The Light of Life

In 1970, Ken Kunken became quadriplegic after suffering a serious spinal cord injury. This left him completely paralyzed. Ken became a district attorney and was the first quadriplegic to graduate from Cornell University in New York. Due to his new challenges, Ken realized he was unable to get around in public places. It was 1971, before any accommodations for people with disabilities were made pub...

At two different moments in her life, Nancy survived cancer and alcoholism. Nancy shares how she got sober after attempting to take her life. Nancy also shares how she began helping others through equus coaching. (Horses.) Nancy's website for women struggling with anything related to mental health (depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, alcohol/drug abuse, etc.): sherecovers.org

Max lost his vision in college. Max describes his most difficult challenges unable to see. He also encourages everyone to find their community of people who have similar disabilities as you do.

Katherine shares her story surviving stage 3 Breast Cancer. Katherine also shares the truth about forgiveness. "Forgiveness is NOT you acknowledging that what the person did is okay. What forgiveness truly is is letting go of the past for YOU to be at peace." Wise words, and a very important life lesson.

Sarah was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 15 years old. Sarah describes her years living with diabetes was a constant battle because she couldn't stand poking herself with a needle to pump insulin into her system. Unfortunately, this is very dangerous for people with diabetes and she was told her heart attack 20 years later was due to extremely high BLOOD SUGAR. Wait... HIGH BLOOD SUGAR can caus...

"The first thing people need to know is, whatever you're struggling with whether it is depression or another mental health issue, is that: It is NOT your fault." Wise words from this week's guest, Kenji. Kenji bravely shares his story battling depression and even shares at one point he was ready to give up. Kenji and Naomi have attended the same culinary school in college and Kenji shares school s...

"The first thing people need to know is, whatever you're struggling with whether it is depression or another mental health issue, is that: It is NOT your fault." Wise words from this week's guest, Kenji. Kenji bravely shares his story battling depression and even shares at one point he was ready to give up. Kenji and Naomi have attended the same culinary school in college and Kenji shares school s...

What happens when a medical doctor suddenly becomes a patient? Michael is a medical doctor working in the emergency room. He shares heartbreaking yet inspiring stories about triumphing after intense hospital stays and long doctor hours.

"Never give up." Fierce says to everyone listening. "No matter how hard it may be, never give up." Fierce survived a terrifying brain aneurysm. She needed to relearn how to walk. How it happened is haunting. Fierce was watching TV at home with her boyfriend. It was just like any other day. Suddenly, Fierce sees on the wall numbers that spell out "911". Nothing was happening, but she told her boyfr...

Joel and Naomi have a significant thing in common: Both have had open heart surgery! Joel shares his experience with having been diagnosed with CHD until adulthood. He began receiving symptoms at the age of 16 but was not officially diagnosed until a mind-blowing 26!

Shadi is a hospital doctor that has worked in the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Room, and General Hospital. Shadi shares how overwhelming it is for doctors and how even doctors can develop PTSD from patients having medical complications. Naomi never realized how true that is. Shadi asks Naomi about her experience and Naomi drops MAJOR BOMBSHELLS about how she didn't develop PTSD until 2 years lat...

Jeff discusses how meditation benefits your every day life. He says even if you just take 20 minutes a day to meditate, you will be much less stressed. He also mentions the 5 Regulations to meditate successfully. Jeff also mentions you can order his book, The Yielding Warrior, for FREE! Jeff's website: theyieldingwarrior.com/book

Naomi went under anesthesia last week. This was the first medical procedure she's had in almost 7 years. Naomi opens up about her feelings of the hospital and surgery. She surprisingly acknowledges how desensitized she is and wonders if there is anyone else out there who feels the same way.

James and Naomi are friends from the CHD community. James was born with the heart condition Tetralogy of Fallot, which consists of a defect in each chamber of the heart. 4 different defects. James discusses his experience in the hospital after his open heart surgeries and how he became involved in the CHD community. James also encourages everyone to take care of your mental health and bravely open...

Disclaimer: If you have medical conditions, please stick to Western, modern day medicine. If we are born with a defect, there is nothing we can do in Eastern to "heal" us. We need to keep our prescription medications, we need hospitals and technology. Francisco shares what chiropractors do to help patients relieve back pain and joint pain,

Michael was born with Pectus Excavatum. Pectus Excavatum is an encaved chest where the two chest cavity bones were indented. Michael shares how difficult it was to breathe and the pain he was in prior to his surgery. The surgery to fix his chest involved pushing out the chest cavity bones to properly align with the ribcage. Michael shares he can no longer feel the middle of his chest because of th...

It's no secret that doctors who work in hospitals are insanely overworked. So many lead to burn out and dangerously high levels of stress. Ethan is an attorney/agent for doctors in the medical field, helping them maintain a schedule so that they can take care of their patients, but in addition, take care of THEMSELVES. Ethan also shares the cold hard truth: Doctors are SUFFERING, financially and m...

Breast cancer, emergency heart transplant, bitter divorce, and your child dying. Just one of these alone would be traumatizing to go through on its own, but Laura went through all four of these tragedies within... ONE YEAR. Yes, one YEAR. Maybe it is time to take a step back and reflect on how good we really have it. Laura's resilience is unfathomable. Her strength is admirable. Naomi personally b...

Roman shares his story.

Roman shares his story.

"I had a horrible cardiologist. He just would not listen to me or take anything I said seriously and would dismiss my symptoms." Krista shares this among her many unfortunate experiences with doctors in the medical industry. Naomi relates, adding, "Please get a second opinion from a different doctor from a different hospital." There IS such thing as bad doctors. Either they don't understand your c...

Tiffany Rich was born with cystic fibrosis, a congenital lung defect that impacts the fluids produced in your lungs, like mucus, and digestive juices as well. Tiffany discusses how she was on the transplant list for 3 years before receiving a pair of lungs. Tiffany also brings awareness to the fact of how important organ donation is and encourages everyone to register to donate organs after passin...

Andrew suffered a major injury from a mild accident. As he was chopping wood with his uncle, a disc in his neck slipped and left him with damage in his neck. Andrew discusses physical therapy, occupational therapy, and how the support from friends and family helped him recover. Andrew also gives inspiring advice to people who have disabilities.

Ashley and Naomi are longtime friends. They went to the same high school together. Today on The Light of Life, Ashley bravely shares what she has been going through within the last few years. She is currently is acute chronic heart failure and a transplant may be in her future. Ashley gives inspiring advice to not give up when things are looking bleak. Ashley and Naomi both confirm heart failure c...

David had a very turbulent childhood. He says himself his parents should have never been married and were constantly screaming at each other. Growing up in a stressful environment can cause children behavior issues and mental health issues. David shares he resorted to self-sabotage and carried the trauma with him until he sought help in his late 20s. David gives helpful advice to anyone who has tr...