Archive for ‘Health’

May 1, 2014

Concussions, Cash, and Conduct in American Football

football-ballIs U.S. American football a game that has gone too far? Are recent revelations of the risk of permanent brain injury due to concussions sufficient to curtail the game? Has the huge sum of money involved, particularly in college and professional football programs, adversely affected the coaches, players and spectators? If so, have we abandoned ethical conduct for the entertainment value? The conversationalists kick these topics around as we discuss the game of, the business of, and the consequences of football.

Length 29 minutes, 1 second.

December 15, 2013

Amazing Grace: Understanding Epilepsy — a First Person Perspective

Listen to a story of a girl called Grace and her fascinating and brave journey.

One in 26 Americans will be diagnosed with epilepsy sometime during their life.

Epilepsy is defined by a person having recurrent seizures, meaning at least two or more. Seizures can take many different forms.

Our regular conversationalists were privileged to have Grace Hugueley join us to tell about her experiences which began with easily dismissed temporary pain, then over time transitioning to some unusual behaviors, and eventually becoming unmistakable grand mal seizures.

This 17 year old tells a remarkable story she and her family experienced, of bravery, of a top notch diagnosis and treatment center in Memphis, Tennessee, of people that have touched her heart through the course of the condition and those to whom she reaches out.

This is a story worth listening to for a multitude of reasons. Whether it is to know how to recognize if someone is having a more subtle type of seizure, what to do if someone in your presence has a seizure, of support mechanisms for epileptics and their families, of a young woman’s bravery in face of brain surgery and that of her family, or just to hear her share a fascinating journey, we encourage you to listen, then tell others about what you learn.

As always, we hope our conversation inspires you to talk with your friends, family, and colleagues about this and other matters that matter.

Now, take some time and please join us also in listening to this special discussion with and of, as her father sometimes calls her, Amazing Grace.

Length: 50 minutes, 2 seconds

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We also invite you to read Grace’s father’s compelling story on his Goodbye Religion blog.

A cautionary note: someone with a prolonged seizure lasting more than 5 minutes may be in status epilepticus and should be taken to an emergency room immediately, according to the National Institutes of Health.

If you know someone with epilepsy, it is strongly recommended you learn more about the condition. Two good sources are National Institutes of Health and the Epilepsy Foundation.

Useful links:

First Aid for someone suffering a seizure

Epilepsy Partners support group

Grace’s blog

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital