In this deeply moving live episode recorded at the Mix and Mingle Education Day, we brought together a powerful group of caregivers—grandparents, parents, stepparents, dads, and friends—for a heartfelt discussion about the emotional journey of caring for a loved one with cystic fibrosis.
What started as a simple idea to gather voices turned into our most beautiful and emotional podcast yet. There were tears, laughter, and unforgettable stories. We were honored to be joined by a Grief Counselor who helped guide us through the complex feelings that surfaced during our conversation.
This episode is a raw, real, and uplifting tribute to the strength, vulnerability, and love that caregivers bring to their roles every single day.
Join us for a conversation that honors the heart of caregiving and the power of community.
You’ll hear from:
00 – 16:49 Laura Bonnell – Podcast Host – (Egypt, Foundation programs, legislation)
16:49 – 19:05 Lois Teicher – CF Grandmother (Laura’s Mom) “I am mad at CF. I worry.”
19:05 – 2126 Natalie Wicks and Lois Teicher (Lois’s partner) “When the girls were first diagnosed, I remember being in a family meeting and we didn’t know anything about CF. I remember being anxious and uncertain of the future.”
21:36 – 28:37 Julie Weatherhead – Grief Doula – “Grief is a combo of emotion. Grief has bitterness, anger, sadness and frustration.”
28:45 – 32:44 Sharon Tischio – son Valentino has CF – “I encourage you all to speak up and make change, as an advocate or with a CF product.”
33:08 – 38:22 Cambria Whitaker – her daughter Addyr has CF “My journey is very unique. I am in a queer relationship. My spouse is transgender, female to male. He carried our daughter Addy.”
38:55 – 42:20 Theresa Dagget, MSU Clinic, Respiratory Therapist, CF coordinator “The advancement in care from when I started…At our center are 52 and 58 year old siblings, and it just puts you in awe…to have hope now”
49:00 – 51:51 Dorothy Strattford – Step son has CF. “I got involved because I like to volunteer, and I was learning about cystic fibrosis to help my step-son.”
52:15 – 1:00:11 Jillian Rogers Smith (33 years old) and Dad, Bill Rogers (Jillian has CF) “I really try to live a normal life. I was looking for photos of me sick in the hospital, but my parents really didn’t take any, so that showed how they were trying to give me a normal life.” Jillian’s brother died from cancer in 2020, just before she got her lung transplant. Bill talks about the emotional struggle.
1:01:40 – 1:07:10 Jamie Rudnycky – daughter Louisa has CF, 6 years old “Wendi (Tague – nurse) gave us great advice. Stay off the internet. What you read is not the truth. Save for college. She was born at the right time, she’ll live a great life. It really is a great community to be a part of, even though we don’t want to be a part of it.”
1:07:28 – 1:14:59 Wendi Tague (Nurse Coordinator) and Claire Haglund (Social Worker) “Some of my first patients, now we’re life long friends. You parents out there, you keep us going and motivated.” And Claire, “It’s a really exciting time to foster connection. Now organizations like CFRI, Rock CF and the Bonnell Foundation, and so many others. Now we have time to prioritize connection between all of us, and planning for the future. Your life isn’t on hold.”
Present but not on the microphone were Joe Bonnell (Laura’s husband), Jeannette Bovensie (Dorothy’s Mom) and Dani Nettleton and daughter.
Claire Haglund: CHaglund@dmc.org
Wendi Tague: wtague@dmc.org
Lois Teicher (Laura’s Mom): Loisteicher@yahoo.com
Natalie Wicks: Piccolo35@gmail.com
Theresa Daggett: daggett3@msu.edu
Cambria Whitaker: cambriawhitta@gmail.com
Dorothy Straford: dstrat701@gmail.com
Sharon Tischio: stischio@comcast.net
Jamie Rudnycky: jamie.rudnycky@gmail.com
Julie Weatherhead: weathervanecounseling@gmail.com
Jillian Smith, Jillian’s Jay Walkers: jill@jilliansjaywalkers.org
And Jillian’s Dad, Bill Rogers
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