Shows
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE16: Intentional LivingIn this unforgettable episode, we broke new ground by podcasting face-to-face—no Zoom required. Lara and her special friend, Grant Trevarthen, visited Tom and me for a few days, and we had the privilege of having Grant as our very first guest. Lara and Grant, both living in the ALS Beyond, shared their experiences and insights with deep sincerity. Being in their presence was truly an honor. I've recorded many episodes across this podcast and "This Caregiver Life," but I have to say, this one touched my heart the most. It stands out as my absolute favorite....2024-08-221h 11
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE15: Stretching Our Wings In this episode, we’re embracing new horizons. One of us has been on exciting adventures, exploring both nationally and globally, while the other has been discovering the beauty and challenges of staying local. Join us as we share the lessons we’ve learned and reflect on how our lives are evolving.To our beloved ALS Caregiver & Beyond community, thank you for being with us on this journey. Your experiences and stories inspire us every day.Much love, Lara & MarP.S. We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a note and le...2024-08-191h 21
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE14: Catching Up with Lara & MarThe first quarter of the year is wrapping up and it's been a whirlwind for both of us. We share where we are in this caregiver life (Mar) and where we are in the Beyond (Lara). There has been lots of growth for both of us. As always there isn't a minute of our conversations that we do not enjoy thoroughly. No one sees us more clearly than those who know ALS. We talked about Mel Robbin's podcast episode: The #1 Menopause Doctor: How to Lose Belly Fat, Sleep Better, & Stop Suffering Now with Mary Clare...2024-03-2749 min
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE13: Meditation Mindfulness In this episode, Mary and Lara discuss the strategies they have learned and continue to practice to help ease the ALS caregiver and survivor journey. Both Mary and Lara discuss how they came to these practices at a time that was right for them. They both still struggle with their journey, but having something to lean into when the journey becomes too hard has been the key to finding their paths forward. We hope that by seeing how differently we both came to mindfulness and meditation it is never too late or too early to find peace in the...2024-01-1652 min
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE12: 'tis the season strategies This time of year, the holidays, can be a challenge for us in the ALS community, now and in the afterlife. We do our best to figure out ways to make it palatable. Sometimes we succeed. Sometimes we don't. It's very individual to know what will work for you. Lara and I agree that staying away from Social Media for a few days before, during, and after a holiday can be helpful.Several years ago, when I was fully engaged in co-hosting the podcast "This Caregiver Life" I interviewed Lara. Lara shared her strategy for getting through...2023-12-0843 min
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE11: When Sympathy Goes SidewaysLara and Mary dig into their experiences when sympathy from others produces big feelings that are not always positive. Lara says "It's the look" and it is, isn't it? They also share some big laughs when Mary shares the crazy things Tom says! With each podcast, it is easy to see how this concept can be applied to them: To be listened to is healing. (The Covenant of Water, Abraham Verghese). If you are struggling, please find someone who will listen you without judgment.Check out Lara's latest blog post: https://tomstroops.com/Check out...2023-11-1740 min
I Lost My PersonVeterans and ALSSend us a textAlison and Dave talk about ALS and Veterans Day. Happy birthday to Alison and Garrett! Juan Reyes is a Veteran living with ALS. We recap the NYC Marathon weekend. November is Caregivers month.Thank you to all military veterans!!!Learn more about Juan Reyes here:https://alstexasdad.com/Join us on November 14th at 3:00 EST for I Am ALS Podcasting Panelhttps://iamals.org/action/podcasting-panel/Meet Your PanelistsMary Hahn Ward, ALS Caregivers and Beyond(Co-hosted...2023-11-111h 03
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE10: Finding GraceMary & Lara chat about finding grace and its value to their life. They have each discovered in their own way that grace frees them from the constraints of feeling guilty, encourages them to be kind to themselves, and gives their hearts relief. Have you found the gift of grace? Please let us know and we will share it on the podcast. We enjoyed another Pema quote this episode: From the very beginning to the very end, pointing to our own hearts to discover what is true isn't just a matter of honesty but...2023-11-0649 min
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE9: The Need to BelongLara and Mary explore the need to belong, the loss of belonging, and the uncertainties of future belongingness and how they feel about it. This may resonate with ALS caregivers and those living the beyond life. Their belongingness tends to be in lanes they didn't seek out or expect. The Science Behind Our Need to Belong - Insights into the history, present, and future of belonging researchBrene Brown's book Atlas of the HeartMary's new craft shop can be found: cottageatmarehaven.etsy.comLara's blog: https://tomstroops.com/Lara's email...2023-10-2036 min
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE8: A Fix-it? Yes, that is exactly what Lara and Mary are becoming...fix-its. They are learning to fix the practical and seemingly improbable, such as a water irrigation system! The more they learn to fix, the more confident they become in their abilities. Mary shares a quote that finds solace in over and over again: “Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apar...2023-10-1335 min
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE7: Advocacy in Action Part 2 - LegislationHello! Welcome to episode 7. Lara and Mary wrap up their conversation regarding the Elizabeth Dole Act. Check out their conversation regarding the pieces of it that are most relevant to our veterans with ALS and their caregivers. As is their way, Lara and Mary start off the podcast discussing their current events, as well as, emotional temperature! As they close out the podcast they leave us with their evolving conversation around gratitude. Mare reads a poem by John O'Donohue: May all that is unforgiven in you, Be released. May your fears yield 2023-10-0449 min
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE6: Scratching for Gratitude Gratitude can be a challenge to find some days. In this ALS Caregiver & Beyond life, Lara and Mary embrace a practice of mindfulness and gratitude. For the days they fail to find something to be grateful for they have their fallbacks, such as being thankful for a sunny day, good weather, or a cup of coffee in the morning. Why bother if you have to scratch for some gratitude? Because it forces at least one positive thought into their day and that alone can shift a down day into a better one. Here are a list of...2023-09-2649 min
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE5: Advocacy in Action Part 1 - LegislationIn episode four we talked about advocacy and our efforts over the years. Today, we dig deeper into a piece of legislation, the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act 2023. The components of the legislation we focused on in this podcast are the following:Create a centralized website to share information and resources related to home and community-based programs and help veterans and caregivers determine their eligibilityExpand access to home and community-based alternative care programs to veterans at all VA medical facilities, including veterans living in U.S. territories and Native veterans enrolled in Indian Health Service (IHS) or tribal...2023-09-2128 min
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE4: Advocacy - Your Voice MattersLara and Mary talk advocacy in this episode. First, they check in with one another and discover that they each had an unexpected recent experience. They talk a bit about how these experiences indicate personal growth. Then they dig into advocacy, their why, and how. They have spent so much time using their voices in small and big ways for the ALS community, in particular, the veterans with ALS lane.Mary's testimony at a Senate subcommittee on Aging regarding Military Caregivers: https://www.c-span.org/person/?108683/MaryHahnWardMary and Lara's book: Thinking Through VA Benefits...2023-09-121h 10
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE3: Meeting Us Where We areLara and Mary share how the ins and outs of navigating their emotions are tricky sometimes. They can lose sight of life outside of ALS and the places it takes their feelings. They have learned how to meet their own selves in the place they are in with self-kindness. Take a listen. Send them a message if you'd like to share with them or perhaps be a guest on the podcast. They'd love to hear from you!Lara: laragarey@yahoo.comMary: maryhahnward@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters...2023-09-0646 min
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE2: QuicksandSome days are like quicksand. We can't move, forward or backward. Moving backward could be an option if it meant it helped us move. We'd much rather move forward. We get stuck. Join us as we talk about where we are right now in our heads and hearts.To reach out to us send an email to either Lara Garey: laragarey@yahoo.comor Mary Ward: maryhahnward@gmail.com#ALS #ALScaregivers #ALSsurvivors --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mary-hahn-ward9/message2023-08-2436 min
ALS Caregivers and BeyondE1: Just MoreIn this first episode, Lara and Mary share big feelings about how the disease impacts them and the role of advocacy in their lives. Storytelling is something they have in common. It helps them cope with life. They are hopeful that through their stories and conversation on the podcast, others will find comfort and perhaps see themselves. They love humor and use it often to lighten their load.We'd love to hear from you. Questions? Comments? Message us at maryhahnward@gmail.com and/or laragarey@yahoo.comThank you for listening! --- Send...2023-08-1841 min
This Caregiver Life ™E18: Upside Down HolidaysCaregiver, Lara Garey, loves the holidays. She shares that over the years, traditions evolved that her family loves. When her husband was diagnosed with ALS she created new ones, like an upside Christmas tree, to help them lovingly hold onto the memories of those traditions pre-disease.
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www.thiscaregiverlife.com2019-11-1815 min
This Caregiver Life ™E5: Cherish the MomentsLara Garey is our guest on this podcast. Lara is the spouse, and caregiver, of an Air Force veteran with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS. Lara is also a newly appointed Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow. In this podcast, Lara does not hold back on how deep she is into the caregiving role. She fit in this interview while her husband, Tom, was in ICU.
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Comments or suggestions for This Caregiver Life? Please email us at thiscaregiverlife@gmail.com2019-04-1639 min