This is my third monthly update to the citizens of District 111, as your state representative.

For the return of Secret Diner, I wanted to visit a staple in the Riverbend with some stellar grub, so I ventured to a longtime pizzeria in north-central Madison County.

We know what goes on in our minds when we feel stressed. For some, stressful situations are met with thoughts about the worst possible outcome. For others, stress boosts motivation, helping them focusing on important deadlines or getting housework done. It is normal to experience stress in r…

Social work is a critically needed profession that helps people break down barriers and achieve optimal living.

Sleep is a vital part of every person’s daily routine, as it provides a necessary recharge to your body and mind. Good sleep refreshes you, makes you feel more alert and gives you the energy you need throughout the day. Getting too little sleep will cause you to be less focused and more forgetful.

We all want to be as happy and peaceful as we can be in life — but life throws us curveballs. Sometimes right when we feel like we’re happy and in a good place, life presents another challenge. This is why positivity is so important. Maintaining a positive mindset can help you stay happy and…

Social Security’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides cash payments to children with disabilities whose families have limited income and resources. A child must meet the following medical requirements to be considered disabled under Social Security rules: 

A major concern for parents struggling with substance use addiction is how to talk to their children about their addiction. As difficult as this conversation may be, it is a very necessary conversation to have with your children.

Electrification of the transportation sector has been a hot topic over the last several months as GM and other major auto manufacturers have announced their plans to phase out gas and diesel engines and transition their models to all electric-powered vehicles. 

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to spread awareness about autism and advocate for the acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder and be a force for change.

Practicing relaxation can mean more than deep breathing. Relaxation can help with strong feelings such as stress, anxiety and even anger. There are many different ways to practice relaxation. Some of these should be practiced daily for the best results. Implementing these daily allows for yo…

Today, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.  Since the onset of Alzheimer’s can occur in people before they retire, it may strike during an individual’s working years, preventing gainful employment as the disease progresses.  

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This observance is set aside to honor those with disabilities and to advocate for their equity in access and opportunity.

Detox or withdrawal management may be the first step for some people to get help stopping substance use. It may also be the scariest step. Part of the fear may come from the fear of the unknown. Let us work to help you understand a little more about detox programs.

March 1 is Self-Injury Awareness Day. Putting oneself in a situation where they will be hurt, physically or emotionally, is against our basic instincts. Most of us do everything we can to avoid pain and unpleasant circumstances. However, for people who struggle with self-injury, this is not …

Black Greek-letter sororities and fraternities have been a pivotal part of African American history and culture since the early 20th century. 

Had you told me eight years ago that I would be the founding executive director of a nonprofit, host of a successful podcast (Recovery Uncensored), a columnist for two separate media publications, a part-time revenue director for a local radio station, or working for BJC, I would have told y…

Millions of people get monthly Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments. Some need help managing their money. When we receive information that indicates you need help, we’ll assign a representative payee to manage your benefits for you.We try to select someone who kn…

No matter how perfect your partner may seem, there is no such thing as a perfect relationship with absolutely no problems. Big or small, differences of belief will occur within any relationship, and these may lead to conflict.

A substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic condition that affects every part of you, both physically and mentally. The negative effects can be clearly seen in someone who has struggled with an SUD for a long period of time. However, these effects are not limited only to the user.

It is hard to sum up 2020 with any word better than grief. Most of us have experienced some type of life-changing loss. Some have grieved losing a loved one to COVID-19 or other illnesses, and we have all grieved the loss of our normal routine.

This is my first monthly update to the citizens of District 111, as your new state representative. I plan to do a monthly update to keep you informed on what I have been working on.