On Oct. 15, Van Wilson, a local band made up of three brothers and some others, rocked the stage at St. Petersburg’s The Local 662 to a sold-out crowd.  What matters here is not the rock show, which really did rock, but who these brothers are and what their rock concert did. The brothers three happen to be Emmy and Tony Award nominated Patrick Wilson, Fox 13 news anchor Mark Wilson and advertising mogul Paul Wilson. What the concert did was raise about $4,000 of unrestricted funds for the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. The Brown Forman Corporation donated spirits to the event to be enjoyed by …

Bullying has grabbed national attention recently, especially in light of several recent suicides of youths and young adults that are being attributed to bullying. CNN aired a special series on bullying last week. Many adults have a hard time wrapping their heads around the enormity of the problem. I recall some teasing and a few kids who were briefly targeted by bullies when I was growing up, but these incidents didn’t seem to escalate to the level of terrorizing and physical humiliation that is often described today. That’s not to say that the same level of torment didn’t exist when I was in…

The greatest gift we can give our youths is a simple message: You are the master of yourself — who you are and who you become — and you teach people how to treat you. Spread the word to youths: “i own me.” The “I own me” effort is a social marketing campaign created by the emerging advertising professionals of Ad2 Tampa Bay, who remember what it was like to be a teen in this social-media-driven age. The Spring of Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County's only certified domestic violence prevention and emergency shelter agency, was Ad2 Tampa Bay’s client for this project. Each year, Ad2 Tampa Bay …

“Roberta” is a 21-year-old junior at a local college maintaining a 3.8 grade point average. She also works a full-time night job that pays $9.50 an hour. Combined with her student loans, it’s about enough money to survive. What keeps Roberta afloat is hope – the hope that opportunities, opportunities for a real career and a middle-class wage, will open up once she finally has her degree in hand. Then she can pass by surviving and advance straight to living, if only she can complete that degree. But completing her degree is not in the cards for Roberta. Not for right now, anyway. Roberta needs…

A career in the caregiving field is a personal one. There are as many unique stories, callings and circumstances as there are professionals in the field. Here is my story: Communicating Without Words I began my career as a professional caregiver more than 13 years ago, but to be honest, it wasn’t an intentional choice. I was actually an aspiring opera singer majoring in classical voice performance who needed a night job to match my busy college and audition schedule. The helping fields had residential programs for overnight shifts so I applied. This launched the life-long career that I could …

When I was growing up, our family always had pets. From dogs and cats to skunks and ferrets, we maintained a modest mix of lively furry characters to care for, and they cared for us. While we pay for food and toys, vet visits and maybe a pet sitting service when needed, it is the shared bond of friendship, play, loyalty, nurturing and unconditional love that we give to our four-legged family members that is of immeasurable value, and it is with this currency that they repay us for life. About a year ago, my mother, Joan Street, found herself at age 65 and dog-less. Oh, she had a cat, Echo, a …

Imagine being a child again. For many, this brings back memories of a simpler time, including days at school, your family home, gatherings with friends and relatives, and exploring the world from your own backyard. Now, imagine being a child who is homeless, and think about how that picture changes. In 2010, this was the reality of 49,886 children in Florida. In the Tampa Bay area, the most recent data collected reveal that of the 6,235 individuals who were homeless in Pinellas County, 32 percent were children, and in Hillsborough County, 23 percent of the 17,755 homeless individuals were …

We never really know where our path and purpose may fall in life, and sometimes it may be a touching experience that changes our course completely. Known throughout the Tampa Bay area as a highly accomplished business woman and leader, Linda Burhans has always been passionate about helping others find their true happiness and bring out their inner strengths. Founder and CEO of The Party Crew Inc., founder of Professional Women Empower and CEO of SendACard123.com, Burhans has honed her gift of communication, and it’s how she changes lives daily. Burhans takes the time to share words of thanks…

Everyone has different health and social needs. So when a family makes the difficult decision to hire a private caregiver, the next challenge is finding just the right person to meet your and your family's unique requirements. Conducting a personal interview with each caregiving candidate is always recommended. Collecting a basic resume - name, address, contact information,  educational background and a list of relevant professional experience - is, of course, the first step in any hiring process. For caregivers, a list of experience should include who was cared for, how long they were cared …

Caregivers often find themselves overwhelmed in a sea of uncertainty with the role that they have taken on caring for someone else. The never-ending demands placed on caregivers can lead to stress, anxiety, guilt and even depression. It is not uncommon for caregivers to neglect their own needs due to time and resources, which can leave them feeling exhausted and isolated. It is critical that those in this role learn to find support and methods of dealing with the emotions they are experiencing. The typical caregiver has a regular full-time job, and helping a loved one regularly is like having…

When it comes to elder-planning considerations, many caregivers and family members are not prepared when something tragic occurs. Often, final wishes are unknown, and estates and assets left behind can be the cause for conflict as decisions need to be made on behalf of the person who has died.  There are many aspects dealing with elder law that families and caregivers should discuss early on so that the wishes of their loved ones are known and prepared in advance. Elder law attorneys play a critical role in helping families make sure they are not overlooking important issues that commonly …

Substance abuse addiction and mental illness are diseases that affect the entire family dynamic. Parents, family and other caregivers experience the consequences of these diseases, which can forever damage a family structure if proper treatment is not provided. When families become integrated into the recovery process, a much better outcome is likely. Operation PAR Inc., an IRS-recognized 503(c) nonprofit, focuses on providing support and resources to families dealing with substance abuse addiction and mental illness. Referred to as PAR (for parental awareness and responsibility), the …

At the tender age of 8 years old, Karen Karle-Truman experienced firsthand the challenges that Alzheimer’s can have on the family dynamic. When her grandmother began to show signs of dementia, a loss of mental ability severe enough to disrupt daily life, her mother and other family members moved her closer to them so that they could help take care of her needs. Twice a week, Truman and her mother would make the 50-mile drive to visit her grandmother in a nursing home. Discussions became difficult between her mother and other relatives regarding caregiving decisions. The tension caused several…

Every Monday from 11am - noon, caregivers across the Tampa Bay area and beyond can tune in to what could be considered their lifeline. Kim Linder, founder of Senior Holistic Living, reaches out to the growing demographic of caregivers with her radio show, The Caregiver Hour, on WHNZ, 1250 AM, in Tampa. She reaches thousands of caregivers all across the country through the show, available by radio, Web or mobile app. Dedicated to providing information, support and resources to help caregivers find balance so they can continue to provide optimum care to their loved ones, Linder speaks from the …

Judith Bick took care of her father for many years until he passed away. Now she takes care of her 97-year-old mother. Bick moved her mother into her one-bedroom condo when she broke her hip and has found it difficult to find time to do things for herself. “No matter how much you love the person you are caring for, your life does become limited, as it revolves around the care you are giving that person,” Bick said. But Suncoast Hospice has seen Bick through the past two years. Suncoast Hospice, which serves all of Pinellas County, recognized the need to provide caregivers with a place they …

You can find Arlene Wilbur at the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center every day except Wednesday. The 93-year-old often volunteers at the reception desk answering the phone. Wilbur socializes in the "Chat Room" on Fridays where members discuss different topics and solve riddles to keep their minds sharp. She also attends a diabetes support group on Mondays. Maggie Martin, 66, also volunteers at the reception desk and said she frequently observes people in their 50s and 60s bring their parents to the senior center and find out there is something for them as well. They are thrilled to know that…

Two area women Cherlyn Miller and Karina Granda seem to have a lot in common — they’re unmarried, with no children of their own and they’ve known each other since the sixth grade. But about six years ago, the two could not have predicted the turn their lives would take — a turn that would leave them both caring for young children and turning to each other for support. Cherlyn Miller of Seminole helped care for her brother’s daughter Ashley since birth. When times and circumstances got tough for her brother, she grew more involved in Ashley’s life, until becoming her primary caregiver at the …

Tara Ryan-Legowski's life changed in an instant.  At 77, Ryan-Legowski’s father Jack was a healthy, active man, who lived alone in a Clearwater retirement condominium community. He was social, independent and able to drive.   In February 2010, he had a serious stroke that left him physically and emotionally disabled. The left side of his body was paralyzed and he was unable to sit up, talk, eat solid foods or walk. As people are statistically living longer, we increasingly find ourselves in the role of caregiver for aging parents or loved ones. Many families struggle with recognizing when it’…