Focus on Life Radio w/ Cheryl Ciamarra

Listen Now! – Focus on Life 09/29/10

Birmingham Doula Christine McDonald Frist shares what a “birth Doula” is and does for mothers during the natal process – providing information on birthing options, reviewing and devising birthing plans and coaching, encouraging and reassuring women during the birthing process providing emotional and psychological support available in hospitals, homebirths or birthing centers.  She explains this is a non-medical role separate and different from the medical birth attendant (Physician, midwife, liscensed nurse etc) advocating and communicating with and for the woman during this important time , the birth of her child.  As a former Olympian athlete she brings her coaching experience into the process.  She also has a massage therapy degree and assist her clients in relaxation to reduce fear and pain perception.  For more information on Doula’s go to her new website www.birthforlife.com or email her at stina88@me.com .

Embracing Alzheimer’s in Mind and Heart w/ Ellen Edmonds

Listen Now! – Embracing Alzheimer’s 09/29/10

SEE THE CHILD INSIDE – #5  “Relationships & Role Reversal”

 Continuing the series topic “See the Child Inside”, this show takes a more intimate look into traditional relationships with the adult dementia patient, recognizing the change to “littleness” taking place in the patient, and discusses role changes required to form a new relationship with the patient in order to meet their needs in the call to love.   Specifically, the relationships discussed include spouse-to-spouse, child-to-parent, and grandchild-to-grandparent.  In addition to matters of intimacy, the discussion focuses on meeting the needs of the patient “in the moment” with consideration to the psychological and physical needs of the patient, maintaining dignity and respect for the patient called for in the traditional relationship, and loving the patient in a “parental” way that responds to their  “child-like” needs.   The message is framed in scriptural teaching to bring the listener hope and courage in their journey of dementia, touching on areas such as forgiveness and healing of the traditional relationship.   Following the mid-program break, Birmingham Bishop Robert Baker spoke on the upcoming 40-Days for Life event at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville AL, and celebration of the Holy Rosary in the month of October.  The second half included excellent email questions with regard to behavior difficulties, “surviving parent” issues, and father-son relationship challenges.  The show opened with a feast day tribute/invocation to the Archangels – Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael – and closed with the Guardian Angel prayer.

Get Ellen’s book – Embracing Dementia – “A Call to Love” at www.embracingdementia.com

“Embracing Alzheimer’s in Mind and Heart” w/ Ellen Edmonds

Listen Now – Embracing Dementia – 09/22/10

 SEE THE CHILD INSIDE – #4    Guest:  Dr. Daniel Potts

 Building on the last program, and continuing the series topic “See the Child Inside”, this show features Dr. Daniel Potts, a neurologist who discusses the use of Creative Arts in working with dementia patients.  Dr. Potts discusses his foundation, Cognitive Dynamics, and his consulting company, Dementia Dynamics, both of which are committed to improving the quality of life and human dignity for dementia patients and their caregivers.  Based upon his personal experience caring for his father Lester Potts who had Alzheimer’s disease, along with Dr. Potts’ own professional knowledge in the field of dementia, our guest shares with the listeners how his father became an accomplished watercolor artist while in full dementia.  The show is a marvelous blend of “mind and heart” in the call to see and love the child inside the patient with dementia disease.

Get Ellen’s book – Embracing Dementia – “A Call to Love” at www.embracingdementia.com

“Focus on Life Radio” w/ Chery Ciamarra

Listen Now! – Focus on Life 09/22/10

Lorainne Holt, Lactation Consultant from St. Vincents Hospital Maternity Health explains the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby.  God designed mothers to respond to thier babies needs even as nutritional components of breastmilk vary from premature babies, full term births and older nursing children.  The emotiional bonding, psychological wellbeing from nurturing naturally can be experienced with bottle feeding if provided in breastfeeding position to aid normal development. Go to www.stvhs.org for more information.

“Focus on Life Radio” w/ Chery Ciamarra

Listen Now! – Focus on Life Radio 09/15/10

 Ed Carrick, local 40 Days for Life Birmingham Director encourages listeners to signup for prayer and fasting to end abortion at www.40daysforlifebirmingham.com  He invites all people of good will to St. Peters Catholic Church next Tuesday September 21st at 7PM for the Kick off Rally to learn more about this exciting life saving, heart changing ministry opportunity.  During the broadcast, three additional people signed up to participate in the 40 day prayer vigil. If you don’t have internet access you can call Ed to sign up at 205-305-0950.

“Embracing Alzheimer’s in Mind and Heart” w/ Ellen Edmonds

Listen Now! – Embracing Alzheimer’s 09/15/10

Building on the last program, and continuing the series topic “See the Child Inside”, this show reminds us of the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 25, as well as the writing of St. Augustine (Sermo 18, Catechism of the Catholic Church par. 1039) calling us to love “the least among us” – the poor, the sick, the hungry, the imprisoned, etc., and its application to  “little ones” with Alzheimer’s and dementia disease.   The last show discussed “littleness” in terms of the seen and unseen, physically and spiritually, beginning with human conception and life in the womb.   Today’s program, reflecting on the perfect example of Mary, as the Sorrowful Mother of Jesus, “fine tunes the heart” in order to see and love the little one “hidden” in the person with dementia and mirror Mary’s sorrowful way of compassionate, sacrificial, painful love as she companioned her Son Jesus in His “littleness” on the Cross.   As we willingly embrace this call to suffering, in the cross of our loved one’s journey, we can unite our love – and its price of pain – with Christ and Mary in the redemption of mankind:  for Christ Himself tells us that in loving these “poor little ones” – the “least among us” – we are in fact loving Jesus Himself and storing treasures in heaven; and our reward is Eternal Life.  The show further discusses practical examples of “how” to love someone going backwards through the stages of life – adolescent, teen, elementary, toddler, and infant – while also respectfully responding the occasional lucid moments.  A guest caller shares personal experiences caring for her late mother and her young grandchildren, and offers insights into recognizing “signs” in an elderly parent, which is an issue many families struggle with.   Guest emails reveal additional insights and practical resources for families and professionals alike. 

Get Ellen’s book – Embracing Dementia – “A Call to Love” at www.embracingdementia.com

 The next program features guest Dr. Daniel Potts, MD, a neurologist who discusses using Creative Arts with dementia patients.

When breaking new ground, you will inevitably hit rock…

 the only unknown is…How Much. When we started broadcasting from the Birmingham Diocese Chancery this past July, we knew there would be a few obstacles we needed to work around. But having new radio equipment in a new location with new talent and a new audio technician has considerably increased to odds of hitting rock at every opportunity. Not to mention those technical difficulties that are beyond anyone’s control (which occur quite frequently), we have our work cut out for us to get this show where it needs to be.  We do not want to continue with a live broadcast if these technical problems can’t be resolved, but with more determination and prayer, we feel that they can. So please be forgiving as we cut through this first layer of rock and please pray that we can find fertile ground very soon.

UFL Hour Show #5 Summary:

FOCUS ON LIFE RADIO w/ Cheryl Ciamarra:

Professor Janet Smith, author of “Contraception Why Not” explains “If you want your life to prosper follow the natural law” that sex is meant for babies and bonding but our culture has separated the unitiv procreative act with the unatural unhealthy pill. She describes problems resulting from the use and mentality of contracption especially with young adults not developing the virtue of chastity and self control. This results in devastating effects in marriage by increasing divorce and it is harmful to women and children. Her books and tapes can be purchased at www.mycatholicfaith.org

EMBRACING ALZHEIMER’S IN MIND AND HEART w/ Ellen Marie Edmonds

SEE THE CHILD INSIDE – #2

Building on the last program, which introduced the new series topic “See the Child Inside”, this show reflects upon the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 25 with regard to loving “the least among us” – the poor, the sick, the hungry, the imprisoned, etc., and how the teaching relates to the call to love the “little one” with Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases.  To further understand the teaching of Christ and its application to daily life, we discuss St. Augustine’s s commentary about the stewardship role of these “poor little ones”, as taken from his Sermo 18 and found referenced in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1039.   Honoring the birth day of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the show explores the degrees of “human littleness” from the perspectives of being physically seen, physically unseen, and spiritually unseen, relating back to the Immaculate Conception of Mary’s life on December 8^th in the womb of her mother Anne, and then to the Annunciation and Incarnation of Jesus in the womb of His mother Mary on March 25^th.   Recognizing and embracing this truth about the beginning of all human life, one is able to relate to the “unseen little one” hidden in the womb during its first nine months from conception to birth.  Similarly, in considering the parallel to the person with dementia disease, embracing this truth enables loved ones and caregivers to “see” and relate to the “unseen little one” hidden inside the adult human, who is becoming little in dementia disease.  As we grasp this reality of the patient’s littleness, our fear of the disease diminishes and enables us to embrace the disease and respond to our call to love them.  And Christ tells us that in loving these “poor little ones” – the “least among us” – we are in fact loving Jesus Himself and storing treasures in heaven; and our reward is Eternal Life.

Get Ellen’s book – Embracing Dementia – “A Call to Love” at www.embracingdementia.com

The United for Life Hour is broadcasting live every Wednesday, from 11am to 12pm on WQOH, 1480AM in Birmingham, Alabama. For those who are outside the listing area, we will be posting show summaries here as well as a link to the recorded audio. We have received very positive comments about the show and they get better each week! Here is a quick glance at the shows already aired from the “Focus on Life” segment of the program;

August 11, 2010 - Susan Muskett National Right to Life Legislative Counsel for Federal Legislation 

August 18, 2010 – Urebe Beltram – Post Abortion Recovery and Healing personal testimony

August 25, Monsignor Phillip Riley Founder of Helpers of God’s Precious Infants

September 1, 2010 – Janice Nelson, Sidewalk Counselor and Helper of God’s Precious Infants

September 8, 2010 Professor Janet Smith Author of “Contraception Why Not”

Ellen Edmonds and her show, “EMBRACING ALZHEIMER’S IN MIND AND HEART” continues with the series, “See the Child Inside.” She offers pratical help to those caregivers who are faced with caring for someone with Alzheimers and other Dementias.

Stay informed with the latest life affirming and faith building information on the United for Life Hour!