Insights, Blogs & News
It’s Not a Laughing Matter
A diabetic, a blind man and an amputee walk into a bar. The bartender says, “What is this – some kind of joke?” Having a disability is no joke according to IDA Advisory Board Member and Neurohumorist expert, Karyn Buxman, RN, MSN. “But it can be a laughing matter. Pain, suffering, isolation, stress, depression, financial hardships – the problems can seem never ending. And to survive you need all the possible tools in your tool belt that you can find. One tool that is frequently overlooked is humor.” “Science is affirming what we’ve suspected all along – laughter is good medicine. […]
A Hope to Believe
I am sure you have heard of the phrase, “Well at least you have your health.” People use these words as encouragement after a tragedy or loss of a friend or loved one or maybe even for themselves. Yet, what if you don’t have your health? What if life has thrown you a curve ball caused by illness or injury? What if your body went from healthy to having a disability, sometimes suddenly? As with any loss, a person whose life is changed by tragedy and disability usually experiences the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. […]
Lift Up, Not Tear Down
I attended a fundraiser in Denver this past week that supported the Carson J Spencer Foundation. The foundation was formed by Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas to honor her brother Carson who lived with mental illness and eventually took his own life. Many attendees were impacted by suicide including the host, renowned photographer John Fielder, who lost his son to suicide in 2006. The Carson J Spencer Foundation is making a huge difference in prevention and of providing hope. Although the evening was about the loss and tragedy of suicide, it was also about the triumph and resilience of the human spirit in […]
We Salute Paws and Stripes
I broke my arm and … was diagnosed with PTSD and a brain injury, walking around like a zombie in ‘The Walking Dead,’ Jim Stanek recently told TheBlaze. I was isolating myself. I didn’t want to socialize with people … I couldn’t remember things. For me, being a vet with PTSD, I’ve been called a ‘crazy war vet’ or that ‘I’m not all there,’ Jim said. One of my biggest things … we’re not crazy. We’re normal for what we have been through. I think that is truly one of the most important things for this country to understand.
Imagine!
Imagine a world where people have the time to spend with, learn about, and empathize with people faced with an unforeseen catastrophe. Imagine a world where family and friends would unite to take challenges head on while supporting one another through the hardships of life. The synergistic effect of embracing “we” instead of “I” would create a place of belonging for all. Below, I will share four important keys to making the world a more empathetic place! Mindfulness: The first approach in advocating for an empathetic world must take place from within by practicing mindfulness. We can better help each other […]
To Be or Not to Be an Inspiration
The online Merriam-Webster dictionary has the following definitions for the word inspire to make (someone) want to do something to give (someone) an idea about what to do or create to cause (something) to happen or be created to cause someone to have (a feeling or emotion) Therefore, it follows that an inspiration is a person who inspires others. It seems based upon the definition that to be an inspiring person is a good thing. Someone who makes others want to do something, or create or even be moved by emotion.