Second Chances
Written by Kathleen Brogan, a client and volunteer of Open Arms
In 2019, Brad’s life was full of pain, and he saw no way out. He had a brief stint in jail and suffered from extreme trauma. Later, he was diagnosed with HIV, early-onset Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and faced numerous mental health challenges.
Receiving help from multiple sources, Brad emerged triumphant and now focuses on helping those in need, so he can help alleviate the despair he once felt. Looking back on his experiences, Brad wishes there would have been someone there to help him at the moments when he was most in need.
Open Arms of Minnesota works with Brad’s care teams to ensure his diet is healthy and promotes healing. They all perform like Olympic gold medalists as contributors to team Brad. Brad has received meals from Open Arms for three years, and his volunteer meal delivery driver, Pat, provides weekly joy that boosts his gratitude beyond measure.
He wants to be the person who listens to and encourages others, no matter how rough the journey is. His passion for giving back is rock solid; a partial list of organizations Brad volunteers for includes MN Teen Challenge, Aliveness Project, and Northside Workforce Center.
Brad’s care needs are many. His partner, Chris, is also his Personal Care Assistant (PCA). Chris keeps Brad on track, ensures he gets to appointments, and deals with the mountains of paperwork with grit and grace. Chris’s humor and tenacity swaddle him in goodness and makes his life full and satisfying.
Reconnecting with his son, Bryce, and daughter, Linley, has meant everything to Brad. Bryce works in special education, and Linley works in nutritional food. Their relationships are now based on transparency, presence, and unwavering love.
Brad believes everything happens for a reason and will not let his missteps define him – choosing to live in hope rather than fear. Allowing “good moments to happen,” makes his recovery possible. Most of all, Brad refuses to give up on others as they work to achieve lives sustained by purpose, patience, and positivity.
Open Arms has been critical in Brad’s health resurgence, starting with creating a safe space that respects his diagnoses without judgment or prejudice. The organization immediately worked closely with his care teams and repeatedly checked in with Brad to obtain feedback. He basked in all that TLC, which jumpstarted his new life of optimism and selfless service. Brad describes Open Arms’s meals in one word: LIFESAVING!
Chris appreciates the ease of meal preparation and the nutritional density of the meals. In the beginning, Brad’s medication regimen was daunting and demanding. Chris was relieved to know that he did not have to worry about whether he had the food needed to help him heal and re-energize.
Facing a new, life-altering diagnosis is scary and isolating. Open Arms crushes those feelings by embracing each client with hope, great food, and constant reminders that they are there to help. They listen to clients’ questions, input, and program recommendations—and act with tailored solutions to boost each client’s success and satisfaction.
Open Arms clients occasionally become die-hard super fans of the organization. This is especially true in Brad’s case. He can’t stop sharing the impact and appreciation for its services.
In 2024, Brad doubled down by committing to serve on Open Arms’s Client Advisory Committee (CAC). The Client Advisory Committee began in 2019 with the mission to help guide the organization in creating programs and services that best meet the needs of the clients it serves. The CAC functions in an advisory role to organization staff. Its goals are to bring the practical needs of clients to the attention of the organization and to develop a formal review and feedback process for programs and organizational changes which may affect Open Arms services.
When applying for the committee, Brad stated, “I’ve had an incredible experience. It’s a vital part of my recovery and battling several chronic illnesses. I’m ready to serve Open Arms clients, and it’s my time to do so.”
Brad can now provide valuable feedback through his lived experiences to Open Arms so that the organization can better serve individuals like him.
“Peer Perspectives: Client-to-Client Stories” is a series of heartfelt and candid features written by Kathleen Brogan, a client and dedicated volunteer of Open Arms. Through her unique lens as a client, Kathleen captures the resilience, challenges, and triumphs of those who rely on our medically tailored meals. Each story in this series not only highlights the impact of what we do together but also celebrates the strength and spirit of our clients.
