Inspiration, Articles, Video and Interviews by Carol
Articles Written by Carol
Symposium: Dementia Beyond Drugs and Disease
(Left to right) Keith Gosselin, MBA, Sylvia Taylor-Stein, Sevet Johnon, PhD, Dr. Power & Tony Chicotel. The Dementia Beyond Drugs & Disease Symposium, focused on transforming dementia care, took place on March 6, 2025, at the Staybridge Suites in Oxnard. “With dementia cases projected to rise from 57 million in 2021 to 153 million by
Helping Families Navigate Brain Injury: Resources, Support, and Skill Development
Services offered by the Brain Injury Center include services to enhance the lives of those who have had brain injuries, along with helping to improve their memory and their daily living socially, educationally, and vocationally. According to Executive Director, Chrissy Stamegna, CBIS, AREF, “It is our hope that people might be able to regain part
Continuing to Hustle with Chutzpah
Dreams do come true with a combination of persistence, chutzpah, luck and networking all rolled together as one. This wonderful journey of networking stated when I joined the Ventura County Professional contact Milt Wright & Associated, Inc., in Chatsworth, CA. They did organizational design, training and development, along the lines of disability awareness, which has
Happy 40th Anniversary to Caregivers: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly
The mission of Ventura County Caregivers over the past 40 years has been: ‘To promote the health, well-being, dignity and independence of frail, homebound elders through one -on-one relationships with trusted volunteers.’ “In the past decade, CAREGIVERS has doubled our geographic footprint to serve the entire County – a testament to the boundless spirit of
Mental Health Services Act & Proposition 1
Mental Health Services Act & Proposition 1 The goal of Proposition 1, which Californians passed in March 2024, is “Aiming to strengthen California’s behavioral health system by funding mental health treatment, substance use disorder services, and supportive housing with additional focus for veterans and individuals facing homelessness. They will be ensuring equitable access to these
First Annual CA Government & Disability Summit
The CA Government & Disability Summit in Ventura took place between September 24-27th, here in Ventura at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. Dani Anderson, Disability Access Manager for the County of Ventura, spearheaded and organized putting this important summit together to focus on issues related to accessibility. It was attended by well over 500
CA Jaycees 4th Quarter First Place, 1994-1995
It’s nice to know that I am still doing my passion, writing as a journalist. In 1994 I was following my passion as a writer and won first place in the CA Jaycees. Dr. Schuller asks:“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” If I knew that I could not
Consumer Position on the Aging and Disability Resource Connection Committee for the California Department of Aging
I’m proud to announce my recent appointment as the Consumer Position on the Aging and Disability Resource Connection Committee for the California Department of Aging. As a Consumer representative with a two-year term (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2026), I will represent consumers, providers, and advocates who commit to establishing a No Wrong Door System and
Mental Health Services Act’s continued priorities for 2023-2026
The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), also known as Proposition 63, is a major source of funding for mental health services across the state, including Ventura County. The spending of these tax revenues is divided between five distinct categories: 1) Community Services and Support; 2) Prevention and Early Intervention; 3) Innovation; 4) Capital facilities and
Ventura County Behavioral Health’s Annual Update and 3-Year Plan for 2023-2024
A Mid-Year Adjustment was completed for the current 3-year plan for the Mental Health Services Act. The plan outlines what Ventura County Behavioral Health plans to spend its Mental Health Services Act dollars on from 2023-2026. The mid-year adjustment was needed after a onetime payment was received from the state in August of 2023. To
Treat me with Respect for my Age
Ageism is too common in our society. Elders deserve our respect and admiration for who they are as individuals. Even if someone has memory issues or dementia, don’t ignore them. They still have feelings and hopes and desires like the rest of us. And, with age, comes wisdom, which needs to be respected, too. And,
Focus on Capabilities Instead of Disabilities
It’s human nature, unfortunately, to focus on what people can’t do instead of what they can do. This also includes making assumptions of what others are or aren’t capable of doing. The harm of making assumptions of others capabilities, because oftheir disabilities is sad. Stereotyping people because of their challenges, along with making assumptions, is
Inspiration
Continuing to Hustle with Chutzpah
Dreams do come true with a combination of persistence, chutzpah, luck and networking all rolled together as one. This wonderful journey of networking stated when I joined the Ventura County Professional contact Milt Wright & Associated, Inc., in Chatsworth, CA. They did organizational design, training and development, along the lines of disability awareness, which has
Disability Pride Month Officially now in July
On July 16, 2024, Carol Leish, MA & Dr. Maria Munguia accepted the proclamation that July is officially Disability Pride Month from the Ventura City Council. They received this for being on the Advisory Council for the Ventura County Human Service Agency/Area Agency on Aging. Even though the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in
Consumer Position on the Aging and Disability Resource Connection Committee for the California Department of Aging
I’m proud to announce my recent appointment as the Consumer Position on the Aging and Disability Resource Connection Committee for the California Department of Aging. As a Consumer representative with a two-year term (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2026), I will represent consumers, providers, and advocates who commit to establishing a No Wrong Door System and
Respect key to interacting with people with disabilities
I focus more on my capabilities than my disabilities. I say, ‘We are all more similar than different,’ since it is a message that resonated with VC Star columnist Martha Shapiro during our recent interview. In her article, with my input, Martha also highlighted how to interact with people with disabilities. I was honored to
World Brain Day
Carol is Highlighted in Brain and Life for World Brain Day Carol recently responded to the Editor in Chief of Brain and Life, Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, when asked to share about living with a disability. They highlighted Carol (among others) in Brain & Life’s recent article about getting involved with World Brain Day
Focus on Capabilities Instead of Disabilities
It’s human nature, unfortunately, to focus on what people can’t do instead of what they can do. This also includes making assumptions of what others are or aren’t capable of doing. The harm of making assumptions of others capabilities, because oftheir disabilities is sad. Stereotyping people because of their challenges, along with making assumptions, is
Reviews and Testimonials
Interviews with Carol
Capable of Success
This is a story about overcoming the odds, about doing exactly what others have said could not be done. It is a story about tragedy and prejudice turning to triumph and enlightenment. Carol Leish has been overcoming the odds ever since she was ten months old, when a car accident left her with slurred speech,
Call Her Capable: Leish Hustles with Chutzpah
What is the best-selling board game in the world? If you guessed Monopoly, you must be sitting pretty with a hotel on Boardwalk. Two-hundred million Monopoly sets have flown off store shelves since 1935. Monopoly is currently available in 26 languages — including Croatian and Icelandic. This holiday season, however, Oxnard native Carol Leish would
Using Humor to Change Attitudes
Oxnard resident trains able-bodied people to sensitive to those with disabilities OXNARD–Carol Leish has made a career out of turning negative stereotypes about people into a positive affirmation of life through humor. Since 1996, the Oxnard native has led classes called Call Me Capable, for teachers, social workers and other professionals who come into contact
Respect key to interacting with people with disabilities
I focus more on my capabilities than my disabilities. I say, ‘We are all more similar than different,’ since it is a message that resonated with VC Star columnist Martha Shapiro during our recent interview. In her article, with my input, Martha also highlighted how to interact with people with disabilities. I was honored to
Our Ventura TV interview with Carol Leish
Carol is interviewed about Ableism and how assumptions about people with disabilities are usually incorrect.
Carol’s interview on Girls on the Air 1590 KVTA
On October 27 Carol appeared on local radio program Girls on the Air. Girls on the Air broadcasts each Saturday 1590AM between 11am – 12pm. Hear Carol’s broadcast
Recent Radio Interview
Resilience and Persistence! http://mercurybroadcasting.net/ask-dr-bunny-resilience-persistence-carol-leish-guest/ Over the past three and a half years, since her Dad’s death, Carol has learned the importance of being positive and resilient in order to cope better with various situations. She realizes the essence of the statement “The glass is half full instead of it being half empty”. Through continuing to