A Christmas Story of Giving

Editor’s note: Member Trina Sonnenberg sent this heartwarming, true story to Rick Beneteau to use in the 9th campaign for his annual toy drive in conjunction with the official Toys for Tots program.  Her wish is that if you like her story, to visit the Internet Toy Drive website and put a smile on the face of a needy child this Christmas Day.

Oh, about seventeen years ago, I was spending Christmas as a newly divorced, single mother. I was 26 years old and my son was three. I worked two jobs, just to afford to live in a housing project, in a very scary neighborhood. I had no Christmas tree, I had no money, I had no gifts for my little boy. Not one! Talk about depressing… Read more

Moral Distress in Healthcare: the Value of Dying with Dignity Pt. 4

This is the last of the four-part series by 10 Million Clicks For Peace contributor, Corry Roach.
Part 1 is here.
Part 2 is here.
Part 3 is here.

Elisabeth Kubler Ross also taught me something else that helped me, as well as assisted the process for family members of those in my care who were dying.  She spoke of how important it is to understand the remarkable power of influence we have, in needlessly extending the agony of the dying process for the patient…… Read more

Moral Distress in Healthcare: the Value of Dying with Dignity Pt. 3

This is the third of a four-part series by 10 Million Clicks For Peace contributor, Corry Roach. We will feature the remaining part tomorrow.
Part 1 is here.
Part 2 is here.

In our approach to the spiritual question around care, we are remiss in our presence of listening to the patients’ concerns or conclusions, particularly if they do not match our own.  It is my firm belief that we not only can, but must learn to stand steady with the patient’s journey of belief, and not get caught up in the differences.  It is not the destination, but the manner in which we as caregivers support the journey that is of credible import here. Read more

Moral Distress in Healthcare: the Value of Dying with Dignity Pt. 2

This is the second of a four-part series by 10 Million Clicks For Peace contributor, Corry Roach. We will feature the remaining two parts over the next two days.
Part 1 is here.

In my work, I have had many of these quiet, calm discussions, and I try to listen with every cell of my body and spirit. I want to be sure that they are sure.

She was sure. Read more

Moral Distress in Healthcare: the Value of Dying with Dignity Pt. 1

This is the first of a four-part series by 10 Million Clicks For Peace contributor, Corry Roach. We will feature the remaining 3 parts over the next three days.

Last month, I watched my only sister lose her battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, after complications from severe post graft versus host syndrome infection after a stem cell transplant. It was five months from diagnosis to her death at 46 years of age. As she was a brittle diabetic since birth, I became more of a mother to her than a sister over her lifetime, as nearly a decade separated us in age. It was almost like losing another child for me.

In 1983, as a bereaved young mother to my infant daughter, I sat in on a lecture by the late Dr Viktor Frankl, which dealt with ethics around thecare of ill and premature babies, and the value of dying with dignity in those situations. Read more