Toula shares her own caregiver story with her friend and fellow caregiver-expert Chris MacLellan, the Bow Tie Guy. Christopher MacLellan is affectionately known as “The Bow Tie Guy” in many caregiving circles. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Chris has five siblings, 24 nieces and nephews and over 40 great nieces and nephews. Faced with his partner’s diagnosis of esophageal cancer in 2011, Chris started a caregiving blog entitled, “The Purple Jacket” and is an ardent advocate for caregivers and their carees through his blog “The Purple Jacket” and radio show, “Healing Ties™”. Chris’ Masters Degree thesis entitled, “Spiral of Silence: Caregiving, Stress and its Impact in the Workplace” was accepted by the faculty at Gonzaga University where Chris earned a Master’s degree in Leadership and Communication in 2016. Chris has a diverse background in Social Work, Ministry, Senior Care, Arts Management and Professional Sports. I earned a B.A. Degree in Child Family and Community Service from Sangamon State University in Springfield, Illinois and have studied Theology at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. Chris’ passion centers around advocacy, sharing stories and connecting people to needed resources. When we are entrusted to the care of others, there is no better honor that can be bestowed on us. Leaders do not seek responsibility, leaders are drawn to responsibility when they realize how their talents, skills and abilities can make a difference. Chris is proponent of a holistic approach to good health and spirituality. Down to earth and pragmatic, Chris works within a consensus style framework, while building bridges instead of roadblocks.
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