How Steven Created Meaning When his World Turned Upside Down
The following post is a short story from my visit with Steven Sudell in October, and the lesson he taught me. Steven passed away on Wednesday, 11/28/18. Extending his arm towards me with drawing book in hand, Steven asked, “Do you wanna see my drawings?” Me: “Yes I’d love to! What are we working with here?” Steven: “I started drawing my friends and family as different animals.” Each page was...
A Mustache Making an Impact
These families have shown me that rather than letting a disease dictate their life, they are proactively changing the narrative by becoming patient advocates and raising money for a better tomorrow.
Why I Ride
Robert, Bob, Bobby, RobBob or any of the other nicknames my Dad went by, became very active in his recent years. He spent a lot of time cycling with friends & family, preparing for the Chicago marathon, working out at Lifetime Fitness, playing golf or just walking the dog. He’s a goal setter and list maker. Every day on the top of his to do list was to “make memories”....
192 Miles of Compromised Lungs and Mismatching Socks
Fifty-three miles into a 70-mile training ride, my lungs begin screaming as I attempt to extend my shallow breaths. I’m a third of the way up a hill that’s kicking my butt, and in familiar fashion, I begin cursing the chemotherapy that ransacked my lungs and left me with 80% of baseline function. An older cyclist passes me on my left, and as I drop my head in disappointment, I catch...
Setbacks on Our Mission to Deliver the Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet, and Profit
Growing up during the early days of Whole Foods’ expansion to the east coast, I remember my mother’s excitement when one opened up near her office. In those early days when organic food was less common, Whole Foods was a brand she could trust wholeheartedly. “It’s not just about the quality of their food, they’re known for treating their employees better than any other grocery chain,” she’d say.
When "How can I help?" does more harm than good
“Hey, I just heard the news and I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?” This was one of dozens of similar messages that flooded my phone around the time of my diagnosis. However well intentioned, this question is often counterproductive. For starters, it has the unintended consequence of shifting the burden of responsibility onto the patient. With so many people asking, “How can I help?” I...
