The heart of this episode is deeply personal.

I share my story as a daughter and caregiver to my dad, who has lived with schizophrenia for nearly 43 years.

I was raised in a culture of stigma and secrecy around mental illness. We didn’t talk about it. We survived it quietly.

And yet — he was still my dad.

At 18 years old, I became his primary caregiver. In 2007, when his condition worsened significantly, I had to step into even more responsibility. I navigated difficult decisions.

I talk honestly about broken systems. Limited resources. The lack of safety nets for people like my dad. I share what schizophrenia has looked like up close — the delusions, the crises, the emotional toll. And I speak candidly about the pain of being treated like the enemy during episodes, even when you’re the one holding everything together.

This episode is about breaking the silence.

It’s about naming the stigma.

It’s about helping the Church understand that severe mental illness exists inside faithful families.

I challenge churches and leaders to talk openly about mental health, to partner with organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and to create environments where families can seek help without shame.

I share how counseling has helped me — and I encourage you to pursue counseling sooner rather than later. Caregivers need care.

And ultimately, I anchor this whole journey in Jesus. I do not have the strength for this on my own. My endurance as a caregiver depends on Christ — His strength, His purpose, and the hope that suffering is not wasted.

My dad is not his diagnosis.

He is a great dad.

You are Invited In 🩵

Other Resources:

www.christineboyle.com

Disability and The Church Conference

NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness

In this episode of Disability and Faith, host Christine Boyle talks about the upcoming global Tim Tebow Prom event, 'Night to Shine', for people with disabilities. Christine passionately articulates her mixed feelings about the event, emphasizing the need for intentional, year-round disability ministry rather than one-time celebrations. She calls for strategic follow-ups, relationship-building, and the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of church life. Christine urges listeners to move beyond pity and superficial acts of kindness towards true discipleship and co-laboring with people with disabilities.

The Five Stages of Changing Attitudes

00:00 Introduction and Podcasting Struggles

02:38 Rebranding and Ministry Goals

04:20 Tim Tebow Prom Night to Shine Overview

08:29 Critique of One-Time Events

12:18 The Need for Year-Round Disability Ministry

23:18 Theological Perspective on Disability Ministry

30:14 Call to Action for Volunteers

32:48 Building Friendships Beyond Social Media

33:36 Creative Ways to Connect with Disabled Friends

35:08 The Importance of Showing Up

40:02 Understanding the Five Stages of Disability Attitudes

41:42 From Pity to Co-Laborers: A Shift in Perspective

45:04 The Role of the Church in Disability Ministry

47:22 Practical Steps for Inclusive Church Environments

49:52 The True Meaning of Community and Belonging

57:32 Invitation to Get Involved

59:14 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode, Christine Boyle shares a raw and emotional recount of her recent experience with a case manager from the Ohio Department of Medicaid. The episode details an incident during her son's annual Medicaid Waiver assessment that turned adversarial, highlighting the systemic challenges caregivers face. Christine delves into her 25-year journey as a caregiver, the importance of advocacy, and the brokenness in the system that caregivers must navigate. She reflects on how her faith drives her advocacy efforts and encourages other caregivers to stand firm in their God-given roles, despite the challenges and misunderstandings they may face.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:25 The Incident and Initial Reactions

01:37 Medicaid Waiver Program Challenges

02:45 Case Manager Communication Issues

06:22 The Emotional Toll of Caregiving

08:07 Advocacy and Systemic Issues

27:05 Personal Reflections and Faith

32:03 Embracing Misunderstandings with Grace

33:24 Living for God and Honoring Our Kids

34:00 The Spiritual Significance of Caregiving

36:27 Standing Firm in Advocacy

37:57 Facing Adversity with Faith

38:48 The Struggles of Navigating the System

42:00 A Personal Story of Advocacy

53:15 The Importance of Strong Advocacy