Richard M. Cohen is an Emmy award winning television producer and best-selling author. His book, “Strong at the Broken Places,” tells the intimate stories of five people living with serious chronic illnesses. Richard and his wife, Meredith Vieira sat down with Editor-in-Chief Gary Barg to talk of their lives as parents, professional communicators, and partners in care.
 
Gary Barg: Why do you think language is so very important to people living with chronic illness, and to their families?  

Richard Cohen: Well, I think language is a powerful weapon.  People who have chronic illnesses have a constant battle with how people see them.  And I always say, when I’m talking to groups, that you’re really fighting on two fronts.  You’re not just fighting an illness, you’re fighting public attitudes and public perceptions of the person with the illness, and many times that can be worse than the illness.  

Meredith Vieira: I wanted to pick up on what you were saying, Richard, because perception also applies to the people who are with someone who is chronically ill...read more

Take Care

Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com

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