Category: Connection
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Speak. Trust. Receive. A Caregiver’s Prayer When You Don’t Understand
Sometimes the most powerful thing a caregiver can do is admit, “I don’t understand—but I trust You.” That was one of the messages at the heart of our August 20th family caregivers meeting. We gathered for an afternoon of what I call Care & Prayer, where group members fellowship, have honest conversations, and find encouragement. Our…
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Why Family Caregivers Inspired My Book
The author reflects on their deep love for her sister and mother, emphasizing the pressure of caregiving after a divorce. Despite seeking help, she felt isolated and responsible for her family without a support network. Establishing a caregiver support group has become a passion, aiming to provide understanding and resources. She wrote a book to…
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As Seen On… Awesome G…
Awesome Gang recently featured Beating the Isolation Trap, sharing the story behind the book, why I wrote it, and my passion for helping family caregivers overcome isolation and reconnect with hope.
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Just the Beginning…
July 18 always gives me reason to pause. Today I remember the incorporation of a visionary idea that became the Greater Ocala Community Development Corporation (GOCDC). Long before I became an employee, I was a young female board member who simply said yes—yes to the work, the vision, and yes to believing our community deserved greater opportunity. It…
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Family Caregivers Strike Up Friendship at the Bowling Alley 🎳
Sometimes the best support group doesn’t meet around a table. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 What a joy-filled afternoon! This week, our MBC Caregivers traded our usual meeting space for bowling shoes, pizza, laughter, and wonderful fellowship at Bowlero Lucky Strike in Ocala. We bowled two games on two lanes, cheered each…
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Making Connection for a Better Church Experience
The seminar “Inclusion and Advocacy in the Church,” co-facilitated by Chatequa Pinkston, highlighted the underrepresentation of individuals with disabilities in churches, with 80% of affected families reportedly not attending. Advocating for inclusivity and building supportive communities can empower caregiver families and enhance church participation, fostering connection and understanding among members.
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Sometimes Life Happens Before You Get a Chance to Celebrate
A few weeks ago, the Ocala Gazette shared news of my book, Beating the Isolation Trap: An Authentic Caregiver’s Guide to Reconnecting, Recharging and Thriving. I meant to share it. Then, well…life happened. 😊 Perhaps that’s fitting. Caregivers know better than most how quickly life can rearrange the calendar. Am I right, caregivers? So, as the Ocala Gazette celebrates six years…
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🇺🇸 Caregiving Among the Founding Generation ❤️
As we continue to celebrate Freedom Month, I found myself wondering, What did caregiving look like during America’s founding years? What I discovered fascinated me. Many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, contributors to the U.S. Constitution, and their families experienced disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental health struggles, and the challenges of aging. Families living with disability…
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🇺🇸Faith, Freedom & Fellowship: Highlights from Our July Caregivers Club
Holidays can look different for caregivers. As family caregivers, holidays can bring mixed emotions. While many families celebrate with cookouts and fireworks, others quietly navigate mobility challenges, sensory sensitivities, chronic pain, medical neccessities, or simply the isolation that caregiving can bring. My family, like many others, will use this God-given technology (TV, Screens, Movies) to…
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Honoring America’s 250th Birthday Together🇺🇸
Our first Thursday meeting takes place tonight. Don’t forget to grab a cup of iced tea (it’s hot out there in Florida!) and get cozy in your favorite chair or on the couch. You’re warmly invited to a casual, uplifting gathering as we reflect on God’s hand in American history. Together, we’ll share stories of…