Philadelphia Eagles Player Takes Grieving Daughter to Dance

Holly reached out on social media to Audrey’s favorite football player, Eagles safety Anthony Harris, and asked if he would fly to Texas and take Audrey to the dance.

“It’s kind of far-fetched … It’s a big ask,” Holly said in an interview with ABC News. “I just asked if he would come—if he’d be willing to come … We would all do anything for our kids when we see them suffering.”

To her surprise and delight, Harris responded warmly and enthusiastically. “He said, ‘Not only will I come, I want to make sure she feels like a princess,’” she said.

Read more about this heart-warming story

Support Program for Nurses to Deal with Grief and Anxiety

“I was quickly overwhelmed with the weight of so many sick and unstable patients, not knowing if and when things would ever get back to ‘normal.’ Once again, Imagine created a program for me to turn to with people who understood how I feel; people who understood what I was facing on a daily basis at work.”

The nature of the program’s virtual environment breaks down geographic boundaries for those seeking support. Nurses from New Jersey and throughout the country are welcome to attend.

“New Jersey is no longer a hotspot for Covid-19, but many of the nurses here are processing what they went through and bracing for a possible resurgence,” Robinson said. “Meanwhile, there are nurses in other states in similar positions to where we were a few months ago. Sharing these stories, fears, and challenges at all different stages in a peer support model is proven to be an effective way to learn coping strategies.”

Mark Wahlberg on Guilt and Grief in ‘Good Joe Bell’

The first event at which we see Joe Bell (Mark Wahlberg) speak his anti-bullying message can’t help but make you laugh. He’s standing on-stage with a disheveled look cultivated by a weeks-long journey on foot, spouting more nervous “ums” then concrete dialogue as his son Jadin (Reid Miller) watches at the back of the auditorium. The scene lasts less than two minutes before Bell asks the audience of teenagers if they have any questions as though his awkward presence was enough to spark conversation let alone change. It’s the epitome of performative allyship and self-assuaging action that can often do more harm than good. An empty speech won’t inspire people to embrace a cause. It will instead embolden the intolerant into believing their opponents have nothing to say.

Let’s be honest: Bell didn’t have anything to say. His cross-country mission was built upon superficial notions of tolerance that society loves to present as fact despite often refusing to put them into practice. Yes, we shouldn’t discriminate against people different than us. Yes, Jadin shouldn’t have endured what he did as an openly gay teen in an ultra-conservative Oregonian town. Yes, Joe …

Suicide Risk Rises Sharply. 6 Steps to Help Prevent Suicide

The Covid-19 pandemic has put mental health for so many people at great risk.  Here are a few quick steps to get yourself on firmer footing.

  1. Get off social media.  The correlation between depression and anxiety and heavy social media usage is well documented.
  2. Explore nature.  Get out and enjoy God’s good earth.
  3. Walk every day.   Just a 30 minute walk goes a long way towards good health, physically and mentally.
  4. Socialize.  Make real social connections… in person.
  5. Read every day.  If you’re a Christian, start your morning each day by reading’s God’s Word.
  6. Start a Gratitude Journal.  If you’re reading this, you’re likely better off than 99% of the world’s population.  You have many blessings.  It helps to write them down and review them each morning or at bed time.

“A startling report released Thursday by the CDC found that 10.7% of Americans reported seriously contemplating suicide in the 30 days before the survey, issued over the last week of June, was conducted.

Grief Help logoThat’s in contrast to the 4.3% who reported the same thing over the course of 2018. The percentages were far higher in certain populations, including ethnic and racial minorities, and essential workers.

The report, which surveyed 5,412 Americans, also found that about a quarter had symptoms of anxiety and about the same percentage had symptoms of depression.”

Read the rest about the rising suicide risk due to Covid-19 pandemic decisions.

Raising Money for Fallen Sheriff who Left Behind Pregnant Wife

The account has collected more than $600,000 for the Gutzwiller family as of today. To donate, click here.

Gutzwiller, 38, left behind a 2-year-old son and a wife who is three weeks away from delivering their second child.

“Our law enforcement community is in mourning and is asking for your donations for the family,” the fundraiser website states. “No amount of monies will make this tragedy right, but it will allow the people Damon cared about most to continue their lives without thoughts of financial issues. All monies donated will go directly to his family.”   Full details here on the Fall Sheriff’s fundraiser.

Original story here

Understanding Grief

by Rich Nilsen

“Grief only comes in one size, extra large.” — Dennis Manning

If grief can be summed up in a nutshell, it is how we feel now that an important person is no longer in our life. In essence, we hurt and feel sorry for ourselves. Our focus is usually on what WE lost. Grief, of course, is a normal reaction to the loss of someone or something. Each of us will handle these feelings in our own way and in our own time. There is no blueprint to the process and no timetable to how long you will hurt.

 

Author J. William Worden describes four facets of mourning:

1 – Accepting the reality of the loss

2 – Experiencing the pain of grief

3 – Adjusting to an environment without the lost loved one

4 – Reinvesting emotional energy in life

 

Having been through the complete grief process, I can relate to each of these “steps.” Accepting the loss almost immediately helped me move on with my mourning quicker, although it didn’t make anything easier.

I cannot help you acknowledge the reality of your loss. Only you can do that, and hopefully you are well past that stage by the time you receive this book.

Sometimes, intense feelings of grief will catch us by surprise. It may startle you when you fall “into the pits” several months after the tragedy. It is at this time that many people will be expecting you to be over your loss. Don’t believe them. It is only normal for this to happen. Just remember your grief is unique. No one else is just like you. No one else had the same relationship with the person who died.

Understand that a main purpose of grief is to help you reach the point in your life when you can remember without the pain.

What I present later in this guide are several steps to help you get through the grieving process in a positive way.

 

How do I pay for Hospice Care?

Answers to 6 common questions about Hospice Care

Paying for hospice care shouldn’t be a financial burden. And, in most cases, it doesn’t have to be. Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances, making it affordable for almost everyone.

Not convinced? Read below for answers to some of the most common questions people have about hospice care and the Medicare Hospice Benefit.

1. Who is eligible for hospice benefits?

An individual is eligible to receive hospice benefits if they are certified by two doctors (typically their family physician or specialist and the hospice medical director) as having six months or less to live if their illness follows its natural course.

2. What services are covered by Medicare and other insurers?

Hospice is designed to provide patients and families with high-quality end-of-life care and support. Coverage usually includes a wide range of services, such as…

What To Do After A Fall At Work 

You commit a lot of time and energy to your job, so it only makes sense you want to feel safe when you’re there! While you can try to be as careful as possible, there are times when you may find yourself in a challenging situation in the workplace.

For example, you could experience a painful fall at work and not have any idea of what to do next. What you need to do is learn what steps you should take so you can properly handle this unfortunate turn of events and make sure you’re protected. Try to stay calm and remember that what’s most important is that you attend to any injuries.

Document the Incident with A Supervisor

After a fall at work, it’s highly recommended you contact a supervisor and document your accident. Give them details about what happened to you in writing and include specifics, so there are no gray areas later on. Inspect the spot where you fell and describe exactly what occurred and what you were doing at the time of the incident. Find out what the reporting procedures are at your workplace and complete any required documents immediately.

Identify any Witnesses & Take Photos

You also want to take time to identify any witnesses who may have seen the accident play out. Doing so will save you a lot of headaches down the road when it’s your word against your employer’s. Ask those who were around you at the time to also give their recollection of what they saw. Also, take photos of where the fall took place and collect any other evidence you can to help prove your case.

Get Treated by A Doctor

Regardless of how bad of a fall you take, it’s always a wise idea to see a doctor following your accident. You never know what injuries may pop up later due to your specific fall, so you want to make sure you’re evaluated and treated properly. You’ll also want these records available to you in the future when you need to take care of medical bills and show your employer what injuries you have experienced due to the incident in the workplace.

Verify You have Grounds for A Personal Injury Compensation Claim

It’s always important to see if you have grounds for a personal injury compensation claim after a fall at work. You don’t know what’s possible until you ask and get input from those who work with victims in similar situations as you. It’s important you contact professionals such as The Compensation Experts and have a conversation with them about your case in particular. They’ll be able to analyze the details, give you useful advice and recommend any next steps.

Conclusion

Falling at work can be a scary situation, and you may not be thinking clearly at the time of the accident. Take advantage of these suggestions for what you should do after you get hurt at work. Most importantly, attend to any injuries promptly and make sure you continue to heal nicely.

Tips to Plan For Your Future if You’ve Been Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s Disease

If you have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, know that you are not fighting this battle alone. In 2017, the estimated number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease was 5.5 million. This staggering number doesn’t include those who are living and coping with Alzheimer’s Disease on a daily basis and haven’t been officially diagnosed.

 

Any healthcare professional will tell you that knowledge is power when dealing with a medical diagnosis, so the best advice to plan for your future is to be proactive and utilize all of the resources readily available to you.

 

Preparing, planning, and thinking ahead will alleviate stress and allow you to be mindful of the changes that can you expect to encounter.

 

Here are some helpful tips that will allow you to better plan for your future if you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease:

 

Educate Yourself on the Resources Available

A great starting point is the Alzheimer’s Association. Here you can learn the intricacies of Alzheimer’s Disease, the symptoms and different stages, treatment options, research studies conducted, and most importantly, a community of like-minded individuals that understand the struggles.

 

There is even a helpline that is available 24/7 at 800-272-3900 where you can call in at all hours to discuss your concerns or ask a probing question.

 

Another great resource is the library. In particular, we like the best-selling book, written by Nancy L. Mace, MA and Peter V. Rabins, MD, MPH. “The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementias, and Memory Loss”. This is wonderful guide with sensible and legal advice for families and caregivers alike.

 

Assemble Your Care Team

Choosing your care team is an important decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly. This team will be your core support and the main group that you will share your struggles and triumphs with.

 

It’s important to establish a support system with people who have your best interest at heart, but it is just as important to keep things light-hearted, so be sure to include those who will put a smile on your face and make you laugh.

 

Your team should include family members near and far, close friends, neighbors, your medical team, and members of your social groups. Your care team will expand over time and change since many caregivers also suffer with memory loss concerns and may also be experiencing the same symptoms and therefore will need their own care team at some point.

 

Be Open to Receiving Help

It’s not uncommon for patients who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease to become resistant to help due to shame, ego, pride, or a combination of attributes. If you have been diagnosed, you owe it to yourself and your family to being open to accepting help. This step will go a long way and assist in building your self-esteem and, in turn, improve your mindset and personal well-being.

 

One important item that could assist with this step is to create a list of your daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Having a list in place will allow you to see what areas of your life can benefit from help and alleviate the guesswork when the time comes to ask.

 

Legal Planning

Having a plan in place to secure your future is a vital step that everyone should have established. However, it is even more important to initiate the legal planning phase if you are starting to have memory loss concerns.

 

The first step is to choose a trusted legal advisor who will assist you in navigating through this process. There are a number of resources to help you in choosing the right person, but if you don’t know where to start, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends a community resource finder that provides a list of elder attorneys in several locations; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys has a great list and LawHelp.org also provides a list of no-cost or reduced cost legal aid solutions in your community.

 

The four basics of legal planning include making a record of all legal documents and keeping everything up to date, creating a plan for properties and finances, creating a health care plan that includes long-term care options, and naming a person that can make decisions on your behalf when you no longer can. Your legal advisor will help you determine what documentation is necessary and assist you in completing them. Once the documentation is completed, it is important to distribute to everyone in your care team.

 

Financial Planning

Creating a solid financial plan for your future is key with Alzheimer’s disease, so the sooner you learn about your diagnosis the better. You want to ensure that your future is secure and if you don’t have the financial means to ensure you can afford your medical expenses, you’ll need to explore the many resources available to you.

 

The first step is to complete a financial planning worksheet. This will help you organize financial information that you can then share with your financial advisor and your care team.

 

End of Life Planning

Discussing your final wishes with your loved ones and health care professionals while you are conscious and healthy will serve you best in the end. As difficult as these conversations may be, it is crucial to be honest with yourself and your care team about your end of life goals. You’ll want to consider a number of important factors, including life-sustaining treatments, funeral and burial planning, and hospice care, just to name a few.

 

Be Good to Yourself

Planning for your future can be a daunting task but it shouldn’t take away from living a happy, positive, and fulfilling life. During your planning phase, be sure to include all of the activities that enrich your life and enlighten your soul – whether gardening, working out or simply going for a walk. Incorporating this natural therapy into your life plan will not only benefit you – your loved ones will appreciate and need this just as much.

 

Billy Graham ‘Achieved a Great Deal More Than Most People Ever Think About’

children grief helpAuthor William Martin learned with the rest of the world that the subject of his biography, “A Prophet With Honor: The Billy Graham Story,” (February 21) at age 99. An updated version of the 1991 book was scheduled to be published on March 6, months ahead of what would have been Graham’s 100th birthday. Martin, 80,… [Read more…]