

Maura Horton

We have all heard the old adage that could be paraphrased as “clothes make the woman (man).” Well, the North Carolina-based MagnaReady is adding a new twist to that saying. The machine washable shirts it markets are held together with magnets instead of with buttons. So, people who have a wide range of physical challenges gain self-confidence and independence as they can easily manipulate them on their own.

Maura Horton is the Founder and President of this North Carolina-based business. She evolved the idea for her company’s product when her husband, Don, was embarrassed when his lack of muscular mobility made it difficult for him to button his shirts. A college football coach, he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at an early age,

MagnaReady’s web site is http://www.magnaready.com  .

This firm sells shirts for boys at Magnamini. This company’s motto is “authenticity is magnetic.”

 

February 20, 219 Show

Kimberly Wilfong

Caring for a family member or other loved one can provide people with an opportunity to discover and then develop talents that they have talents they never realized they had. For example, somebody who never figured they were much of a cook might discover that they can prepare a very tasty meal when their care recipient needs that support. Or, somebody else might be surprised to learn that they had more of a knack for home maintenance than they ever expected they could.

However, despite the fact that it can prove self-affirming care giving can also prove exhausting in the extreme. And when the stress becomes too severe, they might benefit greatly if their elder spends some time in hospice, such as the one administered by the Ohio-based Cardinal Court Special Care Alzheimer’s Center.  Kimberly Wilfong is Resource Director. The website for that respite facility is http://www.jeaseniorliving.com/senior-living/oh/strongsville 
 

 

February 6, 2019 Show

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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.

And then, there are also individuals – Laura Santoro (Atmadarshan - "Vision of the true Self") is a prime example of that grouping – who believe that there is no real distinction between these two understandings. By their accounting, yoga enables practitioners to expand both their body and their mind in more directions than they had ever imagined.

Atmadarshan, who has an academic background in psychology as well as in biology, teaches both personal and corporate classes. She also worked for years in hospitals plus has a Black belt ranking in Aikido through Aikido Schools of Ueshiba You can learn more about her work at https://www.dharmakshetrayoga.com/atmadarshan
 

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.

And Well Spouse is working to change that lack of recognition as it supports these individuals. Formed in 1988, this New Jersey-based organization offers support groups and is also serves as a resource center.

Lawrence Bocchiere III is President Emeritus and Chairman of the Well Spouse Association. He cared for his spouse for 17 years and is now remarried to another former caregiver, an arrangement he claims is fairly common.

The web site for Well Spouse is http://www.wellspouse.org

 

January 19, 2019 Show

Terri Corcoran


Caregiving involves nurturing vulnerable people on an ongoing basis, so it is stressful by anybody’s definition. It, however, can become particularly challenging when it becomes intertwined into the special relationship that spouses share. And that is why the New Jersey-based Well Spouse organization is committed to assisting individuals who find themselves handling these duties. It administers support groups that meet either in person or via phone calls and, among other things, it also offers members annual workshops, social events, special tours and conference sessions.

Terri Corcoran cared for her husband, who was physically and mentally disabled by a genetic neurodegenerative illness, during almost the entirety of their 17-year marriage. She received support from Well Spouse while her husband was still alive and has continued to be active in this organization since he died during 2016, serving as its PR Chairperson and co-editor of its bi-monthly newsletter Mainstay

Well Spouse’s web site is http://www.wellspouse.org 

 

Adrienne Gruberg

What does a young girl - possibly, like the one pictured here - who occasionally helps her elderly grandmother cook meals have in common with a middle aged woman who tends to her disabled husband on a daily basis? Well, according to the definition that the Caregiver Space has evolved, they are both caregivers. And it maintains that term might also apply to a middle-aged woman who takes her father shopping every week.

No matter what role somebody is assuming as a caregiver, the Caregiver space strives to lend them the support that they need as they handle their commitments. This organization runs online support groups for young caregivers, spousal caregivers, caregiving daughters, caregiving sons and caregiving parents. And it even has a group for people who are experiencing grief after their care recipient passes.

Adrienne Gruberg took care of her husband and mother-in-law until they died of cancer. She founded the site to support other caeregivers.

The organization’s web site is http://www.thecaregiverspace.org

 

January 2, 2019 Show

Joan Hanson


Through its Navigator Program, the Ohio-based Hospice of the Western Reserve delivers palliative care to patients in a broad variety of different settings: in hospices, in private homes, in assisted living facilities. Although it is not designed to be curative, palliative care can greatly benefit patients as it helps them manage their pain.

And if they chose, they can continue to pursue aggressive treatment or further diagnostic testing while they are receiving this care. The Navigator Team is comprised of Advanced Practice Nurses, social workers and trained volunteers. A nurse is always on duty at a hotline it administers. Joan Hanson directs that hospice’s navigator services.

The Navigator program is not the only innovative effort that the hospice has established. Another example: the S.T.A.R.S. program - Supporting Tears, Anger, Remembrance & Sadness - which buttresses students who have experienced the death of a loved one.

The hospice’s web site is http://hospicewr.org
 

 

December 19, 2018 Show

Sonia Marcello

is a 3rd year osteopathic medical student at the university, who participated in both programs. (see below)

 Students who participate in “Learning by Living Nursing Home Immersion Project” are admitted into a nursing home where they live the life of a resident for approximately two weeks – 24/7, receiving both a diagnosis and standard care procedures. And students who take part in the 48 Hour Hospice Home Immersion Project reside in an 18 bed acute care in-patient hospice home for 48 hours. They sleep in a bed where many others have died. However, instead of being recipients of care the students are working with the hospice staff to provide inter-professional care for patients, support for family members and post mortem care after the patient dies.
 

Jordan Levine


Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute, a 501 (c) organization, not only grants formerly incarcerated men and women training in the hospitality industry. It also supports them as they complete their training by offering them free housing, legal counsel, basic medical care, clothing, job coaching, literacy programs.

And thanks to the comprehensiveness of its efforts, it has a very impressive success rate; 97% of those who complete its program find employment and only 5% return to jail. Edwins currently runs two French restaurants and it is in the process of opening a butcher shop.

Edwin's website, which in addition to providing essential information about that organization’s restaurants also offers online cooking courses, is http://www.edwinsrestaurant.org 

Jordan Levine, Edwins’ General manager, has been working at restaurants since he was 16; he washed dishes in his cousin’s pizza parlor before moving up to cooking and serving responsibilities. Since that time, he has expanded his culinary skills to include Middle Eastern and French cooking. A man of many talents, he spends his free time reading and playing the guitar.

 

December 5, 2018 Show

Ed Guion


Decades ago, when people began to need a little extra help as they aged, arrangements were made for them to live in a little house next to the main house. And admiring the way that arrangement made it possible for families to care for one another, Ed Guion wanted to bring it up to date. So, he developed a prototype that evolved into the Elder Cottage concept which has been featured on the NBC Nightly News and the Today Show plus the AARP’s Modern Maturity Magazine.

Priced at between $44,960.00 and $60,440.00, depending upon their size and the number of rooms they feature, Elder Cottages remain quite affordable when compared to the expense of retirement community housing of similar dimensions. However, despite the fact that they have many strong selling points, zoning regulations plus other factors, might not make these structures a viable option for every family.


The web site for Elder Cottages is http://www.eldercottages.com 

Lori Bishop

As Americans are aging, dialogues about end of life care have moved out of the shadows and into the mainstream. And that openness has translated into increasingly more American coming to understand that they this care can be delivered through a myriad of available options. The Alexandria Virginia-based National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is working hard to further this dialogue by remaining active on many different levels: legislative, training, support to those receiving care and advocacy. It even offers a series of online classes and webcasts .

This organization defines “palliative care” in very inclusive terms, “family-centered (end of life) care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and treating suffering.” And it stresses that this care might be delivered in a wide variety of different setting: a home, a hospital a hospice.

Lori Bishop services as this organization’s Vice President of Palliative & Advanced Care.

https://www.nhpco.org
 

 

November 21, 2018 Show

Gary Joseph LeBlanc founder of  Dementia Mentors

Eric Wegner is living with dementia and making his diagnosis manageable by working with Dementia Mentors.

Being diagnosed with any serious illness would leave virtually anybody terrorized. However, being told that you have dementia might have a particularly strong impact on many individuals as they equate it with losing their memory and subsequently themselves.

The Florida-based Dementia Mentors gives people who receive that diagnosis hope by connecting them through online video chats with another individual who has that same type of cognitive impairment. These dialogues offer them, among other things, practical advice that can make living with their condition more manageable.

And in addition to granting people an opportunity to discuss their symptoms, this organization also offers virtual memory cafes, a venue where people can share thoughts and opinions not necessarily related to their disease.

Gary Joseph LeBlanc who has long worked as a columnist and adviser to care facilities on dementia related matters started Dementia Mentors. The group’s web site is http://www.dementiamentors.org.

Gary also has a web site that offers hints on care giving at http://www.commonsensecaregiving.com  .

 

November 7, 2018 Show

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.

Dan Barker

A former evangelical minister and graduate from the Azusa Pacific University, Dan Barker, gained considerable media coverage during1984 by doing the unexpected. He announced that he had become an atheist and subsequently appeared on AM Chicago (then hosted by Oprah Winfrey), proclaiming that he had “kicked the religion habit.”

Dan currently serves as the co-president of the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation which promotes the separation of church and state. A show he co-hosts, Freethought Radio, is broadcasted nationally over several different stations. It has welcomed a wide variety of freethinkers - Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Steven Pinker, Julia Sweeney, and Michael Newdow.

His newest book is Free Will Explained: How Science and Philosophy Converge to Create a Beautiful Illusion.

A Baby Boomer, Dan works to stay young by playing professional jazz piano and walking the three miles between his home and his office every day.

His organization’s web site is http://www.ffrf.org

 

October 17, 2018 Show

Peggi Robinson

When people think about near death experiences some strong images pop into their heads. Somebody who has suffered an accident or medical trauma, such as a heart attack, is swept along a tunnel towards a bright light. However, instead of continuing along their journey to this light, they are hurled back to earth; it is not their time.

The North Carolina-based The International Association for Near Death Studies, however, maintains that a large percentage of NDEs diverge from this scenario in important ways. But it notes that no matter what form they assume these incidents deeply touch their people who experience them and might result in their needing support that will help them process these powerful incidents. And it is working to make their adjustment easier by increasing greater awareness of NDE and the impact they can have.

This organization’s web site is http://www.iands.org . Pegi Robinson heads up its Mid Ohio Valley Chapter.

 

Johanna Jameson


The staff at the Illinois-based Memory Farms does not claim that it can cure dementia. Rather, they recognize that it might be decades before medical science has progressed to the point where it can reverse memory loss. However, they do pride themselves upon helping people who are experiencing memory loss rebuild their self confidence through physical activity.

Visitors to the farm participate among other things in animal therapy – the facility has therapy dogs and goats – yoga and safe wandering. The latter involves encouraging them to explore the property that has wandering stations which offer a variety of physical and cognitive activities.

And the farm also offers services for caregivers, individuals whose commitments to their care recipient often leave them depleted and stressed. These offerings include respite care, support groups, counseling services plus an opportunity to share activities with their loved one.

The web site for the farm which was opened earlier this year is https://memoryfarmllc.com  Johanna Jameson was instrumental in establishing it.

 

October 4, 2018 Show

Shannon Reglus


During previous decades, when somebody could no longer carry out what are often termed activities of daily living few options were available to them. (ADLs include: feeding; toileting; selecting proper attire; grooming; maintaining continence; putting on clothes; bathing, walking and transferring, which involves moving from a bed to wheelchair.) They were sent to institutions that were not always as client-centered as might be desirable. Now, however, people are finding that other alternatives, ones that they might guarantee their comfort to a greater extent, are available to them.

A case in point is the Lantern, which is dedicated to helping people in need of memory care function at their highest potential as they live in a home-like environment. The centerfolds of its Fountain of Life program -“Brain Power” and ‘Svayus” - work to promote healthy aging as they keep clients’ minds and bodies active.

The Lantern has three Ohio-based locations. Its web site is http://www.lanternlifestyle.com  . Shannon Reglus serves as this organization’s director of marketing and admissions.

Toni Mulee

People who are living with Down Syndrome have an extra copy/ partial extra copy of their 21st chromosome, an anomaly that can cause them to experience intellectual and physical challenges. Yet, The Upside of Downs , is committed to spreading the message that despite the fact that they might need specialized medical care, these individuals can still contribute to society in many wonderful ways. Among other thing, they can attend school, work, form close relationships and participate in decisions that affect them. As is the case with virtually everybody else they simply need a chance to develop and then showcase their talents or abilities.

Toni Mullee became the executive director of this organization 5 years ago after having spent 12 years working in non-profits. In addition to conducting advocacy this non-profit holds an annual fundraiser, called the Buddy Walk, and provides support and education for families.

The group’s website is http://www.theupsideofdowns.org/

 

September 19, 2018 Show

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.

And that is why she has worked assiduously to develop her ability to either read dreams or deliver psychic readings. She has come to believe that: "All dreams are filled with metaphors meant to help us see what is going on in our lives through the eyes of higher consciousness."

Her book is titled, A Journey Within, and her web site where you can arrange for a psychic reading or a dream analysis is http://www.louanneludwig.com

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.

The Cleveland-based Club Fitness can, however, make the challenges they face surmountable by boosting participants’ strength, agility, balance, flexibility, endurance and motor control rather upon guiding them to compete in triathlons.

The key "product" at Club Fit is Active Aging 360, a large piece of gym-like equipment that has eight stations simulating day-to-day functional tasks. At each station is a small screen programmed with a virtual coach, known as AAVA, who offers instruction and guidance tailored to the individual.

Club Fit’s web site is www.clubfitltd.com  . It is owned by Philip Stotter, a former physical therapist who invented much of the equipment in this facility.

 

September 5. 2018 Show

Joan Tabb

Many aging Baby Boomers face retirement with great anticipation, remaining convinced that it will free them from work routines that have become burdensome and allow them to progress along paths of their own choosing. Others, however, remain fearful about leaving the work force. What will they do during the decades of life that lie ahead of them after they close their office door for the last time? Hoping to ease their distress, Joan Tabb has outlined some guidelines they might follow as they come to accept retirement as being an opportunity, not something to dread.

Joan brings the experience she garnered during a twenty-year career at major corporations - Apple, 3Com, Intel - to her work as a career and executive coach. Her web site is http://www.Greatin8coaching.com 

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.

The Barnes Twins

Over the years, Washington Square has gained renown for nurturing talent that later enjoyed great acclaim. Bob Dylan and Ramblin’ Jack Elliot are only two examples of people who have basked in its glory and moved on from that point. And because this park, with its arc that seems to spread over everything, has a reputation for putting people on track to live out their dreams, it attracts street performers of every shape and size.

Identical twins Kareem (Tac) Barnes and Tyheem (Tic) Barnes are only two examples of people who have enlivened that open space in the hopes of boosting their career. By virtually all accounts, their show which features the twins jumping over groups of people – all sizes, all shapes, all ethnic backgrounds - remains immensely entertaining, mixing drama with good natured bantering. However, complaints have been lodged against their shows which attract loud crowds and can become a bit boisterous. Such is the life of the street performer.

Tic and Tac’s website is http://www.ticandtac.com  You can view their performances on link

 

August 15, 2018 Show

Kat Meyer

After Rebecca Meyer was diagnosed with a brain tumor (grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma) during August of 2013, her parents searched all possible treatment options. However, despite their valiant efforts and her considerable courage, Rebecca died on June 7, 2014, her sixth birthday. At that point she had endured almost 10 months of radiation, chemotherapy and experimental trials.

In the months after Rebecca’s death, the Meyer family took several trips together to work through their grief. And they found that being separated from their usual routine – daily chores, school, work - during these vacations, proved healing. So, they decided to form Rebecca’s Gift as a means of providing other grieving families with the same space away from their mourning they had enjoyed. During the ensuing years they raised NEED A Dollar Amount to help send six grieving families on vacations.

Kathryn Meyer, Rebecca’s mother, was instrumental in establishing this Cleveland-based program.

The organization’s website is http://www.rebeccasgift.org
 

Dr. Clark Echols


Our world is changing and behavior that was once acceptable when men interacted with women is now viewed in strong “Time Over” terms. And Clark Echols, MDiv, MA, LPCC, would like to see this cultural upheavals go a step further. A counselor, he not only wants to help his clients become accountable for their actions towards others but also more accountable to themselves as they grow more closely connected to their inner feelings.

Clark was employed for 32 years as an ordained pastor in the New Church, which follows the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg. He now works with individuals as well as with couples, helping them to cope with anxiety, depression or PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). An activist, he has also been instrumental in forming CMG (Cincinnati Men’s Gathering), which works to guide members towards a fuller understanding of their masculinity. Mutual support remains its guiding mantra.

Clark’s website is http://www.clarkechols.com 
 

 

August 1, 2018 Show

Karen Hatfield

Often, when children suffer a loss they cope by showing a brave face to the world instead of allowing themselves to heal as they openly express their pain. And that is why the Together We Can bereavement camps sponsored by the Hospice of the Western Reserve can play such an important part in their life. Within their welcoming confines, campers spend time with other kids who have experienced the death of someone special, and benefit from activities that encourage expression of feelings, enhanced coping, and remembering and honoring the person who died.

Hospice of the Western Reserve offers a variety of Together We Can camps and family events ranging from several hours to several days in different locations. From a family event at Mentor Headlands Beach, to working and riding horses in collaboration with Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, campers have multiple options for sharing their stories, understanding their grief and having fun at the same time.

Karen Hatfield is Team Leader for Counseling Services for Hospice of the Western Reserve. She part of the team who develops and facilitates the camps offered each year.
 

Lisa Scotese Gallagher

Residents at the Ohio-based Hospice of the Western Reserve might find it virtually impossible to revisit a locale that they remember with great fondness. Thanks to modern technology in the form of drones, however, they can make one last trip to a place, possibly an ancestral home or simply a local park, that has special meaning for them.

Flight to Remember makes their adventures possible. Formed during 2017 by Tom Davis, its pilots go to a site a patient has selected and capture videos of it by flying unmanned aerial systems (drones) as much as 400 feet above it.

These videos are then live streamed to the patient. And they also receive a highlight reel as they watch it accompanied by family and friends.

More information about this program can be downloaded at this link: http://www.hospicewr.org/western-reserve-carelink/Pages/Hospice-Patients-Take-Flight.aspx

Lisa Scotese Gallagher is the Director of Staff Experience at the hospice and she has been an essential part of making this program a reality.

 

July 18, 2018 Show

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."

You can read more about Judy’s career at http://www.thefullwiki.org/Judy_Valentine

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.

And he remains true to it today as he travels across the country often by train, spreading the social justice message his music delivers. A spinal chord injury Charlie suffered during 2010 has limited his mobility but it has not dampened his spirit; in fact, it has made him more determined than ever to share his talent.

Earlier this year, Charlie's song "Remember Who We Are" was selected as the 2nd place winner of the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival songwriting contest. He has been invited to perform that composition on the main stage of that event in Okemah, Oklahoma.

Charlie’s website is http://www.charliemosbrook.com
 

 

July 4, 2018 Show

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.

And then decades later, she later gained renown as the author of six books and numerous articles. Her most recent book is a newly revised and expanded second edition of Invisible Stars: A Social History of Women in American Broadcasting, published during March 2014. She was previously the author of Boston Radio 1920-2010, which tells the story of Boston radio in words and pictures, which was published during 2011.

Donna currently teaches at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts; her areas of expertise are media ethics, media stereotypes, and social history. She has also worked as an advocate for an adult with autism, a mentor, a tutor, and a Big Sister.

Her website is http://www.donnahalper.com 

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.

Eventually, his activism led to his being appointed to Cleveland City Council. The Council President, George Forbes, with whom Jay had strong political differences managed to block that appointment. But Jay was eventually elected to council and even ended up serving as its president.

After more than 30 years serving on council, however, Jay decided that it was time for him to utilize his talents in a different venue and he is now working as the Special Projects Manager of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s Thriving Communities Institute This organization seeks to promote responsible land use both in Cleveland and throughout Cuyahoga County.

Its web site is http://www.wrlandconservancy.org 

 

June 6, 2018 Show

 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.

These projects immerse medical students and other health professions students into acute care hospice homes and nursing homes so that they walk in the shoes or propel themselves in the wheelchairs of others to better empathize with what their patients and family members are feeling, working against a trend whereby medicine has become depersonalized and technology driven.

Students who participate in the “Learning by Living Nursing Home Immersion Project” are admitted into a nursing home by Dr. Gugliucci so they can then live the life of a resident for approximately two weeks – 24/7, receiving both a diagnosis and standard care procedures. And students who take part in the 48 Hour Hospice Home Immersion Project reside in an 18 bed acute care in-patient hospice home for 48 hours; sleeping in a bed where many others have died, but instead of being recipients of care the students are working with the hospice staff to provide Inter-professional care for patients, support for family members and post mortem care after the patient dies.

You can read more information about Dr. Gugliucci’s work at this link

Paul Sobel

In responding to AARP surveys, at least 90 percent of the respondents indicated that they want to remain in their own homes as they age. And Virtual Villages are designed to make it easier for them to age in place by returning to the neighbor helping neighborhood model that was the norm in America during previous decades. Earlier this year, Paul Sobel was instrumental in establishing Village in the Heights which serves several Cleveland, Ohio suburbs.

The virtual village idea was born in 2001 in Boston, when a group of residents got together to form the Beacon Hill Village. Now, according to the Village to Village Network website, there are 200 open Villages and more than 150 in development stages scattered throughout the country.

Earlier this year, Paul Sobel was instrumental in establishing Village in the Heights which serves several Cleveland, Ohio suburbs. He has long worked on aging issues. His organizations website is http://www.villageintheheights.org/

 

May 16, 2018 Show

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.

And David also found that he could challenge himself in new ways as he became committed to supporting others who were also serving as caregivers for loved ones. He began hosting a podcast plus a weekly radio show called “Dave, the Caregiver’s Caregiver, Avoiding Burnout.”

And he also became a best-selling author. His third book is It’s My Life Too! Reclaim Your Caregiver Sanity by Learning When To Say “Yes,” and When To Say “No” a volume he has marketed by appearing on more than 25 morning shows.

David has, likewise, formed a support group which members can join through his website http://www.davethecaregiverscaregiver.com/  and grants them 24/7 online support, live weekly calls and practical solutions to the problems they are facing.

 Debra Muzikar

“Autism” defies any effort to define it 25 words or less. And that is the case because that term applies to a very wide spectrum of social and communication challenges, repetitive behaviors, sensory hypersensitivity that might not be typical of the public as a whole. However, as the Art of Autism is fast to point out people who are diagnosed as being “autistic” might have their real challenges but they also have unique strengths and sensitivities.

And to make people aware of that fact The Art of Autism is committed to providing a showcase of blogs, gallery art and films through its website and events. It also seeks to foster independence and self-esteem among its participants, as it encourages them to develop new skills and monetize their artistic and other efforts. It was formed during 2005 and its website attracts 2700 visitors daily. Debra Muzikar was a co-founder of this group.

This organization’s website is http://www.the-art-of-autism.com 
 

 

May 2, 2018 Show

Jalaja Bonheim


Circlework has the power to create sanctuaries where participants experience healings as they openly discuss abuse or other pain they have long kept hidden. More than anything else, they enjoy authentic intimacy, a life enhancing closeness that might not be available to them elsewhere. Joining in activities that grant them a greater awareness of their physical and spiritual selves encourages them to think with their hearts rather than with their heads.

Jalaja Bonheim is one of the one of the world’s foremost experts in the use of circle gatherings to empower and heal participants. The founder of the Institute for Circlework, she has trained hundreds of professionals to become Circlework leaders and she has even led groups that included both Palestinian and Jewish members. Her new book – The Magic of Circlework: The Practice Women Around the World Are Using to Heal and Empower Themselves – details in depth the essentials of this practice.

Jalaja’s web site is http://www.jalajabonheim.com

 

April 18, 2018 Show

Lynda Shrager


Subtle differences in their behavior have gradually become less subtle over the years. They might not be walking with the same sprightly gait they once did. Or, newspapers might be beginning to pile up on their front steps. So, you have become convinced your parents are having trouble managing their affairs, and that realization worries you.

However, you dread having what might be termed the talk, a frank discussion about the fact that they need some help. That is where Lynda A. Shrager’s book – Age In Place: A Guide to Modifying, Organizing, and Decluttering Mom and Dad’s House – will come in handy.

Lynda’s newspaper column, Mom’s RX, has appeared in countless newspapers across the country, and she is a featured columnist for Everyday Health, one of the country’s leading health websites. She has practiced in the medical field of geriatric rehabilitation for more than 37 years.

Her website is http://www.otherwisehealthy.com 
 

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.

A health crisis led Rick to write this book. During 2001, the results of many tests led his doctors, who suspected he might have cancer, to suggest that he should have a liver biopsy. But instead of following this suggestion, he drastically transformed his nutritional habits, consuming mostly plant-based foods and freshly made veggie juices. And within a relatively short period of time his body showed no evidence of liver disease.
Rick's website is http://www.hopeneverdies.com

 

April 4, 2018 Show

 Kathy Hatfiel

An AARP survey concluded that nearly 90 percent of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age, being able to age in place. And numerous other surveys have replicated these results. However, saying that you want something and being able to make it a reality are often two different things. So, people often have to move into an institution, even if that arrangement was hardly their first choice.

But times have changed and today’s nursing homes are not necessarily the sort of impersonal places that they have often been envisioned as being. Efforts are ongoing to make these institutions more homey, not to mention more sensitive to individual needs or desires.

Kathy Hatfield is proud that she has been a part of that effort. She was instrumental in establishing the North Carolina-based Almost Home Group which administers three homes in that state. Her organization’s web site is http://www.almosthomegroup.com  .

 

March 21, 2018 Show

Garry Berman
 

These days it is almost hip and trendy not to own a television – or for that matter, a radio. Computers and mobile devices that can stream pretty much everything have made this technology obsolete for some people. However, things were very different when the Baby Boomers, folks born right after World War II, were coming of age.

Televisions and radios, bulky as they might have been at that point, were front and center during that historical juncture. They blared during times when entire families were gathered together in their living rooms and during times when teens journeyed out on their own. And Garry Berman has made a career out of writing about these cultural happenstances; the Beatles and comedians such as Ed Wynn remain an ongoing fascination for him.

Garry has also written in collaboration with Kelly Marie Thompson, a native of South Shields, England on comedy scripts and on a book From Me To You.  His web site is http://www.garryberman.com

Molly McMahon

Molly McMahon Graziano is a founding member of Ohio End of Life Options.

Its web site is http://www.ohiooptions.org


As is the case elsewhere, Americans have traditionally been reluctant to even discuss, much less to legislate, end of life issues. However, all of that is beginning to change as witnessed by the fact that five states – Oregon (1994/1997) Washington (2008), Vermont (2013), California (2016), Colorado (2016) - and Washington D.C. (2017) now have Death With Dignity laws.

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March 7, 2018 Show

Kathy Hatfield

Nursing homes are often perceived as being insensitive to individual needs, the last place in the world you would want to spend your declining years. But, as it strives to live up to its name, the North Carolina-based Almost Home Group has long worked to prove that these facilities can be reconfigured to offer more personalized care. The three homes it administers are not only welcoming and homelike but also committed to benefiting residents by keeping them as mentally and physically active as possible.

Kathy Hatfield’s life underwent a major change during 2004 when she became the major support for her father who was then in the middle stages of Alzheimer, a condition that he would live with for 12 years. As she nurtured him through his journey, she quickly learned that there is an acute need for facilities that can properly care for people with memory loss. What she discovered led her to form the Almost Home Group, whose web site is http://www.almosthomegroup.com 
 

 

February 21, 2018 Show

Mark Cheplowitz

At the end of the 1939 classic movie “The Wizard of Oz,” the wizard is exposed as being nothing but a charlatan hiding behind a curtain. As he produces extravaganzas for the Wizard of Ahs, however, Mark Cheplowitz prides himself upon taking an approach very much the opposite of the one the wizard assumed. While that creation of Hollywood was obviously trying to pull a ruse on Dorothy and her friends, Mark works to ensure that his shows are much more than just smoke and dagger routines lacking in substance. He considers himself to be an educator as well as a showman, as he helps people come to feel awed by the nature of the event they are attending.

Over the last 35 years, Mark has produced events for NBA All-Star Game and championship festivities and MLB All-Star and World Series events. He has also produced numerous musical stadium concerts, featuring entertainers such as Aerosmith, Ringo Starr and Aretha Franklin.

The Wizard of Ahs' web site is http://www.wizardofahs.com

Dale Picard

Some of the canines that are trained through East Coast Assistance Dogs work as service dogs for clients who have a broad variety of challenges, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons Disease, Vertigo, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy or Spinal Cord injuries. Others, meanwhile, become facility dogs as they find their callings in hospitals, nursing homes court rooms and many other locations where they support distressed individuals. No matter where they might end up working their magic, however, all of these animals have one thing in common. Because they have an abundance of patience and love they are often able to support people in ways that another human simply could not.

Lu Picard and her husband, Dale, formed ecad more than 30 years ago, coming to this venture with considerable experience at administering businesses. This organization currently has facilities in both New York and Connecticut and has placed animals in 12 different states. Web site is http://www.ecad1.org
 

 

February 7, 2018 Show

William Pullen

 Fitness enthusiasts often claim that you have to engage in very strenuous workouts to gain any tangible results. But, at least as Psychotherapist William Pullen describes it Dynamic Running Therapy (DRT) takes a much gentler approach. It maintains that virtually any form of exercise has the power to guide us out of emotional pain as long as it is practiced with mindfulness and it can become particularly valuable when combined with talk therapy.

William maintains that DRT can benefit a large hare of the 18.1 million American adults who are afflicted with anxiety, even if their fitness level is far from optimum. By his accounting, far too many of them are turning to therapies – pharmaceuticals, talk therapy – that often prove ineffective over time.

More information about DRT can be found in William’s book Running with Mindfulness: Dynamic Running Therapy (DRT) to Improve Low Mood, Anxiety, Stress, and Depression . His web site is http://dynamicrunningtherapy.co.uk/
 

Noreen Renier

Police officers generally conduct criminal investigations by collecting hard evidence – cell phones or even a few strands of DNA left behind at a crime scene. On the other hand, however, psychics almost by definition rely upon their intuitions when attempting to crack a challenging case. So, it would seem logical to conclude that two will never find themselves working harmoniously as a team, but Noreen Renier has long attempted to disprove that assumption.

A well-known psychic detective, she has worked on over 600 unsolved cases with city, county, and state Law Enforcement Agencies. Yet, she strongly believes that psychic like herself should only be brought in as a last resort when professionals using more traditional methods have hit dead ends in their efforts to untangle difficult cases.

Noreen’s web site is  http://www.noreenrenier.com  And she discusses her career which has had its share of successes – not to mention more than a few controversies in her book “A Mind for Murder.”

 

 

January 17, 2018 Show

Dr. Ann Faraone

Being a caregiver, assuming responsibility for a vulnerable person, is almost by its very nature stressful for anybody. But it is particularly challenging for young people who are just past the stage when they needed a watchful eye to ensure their own safety.

Yet, the American Association for Caregiving Youth notes that nationwide there are approximately 1.3 to 1.4 million child caregivers between the ages of 8 and 18. To put that figure into perspective, it surpasses the total number of students currently enrolled in grades 3 – 12 in New York City, Chicago and the District of Columbia.

When the AACY was established during 1998, it focused almost exclusively on people who were housebound and caregiving families in Boca Raton, Florida. Now, however, it has expanded its efforts to support youth who sacrifice their education, health, well-being and childhood to provide care for ill or disabled family members throughout the country. As it provides direct services through its Caregiving Youth Project, it has evolved a growing affiliate network and established the Caregiving Youth Institute.

Dr. Ann Faraone, serves as that organization’s Director of Education Services. This organization’s web site is http://www.aacy.org 

Josh Ruminski

The term “depression” is tossed around with increasing frequency these days. People can often be heard saying, “I am depressed” or “So and so has obvious depression.” Yet, the fact that “depression” has entered our common parlance does not necessarily mean people comprehend how devastating this condition can be.

And aware of that fact, Josh Ruminski started the Ohio-based Happy Thoughts Candles in the hopes of raising their understanding of these matters. He defines depression as being a serious but treatable unbalance that causes people not only to feel sad but also to lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, as their ability to function declines.

A suicide survivor himself, Josh contributes 20 per cent of this firm’s revenue to suicide prevention charities. The candles Happy Thoughts Candles markets are made of essential oil. Some are termed Mental Health Candles, while others are dubbed Seasonal or Year-Round.

Jossh’s company’s web site is http://www.happythoughtscandlesco.com/

 

January 3, 2018 Show

Dr. Thelma Reese

Dr. Thelma Reese’s professional life has often evolved along unplanned paths. She taught because teaching offered her a convenient schedule; teaching led to her earning a doctorate and becoming an educational psychologist. And from that point on, she gravitated towards being a consultant for Hooked on Phonics, other educational products and consulting companies.

However, the fact that she has enjoyed some great adventures she never planned - or, for that matter, even anticipated - has not left Dr. Reese with the impression others will be equally as lucky. Rather, she strongly believes that in today’s world careful planning is essential during every phase of somebody’s life. And she maintains that men who ignore this advice as they fail to prepare for retirement often end up losing their identity along with their job.

Previously the author of The New Senior Woman: Reinventing the Years Beyond Mid-Life, Dr. Reese recently wrote The New Senior Man in the hopes of spreading this message. Her website is www.ElderChicks.com  .
 

Jordan Goodman

There was a time not so long ago when people could safeguard their Golden Years by simply putting their money into investments that involved little risk but paid relatively high rates of return. However, times have changed. These days, bonds, savings accounts, CDs and other investments that once provided people with at least a modicum of security are essentially a losing proposition. The interest they pay is lower than is the rate of inflation and you owe taxes on the minimal return they do deliver.

So, taking all of this into account, folks are turning away from the investments their parents or grandparents favored and trying their hand at those which carry a higher risk. And as that happens many of them are relying upon the advice that people such as Jordan Goodman – America’s Money Answers Man – dispense. For 18 years, Jordan served as Wall Street correspondent for Money magazine. He is also the author / co-author of 13 best-selling books on personal finance, including Master Your Debt Fast Profits in Hard Times, Everyone’s Money Book, Master Your Money Type, Barron’s Dictionary of Finance and Investment Terms and Barron’s Finance and Investment Handbook.

Jordan’s web site is http://www.moneyanswers.com

 

December 20, 2017 Show

Laura Golino de Lovato
 

In Portland Oregon, as is the case throughout the entire country, the recovery from the Great Recession (of 2007 – 2009) has been quite uneven. Some residents of that city are now earning impressive salaries in the tech companies that have made it their home base. And armed with ready cash, they have pushed the price of housing in Portland past rates that are affordable for the elderly. And being acutely aware of this fact, the Northwest Pilot Project is working to ensure that these individuals do not end up homeless.

It advocates for them by constantly working to increase financial assistant that will enable them to pay for application fees, security depots or other move-in costs. And it also keeps a careful tracking of affordable housing in Portland, providing essential documentation that more needs to be made available, particularly in the city’s downtown area.

Laura Golino de Lovato is the group’s executive director.  Its web site is http://www.nwpilotproject.org

Megan Hustings 


Official jobs reports issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimate that about 550,000 Americans are homeless on any given note. And although it is often assumed that many, if not all, of these individuals are unemployed, the National Coalition for the Homeless notes that many of them do work. But their wages so low they cannot afford housing. 

 

The average hourly wage needed to afford a two-bedroom rental home in America is $13.96, a sum much higher than the wages many people earn. Hoping to make the public aware of these realities, this organization sponsors a speaking bureau as well as an annual Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week and Homeless Persons' Memorial Day.

 

Having been with the organization for 8 years, Megan Hustings serves as the Interim Director at the National Coalition for Homelessness.

 

This organization web site, which provides extensive information about the demographics and causes of homelessness, is http://www.nationalhomeless.org

 

December 6, 2017 Show

Mary Verdi Fletcher

Dancing Wheels dramatically delivers its message of inclusion by presenting dances that feature both wheel chair and stand-up performers. And a quick glance at some impressive numbers indicates that its efforts to inspire audiences by celebrating the universal spirit of dance have made a major impact.

Over the years its repertory has expanded to include more than 40 works by choreographed by nationally recognized professionals. It has reached an estimated 5 million people through performances, school assemblies, residencies and workshops. Millions more have enjoyed its artistry during appearances on CNN, Good Morning America, and the TV special “Christopher Reeve: A Celebration of Hope.”

A pioneer in the field of integrative dance, Mary Verdi Fletcher is the President/ Founding Artistic Director of The Ohio based Dancing Wheels Company & School. Mary started the company in 1980 and the school came about 10 years later.

The organization’s web site is http://www.dancingwheels.org

Cindy Spertner

Teen aged angst has been given voice in numerous popular sings, such as “A Teenager in Love,” and in reading list mainstays, such as Catcher in the Rye. Teen Ink, however, takes a different approach to these matters. Instead of allowing recording artists or middle aged writers to express the emotions young people are experiencing, it encourages teens to speak for themselves through their essays, poems and art work.

Hundreds of thousands of students, aged 13 -19, have submitted their work to Teen Ink and it has published more than 55,000 teens since 1989 both in print and on line. Teen Ink magazine is distributed through classrooms and libraries nationwide. All the proceeds from the print magazine, website and Teen Ink books are used for educational purposes, furthering the group’s goals.

Cindy Spertner is Teen Ink’s executive editor. She has been with this organization for 9 years.

Based in Georgia, Teen Link’s web site is http://www.teenink.com
 

 

November 15, 2017 Show

Leah Cunningham

Appalachia might have lost many of the coal mining jobs that once sustained it. But Solar Holler is leading the effort to ensure that despite those losses it still serves as a major energy supplier. Not only is this group developing innovative approaches that can bring (affordable) solar power within the reach of people and places who never previously enjoyed this advantage. It has also worked with partners to launch the first solar energy training and apprenticeship program in West Virginia, where it is based. And as it supplies local businesses with energy at lower costs, it is playing a major role in revitalizing the region.

Leah Cunningham serves as Solar Holler’s Solar Guide, helping families understand solar power, being assured that the equipment that they are having installed in their home/ business fits their needs. Before joining this organization she managed WVU's (Wet Virginia University’s) community engagement and volunteerism efforts, and also served on that college’s Sustainability Committee.

Solar Holler’s web site is http://www.solarholler.com 

 Jacqueline Proctor

Census Bureau statistics indicate that almost 19% of West Virginians are over 65; an estimated 27,000 of that state’s baby boomers turn 60 each year. So, the programs offered by the West Virginia Department of Senior Services are essential to a large number of individuals. And they often have the distinct advantage of providing support that can enable seniors to age at home.

Its’ FAIR (Family Alzheimer’s In-Home Respite) program grants individuals who are care givers for a loved one respite from their “responsibilities.” The West Virginia of Medical Services handles administrative functions for the department’s medical program through which qualified services receive assistance with personal hygiene, dressing, feeding, nutrition, housekeeping and other health-related tasks (activities of daily living).  Jacqueline Proctor is the Deputy Commissioner of this Department. She has also served as the deputy commissioner for the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, director of communications for Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and deputy commissioner for the West Virginia Division of Tourism.


The Department’s web site is www.wvseniorservices.gov

 

 

November 1, 2017 Show

Nancy Clark


Near death experiences are usually interpreted as having a very dramatic quality whereby somebody literally returns from the dead. But the International Association for Near Death Studies grants this term a broader meaning: any event that places somebody in an emotional or physical crisis. And working from that that perspective it maintains that NDEs should be considered life enhancing – not something to fear – and encourages an open dialogue about them.

Nancy Clark, serves as the Coordinator for the IANDS’ Columbus, Ohio Chapter, the second longest surviving group of its kind in the world. She had her first NDE when she was diagnosed with toxemia pregnancy, a medical condition marked by extremely high blood pressure edema and convulsions, as she gave birth to her first child.

Nancy has authored several books, the most recent being Revelations from the Light: What I Learned About Life's Purposes.

Her organization’s web site is http://www.iands.org  . Her personal web site is www.freewebs.com/nancy-clark
 

Adaire Petrichor


In many ways, the Heart of Dying Project is, if nothing else, bold. Because it encourages people to openly discuss end of life issues, a topic they would probably prefer to avoid. Some of its outreach efforts include care giver training and the evolution of communities that can support care givers.

Adaire Petrichor – her last name translates from the Greek as being a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather - is the founder and CEO of this organization. And she comes to this effort after having long dealt with end of life issues.

As far back as 1980, she guided her grandfather through his cancer treatments and eventual death. Then, she gained a still strong understanding of death and the grief process when her younger sister’s life was cut short in a motor cycle accident. Her sensitivities were further strengthened when you son was diagnosed at age 11 was diagnosed with a rare form of cutaneous lymphoma.

The group’s website is http://www.theheartofdyingproject.org
 

 

October 18, 2017 Show

Todd Thomas


In his book The ‘It’ Factor Action Guide, Todd Thomas encourages readers to unleash their potential, becoming the person they always knew they could be. And while he admits that achieving that goal will not be easy for anybody, he maintains that it can be made manageable if somebody forgoes perfectionism for a strong belief in their abilities. It is simply a matter of learning not to be your own worst enemy.


Todd has long worked as a motivational speaker; he has gained recognition for, among other things, his “Todd Talk” which is entitled “How To Get Out of Your Own Way and Be a Better ‘Blank.’” He has had his own national radio show which is heard on more than 100 radio stations nationwide through ABC Radio, Citadel, Cumulus Media and Fox Sports Radio Dallas. A mind coach, he helps athletes mentally prepare themselves to enjoy playing again, and compete at progressively higher levels.


His web site is http://www.todd-thomas.com

 

October 4, 2017 Show

Marcia Flesner

 Virtually everybody would prefer to think that they will never need nursing home care. However, as our country ages, we are being forced to realize that we might not all be that lucky and that instead of avoiding the topic altogether we should instead start asking some hard questions: How can these institutions provide more personalized care? How can they improve residents’ quality of life?

Relying upon data collected over 40 years, researchers at the University of Missouri’s Sinclair School of Nursing, have devised some guidelines that might help nursing homes achieve these objectives. One: Low turnover is essential. Long term employees know residents’ habits and needs. This knowledge can sometimes make them aware that a resident might soon be experiencing an acute illness.  Two: A team approach is essential, with all employees being involved in ongoing reviews. Three: Nurse practitioners should be on staff, providing care that can avoid trips to hospitals.
Marcia Flesner worked as the project coordinator for the ongoing research at the University of Missouri.
 

Genevieve Gipson

You might not hear all that much about career nursing assistants. Truth be known, they generally remain pretty much in the background, unnoticed. But the work they do is essential to the safety and health of literally millions of nursing home residents plus others. And that is why the efforts that the CNA-Network (Career Nursing Assistant Network) is undertaking to upgrade the professionalism of these individuals are so vital.

In addition to training/ testing nursing assistants, this organization also advocates for them and strives to increase their numbers through recruitment. An example: the Task Force for Nursing Assistants which is focused on broadening the pool of these professionals by bringing more men into the field.

Genevieve Gipson, who serves as the director of the Ohio-based CNA-Network has both a nursing degree and a Masters degree in education. Her group has local chapters located literally throughout the country. The CNA-Network’s web site is http://www.cna-network.org . Its Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/groups/118681892980/
 

 

September 20, 2017 Show

Jordan Goodman

There was a time not so long ago when people could safeguard their Golden Years by simply putting their money into investments that involved little risk but paid relatively high rates of return. However, times have changed. These days, bonds, savings accounts, CDs and other investments that once provided people with at least a modicum of security are essentially a losing proposition. The interest they pay is lower than is the rate of inflation and you owe taxes on the minimal return they do deliver.

So, taking all of this into account, folks are turning away from the investments their parents or grandparents favored and trying their hand at those which carry a higher risk. And as that happens many of them are relying upon the advice that people such as Jordan Goodman – America’s Money Answers Man – dispense. For 18 years, Jordan served as Wall Street correspondent for Money magazine. He is also the author / co-author of 13 best-selling books on personal finance, including Master Your Debt Fast Profits in Hard Times, Everyone’s Money Book, Master Your Money Type, Barron’s Dictionary of Finance and Investment Terms and Barron’s Finance and Investment Handbook.

Jordan’s web site is http://www.moneyanswers.com
 

Jim Swanner

If you watch old Westerns, or even some television shows, you will see people trying to control horses, literally forcing them to jump higher or race faster. But when he instructs his riding students, Jim Swanner encourages them to forget about these images and practice natural horsemanship, which relies upon communication.

And he believes that the techniques he teaches can be just as effective with advanced riders as they are with beginners. Working from that perspective Jim has dedicated himself to his mission of helping horses become more comfortable with humans and humans more adept at communicating with these animals.

A man of many talents, Jim Swanner has gained recognition not only for being an instructor but also for being a communicator, clinician, writer and the host of “All About Horses Radio.” His efforts are based at KIN Stables in Athens, Alabama. His web site is http://www.jimswanner.com  His CDs include "7 Secrets to a Fulfilled Life" and "Natural Horsemanship from the Ground Up."

 

September 6, 2017 Show

Genieve Gipson

There seems to be a general consensus that the care residents receive in nursing facilities is often less then optimum. But that certainly does not mean there is any agreement as regards how it can be improved. And that is where The National Network of Career Nursing Assistants steps into the debate. It is working to ensure that support residents of these institutions receive is upgraded by promoting the professionalism of its members through training and certification programs.

And hoping to bring more people into this profession, relieving the current shortage, it has established recruitment programs. An example: the Task Force for Nursing Assistants which is focused on broadening the professional pool (of nursing assistants) by bringing more men into the field.

Genevieve Gipson, who serves as the director of the Ohio-based CNA-Network has both a nursing degree and a Masters degree in education. Under her leadership, the group has involved hundreds of individuals on the local, state and national level.

The CNA-Network’s web site is http://www.cna-network.org

Stan Brock


Recently, debates about reforming our nation’s health care system have filled the air waves and filtered into private conversations. Remote Area Medical, however, is committed to taking these concerns beyond talk and into action. Supported by donors and volunteers, this Tennessee-based organization sends mobile medical centers to sites throughout the United States. Since 1985, it has treated more than 700,000 individuals and 67,000 animals; it has delivered $112 million worth of free health care services. Much of its work is completed in conjunction with Community Host Groups that help organization and pay for these efforts.

Stan Brock, Remote Area's founder and president, first conceived the idea for this organization when he was living among the Wapishana Indians in Guyana, South America and witnessed how this tribe was being devastated by illnesses that could have been easily treated in more technologically advanced cultures. And then, when he left this region he vowed to play a role in delivering basic medical care to people in inaccessible areas; Rural Area Medical grew out of this promise.

This group’s web site can be accessed at http://www.ramusa.org

 

 

August 30, 2017 Show

Andrew Silverstein

who runs this company, with his partner, Dan Shaki, describes himself as being a lifelong New York. And pretty much everybody knows what that means: Unlike the majority of Americans, particularly suburbanites, he does not drive a car. He walks fast and he could not envision himself living anywhere other than in one of the five boroughs. For Andrew, being a tour guide in NYC, is a dream job because over the years he has acquired a surplus of information about his hometown and he loves sharing it with others.

For many tourists, visiting New York City means going to Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. But Streetwise New York is dedicated to expanding people’s knowledge of the city far beyond these iconic structures. And with that purpose in mind, its guides lead them on tours that uncover a part of this city – graffiti art, fish markets – that is not found in guidebooks or displayed in guidebooks. Founded during 2011, this company has been written up in Fodor’s, Reuters, NY Daily News, The Village Voice.

website is http://www.streetwisenewyork.com

 

Branden Pedersen

is operations manager for the Little Free Library; he handles community engagements, works with builders and develops partnerships

The Little Free Library is headquartered in Wisconsin. But it, in effect has branches located literally throughout the world. These “branches” are not offices in the most traditional sense. Rather, they are depositories that resemble bird feeders but have handles people can use to open and close them instead of holes through which birds can fly. People place books into these depositories, making a contribution, and then others can take a volume for free when they visit them.

This organization’s ongoing campaign to connect people with reading material – millions of books have been distributed through its efforts - can help fill an important gap. Children who have access to books, especially at home, become more proficient readers than do other children. But, according to the U.S. Department of Education 61 per cent of low-income families do not have home libraries.

The organization’s website is https://littlefreelibrary.org/
 

 

August 2, 2017 Show

Linda Krasienko

A Place For Us has much to recommend it. Located on Cleveland’s West Side, it features lounges, 24-hour emergency maintenance, community rooms, plus a fitness center. And then, there is the fact that it remains extremely affordable, with some residents paying rents as low as $500 a month, a percentage of their income. For many residents of this apartment complex, however, all of these selling points are not necessarily what attracted them to this 55-unit complex. They remain impressed by the fact it is designed specifically for people over 55 and is gay friendly. Linda M Krasienko who serves as that facility’s service coordinator takes great pride in the fact it has evolved into housing that should greatly benefit the people who make it their home. For her, its opening earlier this year represented the culmination of a seventeen-year effort. She brought to the project an impressive resume that includes work as a pastor, counselor and an occupational therapist.

A Place for Us’ website is http://www.apfuhousing.com/

 Carey Gibbons

People who visit the Cleveland Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transsexual Center of Cleveland can take advantage of an impressive range of opportunities. Its offerings include everything from counseling, advocacy and social gathers to free Massage, Reiki and Herbal Medicine instructions. But the center is not content to merely serve its community. Many of its efforts are specifically designed to help its members mesh more comfortably and safely into the broader world around them. Its SafeZone Training is a case in point. It has established a core of volunteers dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for lgbt people. SafeZones have been established in academic as well as business settings. Corey Gibbons presently serves as the center’s community relations coordinator. Before coming to the center during 2112, she worked as a Site Director at Camp Happiness and as a Family Service Assistant at Dayton, Ohio’s Habitat for Humanity. She previously served as the center’s Youth Coordinator.

The center’s website is www.lgbtcleveland.org 

 

July 18, 2017 Show

Jeanine Moss

After she had a hip replaced during 2014, Jeanine Moss’ doctors, as is pretty much the norm, sent her home from the hospital with a bag full of painkillers. When this medication began leaving her disoriented, however, she made a decision that some might find controversial but has paid off in big dividends for her. She turned to cannabis; it relieved her discomfort almost immediately.

And Jeanine soon discovered that many of her friends were also using cannabis to manage their disorders but wanted to mask the odor that could make their reliance on it obvious. So, seeing a real need, she started Annabis which markets stylish purses and clutches specially designed to hide the smell of the marijuana that is tucked inside them.

Visitors to the company’s website http://www.annabisstyle.com are informed that: “AnnaBis is about integrating our journey with cannabis into the journey of our lives. You know what you need for the beach. You know what you need for your cannabis.”

Tristan Rader

As its name implies, the Cuyahoga County Progress Caucus supports a long list of left-leaning initiatives each of which falls into one of the following broad categories: social justice, international justice, environmental justice, racial justice, political justice, economic justice. And hoping to remain as grass roots as possible, this group works through the efforts of what it calls the Trump Response Team. Members of this group swing into action when measures the caucus strongly opposes come before the public, encouraging others to voice their opposition by contacting office holders or joining protests.  Tristan Rader has serves as the Operations Director for this caucus. He has spent his entire career in the non-profit sector, working extensively in digital media and social services for groups such as the Cleveland Food Bank. Tristan holds a BA in Business Administration from Kent State, an MPA in Economic Development from Cleveland State and a certificate in leadership and organizing from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
 

The caucus’ website is http://cuycpc.org 

 

July 5, 2017 Show

Carol Kershaw Ed.D. and Bill Wade Ph.D.

are not necessarily trying to change the world. They are, however, dedicated to helping clients adjust their thought processes in ways that might positively transform their lives. Pragmatic in the extreme, their efforts often involve things as simple as encouraging people to calm their minds by improving their posture. An exercise outlined in their book – The Worry Free Mind: Train Your Brain, Calm the Stress Spin Cycle, and Discover a Happier, More Productive You - for example, instructs readers to strike a “Wonder Woman” pose with their hand on their hips.

Dr. Kershaw is a licensed psychologist in private practice and Co-Director of the Milton H. Erickson Institute of Houston. She has employed hypnosis to help clients manage everything from diabetes to trauma and asthma. Dr. Wade is a psychotherapist at the Institute for Family Psychology and Co-Director of the Milton Erickson Institute of Houston in Houston, Texas. Traveling nationally, he has led workshops on overcoming depression and anxiety.

Their web site is http://www.drscarolandbill.com 

He Gin Lee

An architect, He Gin Lee has designed literally hundreds of buildings spread across New York City's five boroughs and more outlying areas. His projects include structures as diverse as The First Korean Baptist Church in Queens and the Fort Lee Development in Fort Lee, NJ. All of these structures are what might be termed green buildings designed to protect the environment by keeping carbon output to a minimum.

Hoping to expand, his impact on New York City beyond his architectural efforts, He Gin ran for mayor during 2009 and then again during 2013.

More recently, he has received more than one million hits for a song he posted on Youtube entitled 100 Years of Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZYqszIygRw  Sung against a backdrop of New York City skylines, it remains a strong tribute to his mother, Hoa Yun Chun, Hoa Yun 95. A South Korean resident she now lives in New York City.

He Gin’s web site is http://www.heginleearchitect.com/

 

June 21, 2017 Show

Bev Haettich

Adoption Network Cleveland provides a broad breadth of services for anybody touched by adoption for the lifelong journey – adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents, foster youth and alumni, foster parents and professionals. Among other things, it helps adoptees reunite with their birthparents and also guides birthparents through the process of finding their biological children. Under Ohio law, it has always been possible for adoptees who were adopted before January 1, 1964 to obtain their original birth records. Thanks to Adoption Network Cleveland’s efforts, however, a law went into effect on March 20, 2015 that extended that right to persons who were adopted between 1964 and 1996. Adoption Network Cleveland is supported by memberships, and donations from individuals, foundations, government, and corporations. To learn more about their services visit their web site at http://www.adoptionnetwork.org  A birth mother, Bev worked with Adoption Network Cleveland as she successfully sought to connect with her adult daughter in 1993. Her husband, Rob, is the birthfather.  Read more about Bev’s story in Cleveland Scene magazine. Click link Content-oid=7239156

Ora Nadrich

Ever since she was a young child, Ora Nadrich, has been relentlessly curious about the thought processes that swirl through people’s minds. And over the years her curiosity led her to become a therapist who trains clients to ask this series of questions when confronted with hurtful comments:

1. Who made this statement - “Says Who?”
2. Have I heard someone say this thought before?
3. Do I like this thought?
4. Does this thought make me feel better?
5. Does this thought work for me?
6. Am I in control of this thought?
7. Do I want to keep this thought or let it go?

Ora is a frequent radio guest, writer and featured Huffington Post blogger. The Huffington Post has included her essays in "GPS for the Soul" app and vertical. She has also mindful meditation seminars, as well as developed and facilitated workshop at local Los Angeles-area schools.

Her book is entitled Says Who? How One Simple Question Can Change the Way You Think Forever. Her website is http://www.oranadrich.com 

 

June 7. 2017 Show

Shannon Leavitt

Yoga has earned a wide following during recent years because it not only helps those who follow its many paths to gain body acceptance. It also enhances their strength, flexibility and balance. YogaLift adds yet another dynamic to this mix. It is designed for those who want to both lift weights and do yoga in one sitting.

This discipline was devised by Shannon Leavitt. A certified Hatha Yoga instructor, she also has a Masters degree in Nutrition from the University of Lincoln, Nebraska. For the past 15 years, Shannon has been helping people of all ages achieve spiritual and physical wellness.

Her web site is http://www.yogalift.com  and she authored Learn to Be Lean. Intended as a workbook, it 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.

Jordan Levine

Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute, a 501 (c) organization has a strong mission: It grants formerly incarcerated men and women training in the hospitality industry. And going a step further, it also provides them with support that will guide them towards long-term employment - free housing, legal counsel, basic medical care, clothing, job coaching, literacy programs.

Thanks to the comprehensiveness of its efforts, it has a very impressive success rate; 95% percent of those who complete its program find employment. It currently graduates almost 100 students, with this figure including its prison program and efforts conducted in its Cleveland, Ohio location. Edwin's website is http://www.edwinsrestaurant.org

Jordan Levine, Edwins’ General manager, has been working at restaurants since he was 16 and washed dishes in his cousin’s pizza parlor before moving up to cooking and serving responsibilities. Since that time, he has expanded his culinary skills to include Middle Eastern and French cooking. A man of many talents, he spends his free time reading and playing the guitar.

 

May 17, 2017 Show

Adaire Petrichor

An end of life doula (EOLD), Adaire Petichor provides compassionate care for people challenged by a life altering diagnosis or a terminal illness. Among other things, she works to ensure her clients receive interventions that will ease their symptoms to the greatest extent possible. Always anxious to touch as many people as possible, she conducts outreach efforts in conjunction with religious organizations, support groups and workshops.

Her passion to help those in need began long before terms such as hospice or palliative care became acceptable, almost trendy. In fact, Adaire has been caring for the dying ever since she was a small girl who championed her grandfather through his life altering cancer treatments and eventual death. Decades later, she offered support for her youngest son after he was diagnosed at age 11 with a rare form of lymphoma.

Her web site http://theheartofdyingproject.com is and she is working on a book to be entitled The Heart of Dying Project.
 

Doreen Berts

These days, people seem to be more politically motivated than they were at any other point in recent history; they remain determined to enact change. Their challenge: Nobody seems to know how they might the changes they so obviously want. That is where Life Obstacles comes into the picture.

It supports families on a one to one basis as they work to handle their personal challenges, hoping these efforts will have a strong ripple effect that can be felt on a broad level. And that hope might be becoming a reality. Representatives from this group - among them, J.R. Washington, Doreen Berts, Gerri Knight and Evangelist Brenda Vereen – travel throughout the country, spreading their message.

Life Obstacles was established during 1992 as a front porch effort - Informing Our Children, Inc. (I.O.C.) - by Doreen Berts who was then an officer on the East Cleveland Police Force. She now serves as its CEO. The group’s web site is http://www.lifeobstacles.org

 

May 3, 2017 Show

Laurel Howes
 

When she opened her Ohio- based It’s So You! Boutique, during 2010 Laurel Howes had only recently survived a rough stretch that she considers her own personal Annus horribilis (horrible year). Her mother had died of cancer and she had lost her job within a very short period of time.

Laurel had planned to start her own boutique after she retired but becoming unemployed pushed her in that direction long before she would have made that move on her own. And her deep faith helped her to start her business along a path which she believes has brought her success. She makes customers feel, comfortable; the boutique features oversized dressing rooms, a fireplace and a sitting area.

Plus, Laurel notes that “From the time I was young, I see a woman walk into a room, and I would immediately know what she should wear to look fantastic.” She puts that talent to good use, as she interacts with customers.

Laurel’s web site is http://www.itssoyouboutique.com
 

Author Larry Toombs

has experienced what might politely be termed a life full of adventures, one that might have led a less determined individual to stop trying. He has endured the humiliation of homeless and the trials of drug rehab.

Then, there were the rejections from publishing houses, not to mention being booted off stage for giving a performance that proved too controversial. He relates all of the challenges he has faced in a self-published autobiography, entitled The Life Story of Author Larry Toombs, which he wrote when he was 44.

And many people have benefited the tenacity he has displayed. Serving for years as the host of radio program - “The Author Larry Toombs Gospel Show” which is streamed over blogtalk radio. This program has granted a voice to individuals who might otherwise remain silenced – the homeless, abused women, unpublished authors, gospel missionaries. It has also paid tribute to literary luminaries, such as Maya Angelo.

His Facebook page is

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=author%20larry%20toombs%20gospel%20radio%20show

   

 

April 5, 2017 Show

Edward Hoagland

It might be natural to assume that stuttering would make it harder for somebody to reach his/her career or personal goals whatever those aspirations might be. But Edward Hoagland maintains that his inability to speech distinctly is, at least partly, responsible for his having gained success as a writer.

As he relates in Compass Points: How I Lived, putting words on paper provided him with something he desperately wanted: a means of communicating without facing embarrassment. A member of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Science, Edward’s latest book – his 25th – is entitled In the Country of the Blind.

In addition to being acclaimed as a travel and nature writer, Edward has also taught at numerous colleges - The New School, Rutgers, Sarah Lawrence, CUNY, the University of Iowa, U.C. Davis, Columbia University, Beloit College, Brown, and Bennington. His decades-long academic career began during 1963 and ended during 2005.

Edward’s web site is http://www.edwardhoagland.com

 

John Thibault

If you listen to even the most casual conversations these days, you cannot help noticing how often they turn to politics. But that does not necessarily mean people know how they can transform their concerns into an effective message, enacting laws. And iLobby remains determined to close that gap.

It invites participants to move through three steps: chose an issue from amongst those listed on the iLobby web site, or select an issue of your own; join the debate that focuses on this issue; have an opportunity to have your concerns reach a Congress person or Senator.

John Thibault is the founder and CEO of iLobby and the author of “How to Change a Law,” a number one best seller. He previously was the first VP of business development and marketing at eBay. With his wife, he founded and is Chairman of the Thibault Foundation, which focuses on children’s health, entrepreneurial financial literacy, education and self-sufficiency.

His web site is http://www.ilobby.co

 

 

March 15, 2017 Show

David Nassaney

As she passed through her middle years, Charlene Nassaney was enjoying pretty much everything about her life: her family, her home, her community, traveling. All of that changed, however, during 1996 when she suffered a massive stroke that left her severely speech impaired and paralyzed on her right side. The first 2 years after her stroke were the toughest. But in time, her belief in God grew until she finally became not only accepting of her situation but also anxious to help others who faced physical challenges. And as her life transitioned in unexpected ways, her husband, David Nassaney, also experienced some exciting personal growth. He is now the host of Dave, The Caregiver’s Caregiver, a show on blog talk radio, and his latest book is entitled The Capable Caregiver, How To Protect Yourself From Burnout While Giving Excellent Care To Your Loved One.

David’s web site, which lists valuable resources that can help caregivers manage stress is http://www.davethecaregiverscaregiver.com

Jackie Kelm

Appreciative living has long been applied within the business world to help employers become more productive and form closer bonds. But Jackie Kelm maintains that it can prove just as impacting within people’s personal lives; she has spent the last 14 years educating people about its benefits.

Jackie has an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering Institute of Technology and a MBA with a specialization in Organization Behavior from Case-Western Reserve University.

Her web site is www.appreciativeliving.com. Jackie’s book is The Joy of Appreciative Living Book: Your 28-Day Plan to Greater Happiness in 3 Incredibly Easy Steps.

 

March 1, 2017 Show

Dr. Greg Tefft

We are regularly bombarded with promises that a specific diet will in variably produce tremendous results in terms of weight loss and other health benefits. But Dr. Greg Tefft maintains that these regimes will not necessarily live up to these sales pitches for a good reason.

One size does not fit all when it comes to diets. You have to find the nutritional mix, being exacting in that effort, that will most benefit your body. And he adds a bit of intrigue to those comments by noting that testing one lock of hair can reveal precisely what nutrients your body needs and which it has been producing in excess.

A board-certified naturopathic and chiropractic physician, three-time Natural Mr. America, former Olympic and U.S. Swim Team sports-med staff doctor, Dr. Tefft now serves as a physician at the Malibu Health & Rehabilitation Center. He is the author of Your Personal Life, Measuring What Your Body Needs to Live Lean, Long, Strong & Better. His website is http://www.pncscience.com

 

Jenny Maher

Possibly, because she is modest by nature, Jenny Maher often becomes uncomfortable when somebody refers to her as being an “inspiration.” It is, however, easy to understand how people might view her in these terms. After a suicide attempt left her physically disabled she was told she would live in a hospital the rest of her life. But she was determined to set her life along a more positive course. And she is now living independently as she gains recognition both as a published author and a painter.

Jenny’s challenges began far before she lost her mobility. Her father died from a hit and run accident when she was still quite young. She subsequently spent some time in foster homes while her mother who has a Bipolar disorder was hospitalized.

Her website is www.themindbodyandspirit.net  and her book is Never Give Up: How Determination and God Gave Me A Better Look at Life.

 

February 15, 2017 Show

Joy Loverde

For the past 15 years, Joy Loverde has given workshops on aging issues, helping family members and organizations cope with the financial and emotional burdens implicit in caring for elderly loved ones. The author of Complete Eldercare Planner: Where to Start, Questions to Ask, How to Find Help (Random House, 2009, Revised and Updated), her work has been featured on the Today show, and on CBS News. Articles she wrote have been published in Reader’s Digest New Choices, World @ Work Journal, American Compensation Association Journal, TEC International Organization of CEOs, Journal, Employee Services Management Magazine and others.

Joy serves on the faculty of Eden Across America and is the international eldercare spokeswoman for the Employees Services Management Association. She lives in Chicago, being a caregiver for her elderly mother plus other family members. Her new book Who Will Take Care Of Me When I'm Old? will go on sale on sale October 24, 2017.

Her web site is http://www.elderindustry.com 

Dr. Eboni Green

Much has been written about the fact that family caregivers remain vulnerable to depression and burnout. But strategies that might help them to manage these feelings have received considerably less attention. And Dr. Eboni Green hopes to fill this gap by providing these individuals with some practical advice that might help them achieve greater wellness. She approaches these concerns from a unique perspective as she has worked as a registered nurse and a caregiver and also holds a Ph.D. with a concentration in health care administration.

In 2002, Dr. Green became the Nebraska State Representative for the National Family Caregiver’s Association. From 2004 – 2006, she was also the resource editor of Take Care, the National Family Caregiver’s Association’s newsletter. She and her husband are cofounders of Caregiver Support Services, a nonprofit organization that offers training and consulting for family caregivers and front-line direct caregivers.

Her most recent book is Reflections for the Soul. Her website is http://caregiversupportservices.com/   http://caregiversupportservices.com/

 

February 1, 2017 Show

Daryl Wein

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes; an estimated 80 million also have the disease, or at least pre-diabetes, but don't know it. However, despite the fact diabetes can cause serious complications, these statistics are not as staggering as they might first appear. Many of these people are able to manage this disease by sticking to a strict regime of diet exercise and, if needed, medication.

And when Daryl Wein was diagnosed with diabetes during the late 1990, he became determined to fall into this category. A Physician Assistant, he has worked diligently to educate people about what he labels “carbosis,” because it is linked to high carbohydrate intake, but is more commonly known as Diabetes Type II. Daryl is also a licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor. His other interests include photography, music performance, water sports and amateur radio.

Deanna Adams

An Ohio-based free lance writer, Deanna Adams has had articles published in a wide variety of newspapers and magazines. Her article on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum appeared in The Encyclopedia of the Midwest.

Her books include Rock ’n’ Roll and the Cleveland Connection (Kent State University Press, 2002), Confessions of a Not-So-Good Catholic Girl (Infinity Publishing, 2008), Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Roots (Arcadia Publishing, 2010), Peggy Sue Got Pregnant (Soul Mate Publishing, 2013), and Scoundrels & Dreamers (Soul Mate Publishing, 2014).

Her latest book is The Writer's GPS: A Guide to Writing & Selling Your Book.

Deanna is also an instructor for The Cuyahoga County Libraries’ Literary Programs, Lakeland Community College, and Literary Cleveland, where she teaches and speaks on a number of writing topics. She serves as the coordinator of the Western Reserve Writers’ Conference, and director/founder of the Women Writers’ Winter Retreat.

Her web site is https://deannaadams.com/index.php

 

January 18, 2017 Show

Rabbi Yossi Marazov

The Michigan-based Friendship Circle International offers teens and young adults with special needs social and recreational activities. But its mission is actually much broader than providing support for these young people as they gain self-esteem by interacting with one another.

This organization which has 80 chapters located around the global is working to create a world in which people with special needs and their families experience acceptance, inclusion and friendship, being viewed as contributing members of society.

The Friendship Circle’s Cleveland Chapter was formed during 2003 and presently serves 210 young people and their family. An estimated 250 teen-agers serve as volunteers for this group, which is supported almost exclusively by private and corporate donations. Its web site is http://www.friendshipcircle.org/about/friendship-circle-international/

Rabbi Yossi Marazov is this group’s Executive Director and his wife, Esty, works as its Program Director. They both came to the Friendship Circles’ Cleveland chapter during 2003, as Emissaries for the Chabad House, which seeks to bring Jewish teachings and traditions to interested people.

Rev. Winn Henderson, M.D.

We all hear a great deal these days about addictions and how they might best be treated. But a pioneer in a very real way Rev. Winn Henderson, M.D. first began speaking about these matters 40 years ago. Over the decades, he has counseled literally hundreds of people both in person and on the phone.

And his message has been as consistent as it is straight forward: People develop addictions to many things – alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, overspending – because they are seeking (faulty) means of dealing with their poor self image. These excesses, however, can be overcome if people commit to leading lives that nurture their physical and spiritual well being, coming to understand their mission in life.

A prolific writer, Winn has written 40 books, the latest of which - Freedom from Addiction II was published during late 2016. His web site is http://www.freedomfromaddictionii.com/   .
 

 

January 4, 2017 Show

Bert Rahl

Everybody knows that people who are diagnosed with dementia often suffer from memory or cognitive challenges. Less attention has, however, been paid to the fact that they might experience agitation, an excitableness that can deplete both them and their caregivers as it spirals out of control.

Caregivers might manage these outbursts in one of several ways. They might, for example, simply back away in an effort to defuse the situation. Or, they might calmly say words to this effect, “I'm sorry that you are upset. I know it's hard. I will stay with you until you feel better.

Bert Rahl, director of mental health services at Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, a social service agency that services the aging, has a long resume that makes him well positioned to discuss these matters. He has been employed at that institute for 42 years, spending the first 30 of those years as a social worker and mental health case worker. That organization’s web site is http://www.benrose.org

Rev. Tracy Lind

Trinity Cathedral, which is currently celebrating its 200 birthday is known for being many things: a historic landmark, downtown Cleveland’s first green building a gathering place and center for meetings and events. It is, however, anxious to be known above all else as an inclusive congregation concerned about the world around it. And when the Very Reverend Tracey Lind became its Dean during 2000, she was intent upon continuing and expanding that tradition.

Since that point, she has and led the development of Trinity Commons, an award-winning, environmentally sustainable campus that is home to Trinity Cathedral and the Diocese of Ohio.

Reverend Lind has an undergraduate degree in urban studies from the University of Toledo and masters degrees from both the University of Cincinnati, and the Union Theological Seminary in New York. Her first book of photographs and essays, Interrupted By God, was published by The Pilgrim Press during 2004.

Trinity Cathedrals web site is https://trinitycleveland.org/

 

December 21, 2016 Show

Sheri A. Lunn

These days, increasingly more people are met with welcomeness and acceptance when they are open about their sexual orientation. Yet, many LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and queer) youths are still feeling a strong sense of isolation or shame. And sometimes these sentiments can lead to tragedies. A national survey of adolescents that was published in American Journal of Public Health found that LGBTQ youths were more than twice as likely to have attempted suicide as were their peers.

The Trevor Project which was started during 1996 by Peggy Rajski and Randy Stone who produced the movie TREVOR is working to make these disturbing statistics a thing of the past. Among the services it provides is a crisis hotline at 1-866-488-7386.

Sheri A. Lunn is the Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Engagement for the Trevor Project. She has more than 20 years experience working with nonprofit organizations, focusing on marketing, public relations, communications and development.

The Trevor Projects web site is http://www.thetrevorproject.org  .
 

 

Laurie Leonard,

executive director of End of Life Choices New York, maintains that too many people suffer needlessly as they are dying. And taking that point a step further she maintains that, at least in some cases, medical advances prolong the dying process instead of extending life. So, she takes pride in the fact her organization remains committed to ensuring that people have a peaceful passing which remains in keeping with their wishes and needs.

To achieve that objective, it educates the public about their options: advanced directives, pain management, hospice and palliative care. It also advocates for legislative that would legalize medical aid in dying and other new laws that improve end of life care as well as for individuals being poorly served in nursing homes.

The group’s web site is http://endoflifechoicesny.org/  It is funded by donations and grants and its services are free of charge. 

 

 

 

December 7, 2016 Show

Linda Krasienko

A Place for Us

Some tenants in a  Place For Us, a 55-unit complex on Cleveland’s Near West Side, pay as little as $400 a month in rent. And that price represents a real bargain considering as this complex features, among other things, a fitness center, meditation room, health and wellness suite, a garden terrace plus a resident lounge.

None of that, however, might be what attracts tenants to this facility. They might be more impressed by the fact it offers housing for a group that might not always feel comfortable elsewhere: gays and lesbians over 55 years old.


There is, however, one thing that people who remain impressed by A Place for Us might not recognize unless they have delved into its history. It represents planning efforts on the part of Linda Krasienko that began long before it opened earlier this year. She brought to the project an impressive resume that includes work as a pastor, counselor and an occupational therapist.

 

Carey Gibbons

People are coming out as being gay, lesbian or bisexual at much younger ages now than was ever previously the case. And their outspokenness is meeting little resistance. But does that necessarily mean that accepting their sexuality is any less stressful for them?

Well, the answers to those questions are not clear and simple.

And that is why young people need the support they receive at community centers such as the one located on Cleveland’s West Side. It has programs designed to promote socialization as well as those which teach young tools that will help them cope with a challenging world.

As Youth Programs Activity Coordinator, Carey Gibbons who joined the LBGT Community Center of Greater Cleveland during 2012 leads these efforts. Her previous work experience ranged from serving as a Site Director at Camp Happiness and a Youth Counselor at Eckerd Youth Alternative Camp to working as a Nursing Staff Coordinator at the Cleveland Clinic and a Family Service Assistant at Dayton, Ohio’s Habitat for Humanity.

The center’s web site is http://lgbtcleveland.org/

 

November 16, 2016 Show

Jon Radulovic

Until quite recently, terms such as “palliative care,” “end of life choices” or “hospice” were rarely mentioned in polite society. Now, however, they have become an accepted part of our national lexicon. And at least some of that transition can be attributed to the ongoing efforts of the Virginia-based National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).

It began its work on behalf of the terminally ill and their families as long ago as 1978 when it was founded as the National Hospice Organization. In addition to advocating for these individuals, it has also developed educational programs and materials to enhance understanding of the services hospice and palliative care teams can provide.

Jon Radulovic has worked with national organizations that seek to foster better understandings of hospice and palliative care. He joined the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in 2003 and focuses and serves as that organization’s Vice President of Communication.

Barbara Feinberg

who functions as both a life coach and as a therapist, often brings a little something extra into the mix when she interacts with clients. Years of experience in the business world have granted her a strong understanding of how financial matters impact upon all aspects of people’s lives. And she feels that this approach makes her uniquely qualified to support people who are going through transitions, such as divorces or retirement.

“It is hard for people to talk about money and it is particularly difficult for different generations to get together and talk about it,” Barb said. “And for that matter, therapists are often uncomfortable discussing it, which might be unfortunate because it has such a strong influence on everything people do.”

Barb has worked as a consultant with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Multi-generational Initiative and as an employee communications consultant with

William M. Mercer Inc., a human resources consulting firm. She has an undergraduate degree from Boston University and graduate degrees from both Yeshiva University and Case Western Reserve University. Her web site is http://www.futurescoach.net

 

November 2, 2016 Show

Colleen Clark

The statistics are daunting. The Trust for America’s Health reports that deaths due to drug overdoses for people 12 – 25 rose from 3.1 deaths per 100,000 during 1999 – 2001 to 7.3 deaths (per 100,000) during 2011 – 2013. And these numbers represent what is happening on a national level; the figures in some states are even higher. Jeffrey Levi, executive director of that non-profit health advocacy group, said that these deaths are largely due to the nation's epidemic of prescription drug abuse, and a subsequent rise in heroin use

Preventing these depressing statistics from escalating even further remains an essential aspect of Colleen Clark’s desire to build a more peaceful world, one marked by people connecting with themselves and with one another. So, as she continued her decades-long career teaching both yoga and dance, she assumed new responsibilities as a Drug Prevention Specialist during 1999. She currently works as the coordinator for the East Cleveland Neighborhood Prevention Center. The web site for this effort is http://www.ecneighborhoodcenter.org/
 

Toni Mullee

Most typically, humans have 22 pairs of chromosomes plus two sex chromosomes - XX for women and XY for men. But sometimes, people are born with an extra 21st chromosome, having a condition known as Down Syndrome; trisomy 21 is the technical name. People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions and developmental delays that range from very mild to severe. But these days, their challenges can often be managed, and these individuals attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to society in many ways.

The Upside of Down of Northeast Ohio, which has an estimated 900 members, has long been conducting advocacy to make people aware of this fact. It also organizes an annual fundraiser, called the Buddy Walk, and provides support and education for families.

Having already spent 12 years working in non- profits, Toni Mullee became the executive director of this organization 3 1/2 years ago, feeling that it represented a good fit for her.

The group’s website is http://www.theupsideofdowns.org/    http://www.theupsideofdowns.org/
 

 

 

October 19, 2016 Show

Nate Bishko

These days, you hear a great deal about students going to college and then graduating with a large amount of debt and virtually no job offers. Well, the Excel TECC program, which is administered by the Mayfield City Schools and services students from many other Northeast Ohio school districts, does not maintain that it can protect young people from encountering these frustrations. But it does pride itself upon granting them a more realistic view of how they can prepare themselves for a career path that represents a good fit for them.

Its offerings include everything from intervention programs - one of which is housed at a local community college and the other at a nearby agricultural center - to curriculums in cosmetology and auto mechanics.
Nathan Bishko has been the supervisor of Excel TECC since 2012. He has a Masters Degree in Education and previously served variously as a teacher, principal and assistant principal at local schools.
Excel Tecc’s web site is http://www.mayfieldschools.org/exceltecc_home.aspx
 

Daniel Stokar

These days, an ever increasing number of elderly Queens and Brooklyn residents have an alternative to the long waits and other inconveniences they might encounter in doctors’ offices. House Calls for the Homebound is living up to its name as it sends physicians to their homes. These doctors, however, arrive (at their patients’ houses) with much more than the little black bags that were the mainstay of professionals who practiced during previous decades. They come equipped with equipment that allows them to draw blood or do x-rays on the spot.

Soon after graduating with an accounting degree from Yeshiva University, Daniel Stokar turned down a job offer from an accounting firm to start House Calls for the Homebound. He was joined in this venture which he now supervises by his grandfather—an internist who visited long-time patients in their homes—and his father, a software engineer.

The organization’s web site is http://www.housecallsforthehomebound.com
 

 

October 5, 2016 Show

Judith Eugene

Some people might figure that they will face nothing but frustration if they try to learn something new at an advanced age. So, as they age, they become reluctant to attempt anything they consider even the least bit adventuresome. But Judith Eugene, founder of the Ohio-based Loving Hands Group, is determined to put an end to their reluctance.

Her organization employs a wide range of experts that can help guide elders towards growth they never thought they could achieve. Working in private homes, community center and other facilities, these professionals give instructions in everything from tai chi and laughter yoga to flower arranging.


A licensed architect and interior decorator, Judith is also a certified yoga instructor with specialized senior adult training through the YogaFit training program. And she, likewise, perform as a singer and guitarist at innumerable local venues. An antique car enthusiast, Judith judges and plans shows that feature these vehicles.

He web site is http://www.lovinghandsgroup.com
 

Dr. Marilyn Gugliucci

Most typically, medical students receive training intended to teach them what it means to be a doctor. But two innovative programs at (the Maine-based) The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) are taking a very different approach. They are designed to immerse students into care environments to advance understanding about what it means to be a patient.

Students who participate in the Learning by Living Nursing Home Immersion Project are “admitted” into nursing homes where they live the life of an elder nursing home resident for approximately two weeks – 24/7, complete with a medical diagnosis. And students who take part in the 48 Hour Hospice Home Immersion Project reside in an in-patient hospice home for 48 hours sleeping in a bed where others have died and providing care to patients and their loved ones.

Dr. Marilyn Gugliucci, Professor and Director of Geriatrics Education and Research within the Medical School’s Division of Geriatric Medicine, was instrumental in establishing both of these programs. She serves on the Review Board for the Aging International Journal and on the Executive and Review Boards for the Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, among others.

The school’s web site is http://www.une.edu/com

 

 

September 21, 2016 Show

Dr. Winn Henderson

 Although innumerable volumes have been written about it, “addiction” remains a difficult term to fully conceptualize or – for that matter – even to define. And that is hardly surprising considering as it can assume so many different forms; drinking, smoking and gambling to name just a few. Despite all the ambiguities that swirl around this condition, however, one thing remains certain. It represents a serious public health problem as it precludes millions of Americans from functioning at their optimum best.


Dr. R. Winn Henderson, a retired physician with more than 20 years of clinical experience, maintains, however, that there is hope for people who suffer from addictions provided they truly want to get well. The author of 39 books, Winn is also the is the host of “Share Your Mission,” a radio show which for the last 16 years has encouraged listeners to realize the importance of having a life purpose.

His web site is http://www.freedomfromaddiction.info 
 

Dr. Lee DeLorge

Most of the time cognition, the process by which the brain sequences and organizes information, works seamlessly to a timed rhythm. Sometimes however, their timing is off and children need to have their cognitive processes "rewired." The Center for Cognition and Development utilizes innovative techniques to help them acquire the requisite proficiency.

For example, Interactive Metronome Therapy provides immediate feedback that helps participants more efficiently align the timing with which their brain manages information. It is thought to benefit people who have ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, Reading Disorders, Auditory Processing Disorder, or Parkinson’s.

Dr. Lee L. DeLorge, a Cognitive & Educational Specialist, founded the Ohio-based Center during 2006. Before that point, Lee spent 10 years with the International Network of Children and Families training psychologists, teachers, and parents both here and abroad in behavioral modification techniques.

She also facilitated a 3 year research study (at the University of Michigan) the benefits of Brain Balance Academics and Neuroplasticity . Her involvement in this field grew out of her personal experiences as her son struggled with ADHD and dyslexia.

The center’s web site is http://www.c4cognition.com
 

 

September 7, 2016 Show

Genevieve Gipson

As it moves towards its 50th anniversary the National Network of Career-Nursing Assistants is committed to upgrading the working conditions and professionalism of people employed in this field. It is, likewise, trying to help resolve a serious challenge that will become even more acute as aging Baby Boomers begin needing assistance – an ongoing shortage of nurses aides.

And that is why the CNA-Network is conducting programs aimed not only at advocacy but also at recruitment. An example: the Task Force for Nursing Assistants which is focused on broadening the professional pool (of nurses aides) by bringing more men into the field.

Genevieve Gipson, who serves as the director of the Ohio-based CNA-Network has both a nursing degree and a Masters degree in education. Under her leadership, the group has involved hundreds of individuals on the local, state and national level. The CNA-Network’s web site is http://www.cna-network.org

https://www.facebook.com/groups/118681892980/
 

 

August  17, 2016 Show

Jill Mattson

Modern day physicists and visionaries from as far back as ancient Egypt might have their strong points of disagreement. But they virtually all agree on one thing. The health of our bodies - of any organism for that matter - is determined by the extent to which their vibrations remain in balance. And that is why sound healing can prove so effective.

In an ironic twist, despite the fact that sound healing dates back to ancient times when it was a popular modality, it is a major component of state of the art therapy. A case in point: the Lithotripter, which can pulverize kidney or gall stones in a matter of hours. Sound therapy might prove particularly effective for elderly patients whose bodies might not respond well to various medicines.

Jill Mattson has long been a proponent of sound healing, combining her knowledge of modern techniques with an extensive study of ancient civilizations. Her web site is http://www.jillswingsoflight.com

Is it possible to put a short segment of this music on the air. I know there are certain restrictions but even a few seconds would be good.

Sound Healing Music - Sounds of the Stars by Jill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrlpcj46OG4&list=PLW5sxcnCkCYvxYdw4vZaV8qFtFFlOabgk
 

 

Dr. Eboni Green

Dr. Eboni Green and her husband, Terrence Green, have combined their talents to ensure that the Nebraska-based Caregiver Support Services will live up to its potential as it bolsters caregivers. Terrence handles much of the marketing; he has worked for an impressive list of technology companies: IBM, Gateway, Western Wireless, and Xerox where he earned the Star award for his stellar sales record. Eboni, meanwhile, has both a nursing degree and a doctorate in human services.

And she puts her education to work developing programs that help caregivers avoid stress and burnout. During 2002, she became the Nebraska State Representative for the National Family Caregiver's Association.  Having contributed to a number of publications and given presentations that focus on training, assessing and supporting caregivers, she is the author of At the Heart of Matter and Caregiving in the New Millennium.

Her web site which contains much valuable information plus self-assessment surveys for caregivers is http://caregiversupportservices.com/

 

 

August 3, 2016 Show

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. And when she markets these oils (manufactured by deTerra), Lara Proegler takes that fact into consideration as she stresses their immensely supportive powers.

But she also goes a step further and works to make people aware of 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). That pricing she notes does not necessarily make sense because some oils are more expensive to extract than are others.

In addition to working as a wellness consultant, Lara is also very active in her community, serving as volunteer project manager for various events sponsored through the Mentor United Methodist Church and as a Den leader with the Cub Scouts.

www.mydoterra.com/laraproegler/#/

Rosemarie Ousley

Eversight Ohio, which provides corneal tissue for transplantation and research, compiled some impressive statistics during 2015 Thanks to its efforts, 1478 people received corneal transplants, 1203 donors gave the gift of sight, and 59% of Ohioans are now registered as tissue donors.

This organization was originally established as the Cleveland Eye Bank during 1958, 50 years after the first corneal transplant was attempted. It is now an affiliate of the non-profit Eversight, a network that joins together eye banks in many Mid-Western States. Eversight Ohio receives funding from the Cleveland Eye Band Foundation and grants. This non-profit’s web site is http://www.eversightvision.org/ohio/http://www.eversightvision.org/ohio/

Rosemarie Ousley became the Community Relations Liaison for Eversight Ohio in the fall of 2013. She brought over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit world, focused on healthcare and education. As the Community Relations Liaison, she has the pleasure of signing people up on the donor registry, speaking with different community groups, and raising money for Eversight Ohio.
 

 

July 20, 2016 Show

Karen Roberts

An estimated one out of every four Americans (90 million individuals) assist loved ones who require help carrying out activities of daily living. And, needless to say, they are supporting a wide very wide range of individuals: special needs children, wounded soldiers, relatively young people with MS, elderly people challenged by the frailties of old age. No matter what the specifics the Washington, D.C.-based Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is committed to helping caregivers manage the “responsibilities” they have assumed.

Established during 1991 by Suzanne Mintz and Cindy Fowler, it has spearheaded the passage of the National Family Caregivers Support Program, lobbying on ongoing basis in support of caregivers. It has also worked diligently to help raise the public’s consciousness of the challenges caregivers face. The group’s web site is http://www.caregiveraction.org

Karen Roberts serves as this organization’s Director of Outreach and Special Projects. She previously worked for seven years as the Overseas Private Investment Corporation’s (OPIC’s) Director of Business Development.

 

 

Sona Mehring

During 1997, JoAnn Hardegger and Darrin Swanson, had a premature baby named Brighid. And anxious to help them connect with people concerned about Brighid’s well-being, their friend, Sona Mehring, did something that soon led to the inception of CaringBridge.

She created a website through which they could pass along essential information about that baby’s progress. Over the ensuing years, more than half a million CaringBridge websites have been created, allowing people to stay in contact with friends and family at a stressful point in their life.

During 2013, Minnesota Monthly placed Sona on their list of the "75 most influential people of the Twin Cities.” Sona is also the author of Hope Conquers All: Inspiring Stories of Love and Healing from CaringBridge and she is currently the Chief Ambassador of the organization.

The website is http://www.caringbridge.org .
 

 

 

July 6, 2016 Show

Timothy Smith

As is the case with similar organizations elsewhere, Community Greenhouse Partners is committed to providing local customers with fresh fruits and vegetables. However, it confronts some considerable challenges as it strives to achieve that goal. The cold Cleveland winters are hardly conducive to growing food throughout the entire year. Budgetary restrictions make it hard for many Cleveland residents to afford (fresh) fruits and vegetables.

Not willing to be deterred, however, the group is working to meet these challenges by making extensive use of hard shell greenhouses which allow for cold weather (greenhouse) farming. And it is partnering with numerous local organizations and businesses, making its produce as widely available as possible.

These efforts have a great personal significance to Timothy Smith, who has helped to spearhead this organizations’ evolution. A Type 1 diabetic for more than 50 years, he knows the importance of healthy eating and his families grew vegetables long before this habit became popular so this practice is almost in his DNA.

The group’s web site is http://www.communitygreenhousepartners.org 
 

Dr. Connie Siskowsk

Much is being said these days about family care givers and the challenges they face. But that ongoing dialogue might be perpetuating a somewhat inaccurate picture of the individuals who are handling these responsibilities. It generally assumes that they are middle-aged or older when in fact many young people are supporting loved ones on a daily basis.

The American Psychological Association reports that among the millions of Americans who are serving as caregivers approximately 1.3 to 1.4 million of them are between the ages of 8 and 18. And the American Association for Care Giving Youths, notes that among teens who left high school 22% dropped out to care for a family member. Working with local school districts, however, this Florida-based organization has helped its students overcome any obstacles that might interrupt their education; more than 95 percent of them end up graduating from high school.

This group’s web site is http://www.aacy.org  . Dr. Connie Siskowski, who has a nursing degree plus a doctorate in educational leadership, serves as its founder and president. During 2012, she was named one of CNN’s top ten heroes for her efforts.

 

 

June 15, 2016 Show

Mary Beth Bartholomew

first became involved with programs at the Cleveland Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center shortly after she and her partner moved from San Francisco to that city during 1996. Then, nine years later, she was drawn to the center’s SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders) program as being a place where she could utilize the program development and leadership skills she had honed as an educator. She now heads that program.

Under Mary Beth’s leadership, SAGE is currently evolving an Intergenerational Theater project whose inception will coincide with the opening of the center’s new headquarters in Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood. During October, 2016, it will be cosponsoring with the Cleveland-based Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging a conference that focuses upon the challenges facing LGBT older adults. And it is constantly trying to reach out to isolated (older) adults in the community.

The center’s web site is http://www.lgbtcleveland.org/
 

Linda Krasienko

Some people interpret the fact that same sex couples now have the right to marry as being a strong indication a sea change in attitudes has occurred. However, Linda Krasienko’s views on these matters are somewhat more nuanced in nature. While she applauds the progress that has been made, she still thinks there is still work to be done.

And that is why she has played a major role in the establishment of a retirement facility that is designed specifically for the LGBTQ population and slated to open during fall, 2016.

Located on Cleveland’s West Side, this 55-unit project will be affordable, with apartments being priced at between $400 and $800 a month. Ms. Krasienko, president of A Place for Us Development LLC, notes that will this facility will feature a fitness room, meditation room, clinic, office space, lounge, conference room a foyer for art displays plus an outside garden.

Pamella Bittner who will be Linda’s assistant once A Place For Us will also be taking part in this interview.

The web site for a Place for Us is http://www.nrpgroup.com 

 

 

June 1, 2016 Show

Bob Finnie

When Bob Finnie first opened the Wisconsin-based www.personcare.net  during 2008, he did not know quite what to expect. He, however, was not entering into this adventure without having some things working to his strong advantage. His academic background – a BS and an MBA from Marquette University – helped prepared him for that challenge.

By that point, he had already been employed in the health care industry for twenty years. During that period of time, he worked mostly in customer service, marketing, sales and management positions for companies that provided products to hospitals/ long term care communities. And he soon began to realize something that he kept constantly in mind as he directed personcare.net’s inception: If these same items - devices like small puzzles and card games, falls prevention, meal time aids and wanderer monitoring. - became m ore readily available to them it would be easier for seniors to continue living at home.
 

David Nassaney

Charlene Nassaney’s life was permanently transformed when she suffered a massive stroke during 1996 that left her severely speech impaired, and paralyzed on her right side.

A woman of great strength, Charlene has come to accept, if not embrace, her challenges as she has rekindled her faith in God. And she has learned to communicate without speaking in ways that amaze and even entertain. David Nassaney, has been by her side throughout her journey, serving as both her caregiver and support.

He and Charlene, are the authors of One Arm, One Leg, 100 Words: Overcoming Unbelievable Hardships which can be purchased through Amazon. He is also host of the radio program Dave, The Caregiver’s Caregiver Radio Show which is aired over Star World Wide Networks and provides essential information for caregivers.

His website is http://davethecaregiverscaregiver.com
 

 

May 18, 2016 Show

Jay Westbrook

Jay Westbrook’s journeys began when he was a child and he and his family made their home in several different Southern states – Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, Florida. And when he eventually moved to Cleveland, Ohio more adventures awaited him. Always a political activist, he helped form Ohio Public Interest which is now Ohio Citizens Action.

Eventually, his political involvement led to his being appointed to Cleveland City Council. The Council President, George Forbes, with whom Jay had some political differences, blocked that appointment. But Jay was eventually elected to that council and even ended up serving as its president.

After more than 30 years serving as a council person, however, Jay decided that it was time for him to use his talents in a different venue and he is now working as the Special Projects Manager of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s Thriving Communities Institute This organization seeks to protect land both in Cleveland and throughout Cuyahoga County. Its web site is http://www.wrlandconservancy.org 
 

Dr. Paul Kurlansky


Despite the fact it was once thought that elderly patients could not withstand such procedures, Dr. Paul Kurlansky regularly performs heart surgery on octogenarians. And he reports that these patients record survival rates which rival those of much younger patients; the quality of life they enjoy after they undergo these operations is equally as impressive.

Dr. Kurlansky notes, however, that great care must be taken to determine what patients are good candidates for this surgery. By his accounting, their frame of mind is vitally important. They have to be involved in the decision making process and believe that the surgery will be in their best interest.

Dr. Kurlansky is currently Dr. Kurlansky is currently an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Columbia University, the Associate Director of the Center for Innovation and Outcomes Research and the Director of Research, Recruitment and CQI for Columbia HeartSource. He is a graduate of Tuft’s Medical School and he completed his post-graduate training at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. .

Dr. Kurlansky discusses his work at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4KLSjgD9R8

 

May 5, 2016 Show

Judith Eugene

Some people might figure that they will face nothing but frustration if they try to learn something new at an advanced age. So, as they age, they become reluctant to attempt anything they consider even the least bit adventuresome. But Judith Eugene, founder of the Ohio-based Loving Hands Group, is determined to put an end to their reluctance.

Her organization employs a wide range of experts that can help guide elders towards growth they never thought they could achieve. Working in private homes, community center and other facilities, these professionals give instructions in everything from tai chi and laughter yoga to flower arranging.


A licensed architect and interior decorator, Judith is also a certified yoga instructor with specialized senior adult training through the YogaFit training program. And she, likewise, perform as a singer and guitarist at innumerable local venues. An antique car enthusiast, Judith judges and plans shows that feature these vehicles.


He web site is http://www.lovinghandsgroup.com
 

Jim Swanner

A man of many talents, Jim Swanner might be variously be described as being not only a teacher and an instructor but also a communicator, clinician, writer and the host of “All About Horses Radio.” And as he stays busy juggling all of those roles Jim remains dedicated to his mission of helping horses become more comfortable with humans and humans more adept at communicating with these animals.

He encourages people to move away from the attempts to control horses that are often depicted in movies, television shows and elsewhere. And he maintains that -the natural horsemanship techniques he teaches can prove just as effective with beginners as they are with more advanced riders.

On numerous occasions, his horses do not simply interact with people at the stables, but also with the entire town as they participate in community events.

His efforts are based at KIN Stables in Athens, Alabama. His web site is http://www.jimswanner.com

 

April 20, 2016 Show

Mike Saunders

As an Authority Positioning Strategist, Mike Saunders helps his clients, many of whom are business owners, evolve a unified online marketing blueprint. Taking a broad approach, he guides them towards making the most of every available marketing avenue – press releases, radio interviews or book publishing.

By his accounting, gaining credibility through some “shrewd maneuvers” can produce amazing results. It might even result in somebody running a powerful Best-Seller campaign without ever writing a word.

So, what might this mean for listeners who do not have any of these entrepreneurial goals in mind? How can the strategies he teaches help people of any age as they go about their everyday lives? Well, listen to his interview and find out for yourself.

Mike has written several books including The Prism Salvation: A 3-Step Solution to Social Media Domination for Busy Business Owners and Believing Your Why: The 7-Step “morning Huddle” System to Finally Achieve Your Goals!

Bart Smyth

calls himself a modern day shaman. To the uninitiated that designation might sound like a complete oxymoron. How can somebody be a modern day shaman when these healers belonged to a previous (post modern) age? But Bart definitely has found a receptive audience for his work, having assisted 35,000 people worldwide. Many of them have found relieve from chronic and debilitating conditions through his efforts which combine, among other things, Thai Shiatsu, Hansa Shiatsu, Massage, Reiki, Abayanga Massage and Neuro Muscular Movement.

Bart notes that, “I have so much appreciation to all who walked before me, the physical intelligence we have and life in general is Amazing! I know that it is possible to create and recreate new, improved realities and physical bodies.”

Bart came to his work as a shaman after he suffered serious injuries in a car accident. He had previously owned a successful architectural design/ construction company in San Francisco.

His web site is http://www.amoderndayshaman.net

 

 

April 6, 2016 Show

 

Todd Bartimole

If you asked Todd Bartimole what he does for a living, he would respond simply, “I am an attorney who specializes in Elder Law.” But that brief response might not give you a very realistic understanding of what he actually does. In addition to performing the usual lawyerly duties, he also helps clients apply for Medicare. And quite often, he is called upon to deal with disability and special needs planning..

Todd has long been active with efforts to protect elders’ rights. He advocated for nursing home residents with the regional Long Term Care Ombudsman program and directed a program to assist Medicaid applicants appeal wrongly denied claims.

A graduate of Cleveland Marshall Law School, Todd is presently an attorney with the Cleveland-based Cavitch, Familo & Durkin law firm. His web site is http://cavitch.com/attorney/todd-w-bartimole/

 


Marc Halleck

By his own admission, Marc Halleck was never a natural athlete when he was a child or a teen. In fact, he rarely even became involved in extra-curricular activities until he joined a local martial arts school in 1982. From that point on, however, his expertise in this field evolved until he eventually became the owner of the Northshore Academy of Martial Arts in Libertyville, Illinois.

When he first opened that facility in 1997, it had virtually no carpeting and was only 1500 square feet in size. But currently, his studio measures four times that size and by his own estimation, he has “the best Martial Arts team in Chicagoland.” And despite the fact he might not have shown much athletic prowess at a young age, he now feels great at 50.

Marc is certified under the legendary Guro Dan Inosanto in Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do and the Filipino Martial Arts. His web site is http://nsama.com/ 
 

 

 

March 16, 2016 Show

Donna Halper

At a point in her life when many people are contemplating retiring, Dr. Donna Halper took an opposite approach. She decided to start something new as she worked towards her PhD. And her persistence paid off as it resulted in her taking a teaching position at Lesley University (in Massachusetts). In that position, she – a Baby Boomer – has had a unique opportunity to mix with millennials and discover how these two generations both differ and enjoy many commonalities.

Before she started walking down her current academic path, Donna had already amassed a varied and impressive work history. She had served at various times as a radio consultant, radio disc jockey and music director. Donna is also the author of six books, she wrote Invisible Stars: A Social History of Women In American Broadcasting, a volume about female pioneers in the broadcasting industry, which was considered ground breaking for its time

Her web site is http://www.donnahalper.com 

John Zitzner

does not claim to have a plan – secret or otherwise – that can save failing urban schools. But he does point with proud to what he has managed to achieve as the President of Friends of Breakthrough Schools. This organization helps to close the gap between the public funding this group of charter schools receives and the monies it needs to operate.

Charter schools are organized under the umbrella of a local school district but are administered separate. The Cleveland-based Breakthrough Schools operates 11 highly-rated schools that educate 3300 scholars from underserved neighborhoods.

His current position definitely requires John to employ his entrepreneurial skills. But he is using these skills in very different ways than he once did as the CEO and President of Bradley Corporation. This Cleveland based software firm was started during 1983 and acquired by Xerox during 1998. It grew from 2 employees to more than 40 workers. It currently serves many Fortune 1000 customers throughout North America.

John’s web site is http://www.breakthroughschools.org/friends/
 

 

March 2, 2016 Show

Lorraine Perillo

remembers that when she was still quite young her father who was an opera singer owned numerous books on psychology, reflexology and massage. And she would spend many happy hours going through them. These excursions began her lifelong mission to learn as much as possible about mind body connections.

For years she studied about how particular foods can improve your health and how teas can be tonic to the body. She was also fascinated by the extent to which essential oils, exercise, meditation and yoga can bolster somebody’s well-being. And in time, she found her true path as a practitioner of Touch For Health which incorporates acupressure, sound diet and massage. This healing technique helps to relieve emotional blocks, making the symptoms of migraines, muscle and back pains, anxiety less acute. She holds frequent workshop in her Long Island headquarters, training participants in the basics of this process.

Her web site is http://www.touchforhealthli.com    516-676-4244
 


Quamran Taj, CPC

(Q) acknowledges he has treated life as if it was a “restaurant sample,” as he tried everything on the menu. His adventures included a stint as a Christian minister, public speaker, counselor and mentor, Interfaith minister, published author, writer, freelance artist, amateur musician, radio host and most recently a Certified Professional Life Coach. His experiences have left him with a strong spiritual faith.

And anxious to share his beliefs with others, he conducts seminars, classes, workshops at his New York State headquarters. His motto: Living as YOU personally were meant to live. Fulfilling your own purpose in life is the key to happiness.

Q remains very proud of his efforts but acknowledges that they are simply a reconfirmation of the ideas sensitive individuals have formed throughout the decades. We are really spiritual beings having a human experience and that we ALL possess hidden abilities.

His web site is http://www.keysofpower.com

 

 

February 2016 Show

Jim Wilkins

Jim's extensive background in the construction trades stretches back several decades; he has worked, at various times, as a journeyman carpenter, senior cost estimator, design and engineering manager. And on more than one occasion, he even helped construct mega-mansions. About five years ago, however, Jim began steadily downsizing both professionally and personally.

He now enjoys living in a tiny house because of the freedom and security it offers him. And his commitment to these structures extends far beyond the mere fact he lives in one. He builds non-toxic tiny houses and micro homes for people who choose to enjoy a sustainable life style. He started his new business – the Minnesota-based Tiny Green Cabins – during 2008.

Priced at between $19,900 and $59,000, the tiny cabins come in various series – Sweet Life Tiny Houses, Breathe Easy Tiny Houses. Some can even be transported on attached trailers.

Jim’s web site is http://www.tinygreencabins.com
 

Dan Barker

A former evangelical minister and graduate from the Azusa Pacific University, Dan Barker, announced during 1984, that he had become an atheist. He subsequently appeared on AM Chicago (hosted by Oprah Winfrey), talking about how he had “kicked the religion habit.”

Dan is now co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (in Madison, Wisconsin) which promotes the separation of church and state. He also co-hosts Freethought Radio. Broadcasted nationally over several different stations, this show has welcomed a wide variety of freethinkers - Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Steven Pinker, Julia Sweeney, and Michael Newdow.

A successful musician, Barker has composed over 200 songs that have been published or recorded.

His newest book, GOD: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction by Dan Barker.  Foreword by Richard Dawkins  (Sterling Publishing, Feb., 2016)

To stay young, Mr. Barker plays professional jazz piano, and also walks home from work 3 miles every day.

His web site is http://www.ffrf.org

 

January 2016 Show

Clark Echols

is minister of the Glendale New Church, located in a Cincinnati suburb. And in that position, he remains committed to carrying out that congregation’s mission -  offering worshipers a spiritual framework to live by and supplying solutions to difficult life-questions. This church supports each individual in forging a personal relationship with God, providing direction, strength, and peace for everyday life.

And he has had a lifelong belief in the reality of life after death, being particularly attracted to the works of Raymond Moody who wrote Life After Life. So, taking all that into account, it is hardly surprising that he would become a spokesperson for Cincinnati INANDS, an affiliate of the International Association for Near Death Studies.

 Clark’s group attempts to provide people who have had a NDE (near death experience) with group or personal counseling that will allow them to discuss these spiritually transforming episodes within a non judgmental environment. By his accounting these people are gifted but not targeted.

Clark’s web site is http://clarkechols.com/

 

Adaire Pettry works as an end-of-life doula educator and consultant, dedicating herself to providing support and comfort for hospice patients and others for whom medical treatment is no longer an option.

She maintains that experiences she had a young girl during the 1980s set her on the path to her current profession. She accompanied her grandfather during his life-altering experiences with cancer and his eventual death. And she also dealt with cancer first hand when her youngest son was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma.

On September 11, 2001, Adaire began her training as a hospital chaplain, which would lay the professional foundation for her life’s calling as a doula. Adaire holds two certifications in end-of-life care.

One is as a Contemplative End-of-Life Care Practitioner through Naropa University and the (Spiritual Care Programme) of Sogyal Rinpoche's school based on The Tibetan book of Living and Dying. The second is a certification as a Level 3 end-of-life doula / trainer for Doulagivers, a new area of non-medical care for the elderly.
 

She also has training in massage and reiki therapy. Adaire has a private consulting practice in Cleveland, Ohio. She is the founder and owner of connecting Heart 2 Heart and The Heart of Dying Project which provides compassionate care and education. Her web site is http://connectingheart2heart.com/index.html 

 

 

 

December 2015 Show

Linda Krasienko

Having worked over the years as a pastor, counselor and an occupational therapist, Linda Krasienko has compiled quite an impressive resume. But the accomplishment she is most proud of might be one that remains essentially disconnected to her professional experiences. Long committed to this effort, she played a major role in the establishment of a retirement facility that is designed specifically for the LGBTQ population and slated to open during fall, 2016.

Located on Cleveland’s West Side, this 55-unit project will be affordable, with apartments being priced at between $400 and $800 a month. Ms. Krasienko, president of A Place for Us Development LLC, notes that this building will be conveniently located near a transit stop. And it will feature a fitness room, meditation room, clinic, office space, lounge, conference room a foyer for art display plus an outside garden.

The web site for a Place for Us is http://www.nrpgroup.com 

David Pirtle

David Pirtle was a restaurant manager in Phoenix, Arizona when the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder made it impossible for him to any longer maintain a job or a place to live. Shortly thereafter, he traveled across country, with his journeys eventually taking him to Washington D.C. where he lived on the streets until he was arrested and referred to a homeless shelter.

During the summer of 2006 David and the other clients learned that their shelter was slated to be converted into a boutique hotel. After they organized and launched after a series of successful lobbying events and rallies, it was announced that the facility would be renovated and remain open indefinitely. David now resides in south-east Washington, D.C. and he is active in fighting for the rights of people who are experiencing homelessness and mental illness in the District of Columbia.

David currently heads the Speakers Bureau for the National Coalition for the homeless. His web site is http://www.nationalhomeless.org/faces/bios/davidpirtle.htm

 

November 2015 Show

Dr. Dennis McCullough

Medical advances have translated into our living longer than was ever previously the case or even the expectation. But as these advances have emerged, our health care system has become increasingly more reliant upon technology. And not all medical authorities think that is necessarily a “good” thing, particularly for elders.

Among them is family doctor and geriatrician Dr. Dennis McCullough who recommends an approach which he labels Slow Medicine. Shaped by common sense and kindness, slow medicine advocates a hands on approach that relies more upon patience and careful observations than upon technology; comfort rather than cures remain the major goal.

Dr. McCullough is the author of My Mother, Your Mother: Embracing "Slow Medicine," the Compassionate Approach to Caring for Your Aging Loved Ones (New York: Harper, 2008).

He is Honorary Associate Professor, Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Giesel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH.


Lynne Giacobbe

 Kendal at Home works closely with seniors and their families, coordinating the support they need to age safely at home. And Lynne Giacobbe, that program’s executive director, points with pride to its admirable track record. Only one out of more than 250 elders who have become involved in this effort since it opened during 2004 have ended up requiring permanent nursing facility placement.

Ms. Giacobbe explains that Kendal at Home is simply an extension of the continuing care retirement community (ccrc) concept that Kendal has long espoused. Its (ccrc) centers, which are located throughout the country, offer independent living and assisted living as well as nursing facilities. Many of these facilities are located in college towns, such as Ithaca, New York or Oberlin, Ohio.

In total, Ms. Giacobbe has spent 30 years working in the non-profit sector, focusing on administration and program development. The Kendal at Home web site is http://www.kendalathome.org

 

October 2015 Show

Karen Bowersox

An incident that might have missed many people’s notice is what led Karen Bowersox to start the Mentor, Ohio-based Downs Designs®. While visiting with her granddaughter, Maggie, she noticed that her pants were always too long and her mother was constantly rolling them up. Her long sleeve shirts were also too long for her and needed to be rolled up.
A quick trip to the internet uncovered no clothes that might fit Maggie and others with Down syndrome more appropriately. So Ms. Bowersox became determined to start her own business that would manufacturer garments that would accommodate the special measurements of people who have this genetic condition.
The ensuing years have meant trips to China, hours spent with designers and many other adventures. And now her company not only produces clothes for people with Down syndrome, it is also making available NBZ® Jeans which have no buttons or zippers, making it easier for people with a myriad of special needs to dress independently.

Mrs. Bowersox ‘s website is http://downsdesignsdreams.org .




Mary Verdi


Far ahead of her time in seeing the need for integrative dancing, Mary Verdi Fletcher Dancing Wheels School in 1990. And it soon began attracting students from around the globe, eventually becoming the worldwide center for dance that involves both wheel chair and stand-up dancers. The group now regularly tours both in this country and internationally. Her efforts have helped pave the way for others working to gain complete access for dancers who have their own special abilities.

Mary’s recent professional affiliations include Executive Committee Member for the Careers in Arts Summit, Program Committee Member for The Association of Performing Arts Presenters Annual Conference, Advisory Board Member for The Arc of Greater Cleveland and Board Member for Ohio Arts Presenters. She has worked and studied with such esteemed artists as Donald McKayle, David Rousseve, Dianne McIntyre, Dennis Nahat, Keith Young, Ben Vereen, Christopher Reeve and many others.

 Her web site is http://www.dancingwheels.org

 

 

September 2015 Show

Rick Guidotti

had worked in NYC, Milan and Paris as a high fashion photographer, taking pictures of what were considered to be some of the world’s most beautiful people. But that phase of his career lasted only until a chance encounter on a Manhattan street totally changed the direction in which he focused his camera lens. While waiting at a bus stop he saw a girl whose beauty diverged from societal ideas – white hair, pale skin, albinism.

Returning home, he did some studying and found that the images he saw of people with genetic differences were startling and upsetting; always a black bar covered their eyes. And he vowed to stop working in the fashion industry and to start taking picture that were intended to help people see beauty through their own interpretations, not as the fashion industry has dictated it. Establishing Positive Exposure he has spent the last 17 years working to achieve that objective.

Rick's web site is http://www.positiveexposure.org  . A slide show of his photographs can be seen at
www.positiveexposure.org/gallery
 

Betsy Otter Thompson

has had a varied career that has taken many fascinating twists and turns. All of her various efforts have, however, had one common thread: she has always gravitated towards the media. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Betsy worked as an account executive for several radio stations before becoming a commercial print model and actor in television commercials.

For seventeen years, she worked in Los Angeles at the motion picture and television company Castle Rock Entertainment as the Assistant to the Chairman and CEO. In August '99, she followed her boss to Warner Bros. as he took a new position there as President and COO, and became his Executive Assistant.

She is now writing full time, a commitment that began unexpectedly while she was passing through an especially difficult time in her life. Her latest book published earlier this year – LoveHuman - offers valuable guidance regarding how to find comfort in a world where uncomfortable things happen.

Her web site is http://www.betsythompson.com

 

August 2015 Show
Megan Hustings

serves as Director of Operations at the National Coalition for Homelessness. Multitalented, she has handled grant writing, website construction and also developed social media strategies, awareness and fundraising campaigns during the more than 7 years she has worked at that organization.

Almost more than anything else, however, Ms. Hustings remains committed to dispelling myths about homelessness. She notes, for example, that while many people believe food pantries and soup kitchens answer the nutritional needs of the homeless that assumption does not take into account some “harsh realities” this population faces.

They might not have places where they can prepare or store food. And they, likewise, often have mobility and other challenges that prevent them from traveling to these facilities. Or, local ordinances might limit the outreach of these centers.

Founded thirty years ago, the Washington, D.C.-based coalition provides direct services to the homeless and also advocates on their behalf. Its web site is http://nationalhomeless.org/

 

Charlie Mosbrook

Among other things, Charlie Mosbrook is contemporary singer/ songwriter. Strong traditional folk sensibilities, utilizing guitar, mandolin, harmonica, fiddle, banjo and other acoustic instruments, accompany his rich distinctive baritone voice. One highlight of this 25-year career: he was voted Cleveland Scene Magazine’s "Best Singer Songwriter" in 2011.

Heard throughout the world, his music has been featured on radio programs such as FolkAlley.com and The Midnight Special national folk show. His newest CD Something To Believe (2013) was recently picked as CD of the week by Rich Warren for WFMT's Midnight Special.

In addition to his musical pursuits, Charlie has completed multiple Ironman triathlon's and marathons. Since becoming an incomplete quadripaligic in 2010, he has remained active with the use of a handcycle and as a swimmer. In an effort to give hope to others who have suffered similar injuries, he regularly performs for patients recovering at Cleveland's MetroHealth Spinal Cord Injury unit.

His web site is http://www.charliemosbrook.com

 

 

July 2015 Show

Diane Snyder Cowan directs the Hospice of the Western Reserve’s Elizabeth Severance Prentiss Bereavement Center. And in that position, she attempts to be what might be termed a good listener. By her accounting, that entails not only paying close attention to what clients say through words or unspoken gestures but also remaining connected to the ever shifting climate that is transforming grief counseling.

And she is not reticent about approaching topics that were considered taboo only a few short years ago. Ms. Cowan has, for example, written about grief when it emanates from a drug overdose, acknowledging that the bereaved feel "guilty," as the "should haves," "could haves," and "if onlys" bubble constantly through their consciousness. She suggests that coming too understand the nature of addiction and the fact it can fly out of anybody’s control might help to assuage some of these painful feelings.

Ms. Cowan is certified as a Music Therapist and Palliative Care Administrator. You can reach her the center at 1-216-486-6838. http://www.hospicewr.org .

 
Spencer Levine serves as the Vice President for Programs at the Washington-D.C. based Hospice Foundation of America. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the foundation seeks to educate the public on end of life issues and provide clinicians with continuing professional education to improve care. Its mission: provide leadership in the development and application of hospice and its philosophy of care with the goal of enhancing the U.S. health care system and the role of hospice within it.

Mr. Levine’s previous experience is quite varied and includes serving as news writer for ABC News, assignment editor for CBS News and producer for HGTV (Home and Garden Television).

The foundation’s website is http://www.hospicefoundation.org  Through that website it offers a service entitled “Ask the Expert” which allows visitors to make inquires of medical and other professionals. It also provides a directory of hospices plus resources on end of life care.
 

 

June 2015 Show

 

Dr. Donna Halper has always loved sports, particularly baseball. And when she was quite young, she had thoughts about becoming a sports writing. As a girl growing up back in the 1950s, however, she was discouraged from following that career path. So, she left it essentially unpersued.
But she has worked her way down many other roads as a radio consultant, radio disc jockey and music director.   The author of six books, she wrote Invisible Stars: A Social History of Women In American Broadcasting, which was considered ground breaking for its time And she has also gained much from working as Big Sister and as an advocate for an adult with autism
These days she is a professor at Lesley University in Massachusetts after having earned a PhD. in 2011. As an interesting point, she is obviously a woman who was ahead of her times but is still somebody who admits to having mixed feelings about digitalization.
Dr. Halper’s web site is http://www.donnahalper.com 

 

Roland Halpern  Affiliated with the Denver-based Compassion and Choices, Roland Halpern lectures on end-of-life concerns and the need for aid-in-dying laws, such as those enacted in Oregon, Washington and Vermont. He maintains that American’s views on these matters have transitioned over the years. And in making that statement, he points to 2014 Gallup poll results. They indicated that 69 percent of Americans responded “yes” when asked: When a person has a disease that cannot be cured, do you think doctors should be allowed by law to end the patient’s life by some painless means if the patient and his or her family request it?

This survey utilized the same question that has been employed for decades. So, Mr. Halapern believes the fact an increasing number of Americans are responding in the affirmative is

significant. He also maintains that safeguards in death with dignity laws will prevent them from being utilized to jeopardize persons living with disabilities.

Mr. Halpern’s web site is http://www.compassionandchoices.org 
 

 

May 2015 Show
Sean Caulfield  Most typically, when professionals discuss efforts that team people who have dementia with people who support them, they use terms like “caregivers” and “care recipients.” But Sean Caulfield, creative director for the I'm Still Here Foundation, refers to all the participants in the program he helps direct as being "care partners."

Sure, one of these "partners" might have memory issues. But by Sean's accounting, they are still an important part of the team as they contribute a great deal during the museum tours his organization arranges. He maintains that even if they do not always remember what happens during these events, they still have an amazing ability to draw impressions from the art they encounter as they make their way through galleries.

And in explaining why they display this talent, he notes "Art has the ability to transcend the limitations of conventional communication and language, leading to rich emotional connections and enabling people with Alzheimer's to break out of their shells, to become awakened."

Sean’s website is http://www.imstillhere.org/
 
Dr. Marilyn Rantz has been affiliated with Missouri University’s Sinclair School of Nursing (MUSSON) since 1992. And her pioneering work aimed at upgrading nursing home care quality spans an even longer period of time, going back 30 years.

During late 2012, Dr. Rantz secured a $14.8 million grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for their Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations among Nursing Facility Residents. This was the largest grant ever received across the entire University of Missouri-Columbia campus.

Much of the research she has supervised since receiving this funding has been conducted at TigerPlace. Named in honor of the university’s mascot, TigerPlace is seeking to evolve a new model of independent housing where people can safely age in place while enjoying maximized independence and function. TigerPlace provides both an independent living environment for the area’s seniors and an opportunity for students from a variety of professional areas to interact with older adults.
 

 

April 2015 Show

Abby Gilbert The living arrangement that can prove most nurturing for seniors might not be one that evolved off anybody’s drawing board. Rather, NORCs, natural occurring retirement communities might be the best possible place for elders to age in place. Some seniors who live in these communities move into them as they age while others are long term residents.

And serving as the director of Philadelphia’s Rhawnhurst NORC, Abby Gilbert has learned that little thing such as help changing a light bulb or a reliable ride to the grocery store can make a major difference. They can determine if a senior can remain in the comfort of familiar surroundings. The NORC is run as a partnership between Catholic Health Care Services and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphiia.

In addition to her work with the NORC, Ms. Gilbert also serves as Vice President of the Board of the Klein JCC and is the immediate past president of the TriState Jewish Communal Professionals Association.

Dr. Gayle Doll

The book Gayle Appel Doll wrote about sexuality has received considerable attention. But no, her text is not something salacious or something akin to Fifty Shades of Grey. And she did not script it to shock, titillate or get on “Oprah.” Rather, Dr. Doll wrote "Sexuality in Long-Term Care: Understanding and Supporting the Needs of Older Adults" in the hopes of providing nursing facilities with guidelines that they could employ when dealing with these sensitive matters.


To her, the talking points this text presents – respect residents’ privacy and individuality – are an essential aspect of these institutions becoming more person-oriented. She maintains that they must make strides in that direction if they hope to remain marketable in today’s world. Dr. Doll’s book won merit honors from the 21st annual National Mature Media Awards Program.


Dr. Doll, now the director of the Center on Aging at Kansas State University has a Ph.D. from KSU in Life Span Human Development.

 

March 2015 Show

Dr. Louise Aronson, a Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), has impressive credentials, having graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed an internal medicine residency and geriatric fellowship at UCSF. She currently cares for frail older adults in the Care at Home Program and directs the Northern California Geriatrics Education Center and UCSF Medical Humanities.

A woman of many talents, Dr. Aronson has also won recognition for her writing. Her book A History of the Present Illness takes readers into the lives of doctors, patients and families in the neighborhoods, hospitals and nursing homes of San Francisco. Most recently, she wrote an article – “Necessary Steps: How Health Care Fails Older Patients, And How It Can Be Done Better” that appeared in the March, 2015 issue of Health Affairs. In this story, she employs narrative to make a strong point: establishment the medical establishment needs to redirect the care it provides seniors.

Dr. Aronson’s web site is http://www.louisearonson.com

 
Derek Van Atta

took a fascinating and circuitous journey to become the founder of Solay Superfood. His voyage included: college in Northern California, jobs in a health food store, years spent as a monk in a small Yoga Community where he learned the value of discipline and service to others. Working long hours as the co-founder of a small Silicon Valley – Silly Valley to him – start-up tested Derek's dedication to well-being. But it did not stop him from continuing his study of foods that possess a super high "power-to-weight ratio,” being ultra-nutrient-rich, without having any excess fluff (superfoods).

He became inspired to develop his own health-giving products. And he has spent the last 25 years developing Solay Superfood. His web site is http://www.solarysuperfood.com 

 

February 2015 Show
Dr. Peter Whitehouse

believes that the memory challenges that we all face as we age deserve not just a medical, but a public health and community response. Claims we can cure Alzheimer’s in the near future are hype that creates false expectations of fixes. Genuine hope lies in asking deeper questions about the wonders of our brain, what it means to age, and how we need to support each other in community and in balance with nature. If it even exists it is not one disease but many as is the case with cancer. And it might not be distinguishable from normal brain aging, changes that come to all of us as we mature and that might in many ways make us more fully human. Dr. Whitehouse detailed these thoughts in The Myth of Alzheimer’s: What You Aren’t Being Told about Today’s Most Dreaded Diagnosis.

Dr. Whitehouse is the founder of the University Alzheimer’s Center (now the University Aging and Memory Center at Cleveland’s University Hospital Case Medical Center. He currently serves as a neurologist at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. And he worked closely with his wife, Catherine, in establishing the Intergenerational School which has three campuses in Cleveland and has gained widespread recognition for bringing people in various age groupings together into the classroom.

His web site is http://themythofalzheimers.com/index.php
 

 

January 2015 Show

Artie Kornfeld might be best known as the “Father of Woodstock” the name given to him by the Woodstock Preservation Alliance. But even before he co-produced that music festival which rocked the world during August of 1969, he had begun to make his mark in the music industry. He composed the song “I’m the Pied Piper” which became a hit for many artists and “Dead Man’s Curve” which climbed to the top of the charts when sung by Jan and Dean.

In more recent years, Artie has promoted such artists as Alice Cooper, Linda Ronstadt, Pink Floyd and Melissa Etheridge. And he continues to do his good work and to soak up the sun from his home in southern Florida.

And by the way, he is not the young man you might have seen wearing a leather vest and riding around on his motorcycle in the movie “Woodstock.” That is his partner Michael Lang. Artie was spending his time promoting the event.

His web site is http://www.artiekornfeld-woodstock.com
 

 

December 2014 Show

Dr. Kenneth Dupin MEDCottages are designed to provide the best of both worlds. Residents enjoy all the comforts of home. Yet, they get a definite bonus in the fact that while their privacy is being protected, their security is also ensured.

The robotic equipment in these cottages, which have sleeping plus bathroom areas, monitor vital signs, filter the air for contaminants, and communicate with the outside world very easily. Sensors alert caregivers to problems, and medication reminders are provided via computers.

Dr. Kenneth Dupin has helped has helped N2C which markets MEDcottages grow from being an idea on drawing boards to an enterprise with a product. He has more than 25 years experience in non-profit administration, including organizational goals, capital procurement, financial oversight and membership development.

The website for MedCottges is http://www.medcottage.com

Karen Bowersox first began involved in an effort to establish a clothing line for people with Downs Syndrome when her granddaughter, Maggie, was four. Her daughter planted the idea for what became Downs Designs in her head and she moved onward from that point.

Ms. Bowersox had no prior experience in the apparel industry, but she was already administering her husband’s medical practice and wanted an opportunity to make good use of her business expertise. However, her journey has not necessarily been a smooth one.

Although she searched tirelessly, she could not find any clothing which was designed for people with Down Syndrome and could serve a model for the product she hoped to market. These individuals often have special proportions which makes fitting them difficult.

But she persevered and with is now selling not only jeans but also shirts, shorts and capris. She expects to expand her business she it can serve people who require accessible clothing for any number of reasons

 

November 2014 Show

Jim Swanner As a teacher, instructor, communicator, keynote speaker, clinician, writer and host of ‘All About Horses’ radio, Jim Swanner is dedicated to spreading the word about what he calls “natural horsemanship.” This technique helps humans communicate with horses and horses communicate with humans. Jim acknowledges, however, that reaching it can take riders a life time to reach this level of sensitivity. But he believes that the dedication working towards this goal pays off in big dividends. His web site is http://www.jimswanner.com 

Deanna R. Adams is a multi-published author and speaker, whose latest novel is Scoundrels & Dreamers, the sequel to her debut novel, Peggy Sue Got Pregnant: A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story. Her first book, Rock ’n’ Roll and the Cleveland Connection (Kent State University Press, 2002), was named a finalist for the Ohioana Award for nonfiction, and the ARSC Award (Association for Recorded Sound Collections) for excellence in research. Other books are Confessions of a Not-So-Good Catholic Girl (Infinity Publishing, 2008) and Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Roots (Arcadia Publishing, 2010). Deanna is also an instructor and event coordinator at Lakeland Community College, and instructor for the Cuyahoga County Libraries Lit program, where she speaks and teaches on a number of writing topics. Her website is: www.deannaadams.com

 

October 2014 Show

Frank Sansom's personal experiences caring for family members led him to form Senior Care Authorities which helps families find an appropriate (residential) placement for their elder. These days, there are many available options – assisted living, independent living - and the number is constantly growing. So, making these decisions can become daunting if attempted without professional guidance. Frank also hosts a weekly radio show called "The Aging Boomers" which educates family caregivers and seniors on pertinent issues facing them and makes them away of important resources. Prior to starting Care, Frank was a veteran of the travel industry for 34 years.  http://www.seniorcareauthority.com
 

Laura Mitchell serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for the Wisconsin-based GrandCare which manufactures technology that connects elders with their caregivers, allowing careful tracking of their progress. And her marketing skills will be put to the test as the company evolves both nationally and globally at a rapid pace. It is currently balancing several large international contracts including one with Saga, the UK’s largest in-home care provider. In early 2014, GrandCare entered Canada, joining forces with the in-home care organization Proof of Care. And it is working together with a major homecare franchisor in Australia.  http://www.grandcare.com
 
 

September 2014 Show

Jill Mattson first began studying Sound Healing and its ability to bring minds, bodies, emotions, and energies into better balance more than 20 years ago. Since that point, she has studied this field extensively on her own and has also interviewed leading experts in this modality. And she has turned what she has learned into ongoing efforts to benefit people by practicing this modality. Since the early 2009s, she has worked out of a studio in her home, recording compositions that blend her original music with ancient techniques. Jill's Deep Wave Beauty was a finalist for the COVR Specialty CD of 2012 award. http://www.jillswingsoflight.com/

Donna Seebo has found many outlets for her natural talents: communicating with others and helping those with whom she connects to grow spiritually. She published an award-winning illustrated children’s book, “God’s Kiss.” Along with other texts, including “Mind Magic” and “The Miracle of 8 Pennies,” it is available at www.mrsseebosclassics.com. Since April of this year, she has hosted a radio program on her own station, Delphi Vision Broadcasting. Go to “The Donna Seebo Show for archived broadcasts. During September, 2014 she will be starting a new program “Warriors for Peace” that will feature veterans and others from around the world who are striving to achieve what many view as being an impossible goal: peace.

August 2014 Show

 

Mike Bentley is an Insurance Broker/Consultant who is active in working with non–for-profit organizations and small businesses in providing health insurance and other group benefits.  He is also very active in assisting seniors with their Medicare questions and coverage needs.  He established the Group Benefits Department at The Brooks and Stafford Company in 1998,  where he not only continues serving today as Vice President, but he is also an active educator.  Mike teaches continuing education courses for insurance professionals in Ohio and is also a frequent speaker on health insurance topics.  He is licensed in multiple states and has his office in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

 

Joel Wrobbel began working with older adults in 1985 while guiding an intergenerational ministry with older adults and high school youth. Joel graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago Illinois with a focus in Pastoral Studies. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Health Services from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from North Park University in Chicago, Illinois. Joel has experience serving older adults through his work as a nursing home Psycho-Social Director and providing leadership as a General Partner for a senior living company. He has served as a Director of Resident Services for an independent living community and as a Marketing Director for two continuing care retirement communities. Joel became an Associate of the Eden Alternative in 2005 and is passionate about spreading the message of culture change. Since 2001, Joel has served as the Marketing Director at Westminster-Thurber Community in Columbus, Ohio. To learn more about the Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Service visit www.oprs.org

July 2014 Show

Dr. Steven Zarit
Zarit is a Pennsylvania State University professor, has conducted extensive aimed at finding ways whereby family care givers can reduce the stress they are they are experiencing. His most recent studies focus upon the benefits that caregivers derive when their elder attends a day care facility. This arrangement not only grants them a valuable respite from their care giving “responsibilities,” it also provides them with a support system. His studies indicate that having this support results in caregivers' level of stress hormones decreasing.

Dr. Zarit developed the Zarit Burden interview that measures the extent to which care giving might be placing a "burden" upon those who accept this "responsibility." This instrument has been used extensively in both therapeutic and research settings. His web site is http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/profile/StevenZarit#sthash.1jF9yHaX.dpuf

Paul Malley
Paul Malley is President, Aging with Dignity, a national non-profit organization with a mission to affirm and safeguard the human dignity of individuals as they age and to promote better care for those near the end of life. The life and work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta served as the inspirational foundation of Aging with Dignity. The Florida-based organization is best known as the creator and distributor of the Five Wishes advance directive, of which there are currently more than 20 million in national circulation. Five Wishes is easy to understand and use and addresses all of a person’s needs – medical, legal, personal, emotional and spiritual. It’s been called “the living will with a heart and soul.” You can preview Five Wishes by visiting www.agingwithdignity.org.

Paul Malley and the work of Aging with Dignity have been featured in national media including the CBS, NBC, and ABC evening news, CNN, MSNBC, NBC Today Show, Good Morning America, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Newsweek, Time, and Consumer Reports.

6-18-2014 Show

Dr. Georgina Cannon
Georgina is an award-winning, board-certified, master consulting hypnotist. An accredited life coach, she is recognized as the public face and respected member of Canada's complimentary health community. In recognition of that fact, Georgina has appeared as a regular guest on national and international television and radio programs.

During 2004, Shirley MacLaine read Georgina’s first book, RETURN – Past Life Regression and You, and contacted Georgina for a radio interview. She subsequently invited Georgina to host her chatroom a few times a year.
 

Suzanne Caplan
Suzanne Caplan who serves as the Founder and CEO of The Community Center for Aging in Place (CCAIP) is uniquely equipped to help this organization reach its goal of upgrading services for seniors in Southeastern Pennsylvania. She is the author of 13 books on business techniques, including her most recent volume - Strong Women: Confessions of a Smug Feminist. 

Ms. Caplan has also presented seminars throughout the US and the UK. Suzanne, providing older entrepreneurs with guidelines that will help them make their business more efficient.

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