Contemplating Life with Chris Young

Chris Young
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  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

"Contemplating Life" is a podcast by author, assistive technology developer, and disability advocate Chris Young. Each week we will explore a variety of topics including disability, religion, politics, entertainment, and whatever else I can think of. Please support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

  1. Sep 17

    Contemplating Life – Episode 122 – “Where are you going? Not Church”

    In this episode, I continue the story of my year-long research for a permanent placement in a skilled nursing facility. I also talk about recovering from the emotional trauma of a very bad experience over Thanksgiving weekend 2025. It includes the story of how I found it amazing online faith community that has been a great support to me during these difficult times. I recorded this episode in July 2026, right before I moved to a new nursing facility. It’s taken me two months to get around to editing it. I considered doing a basic edit and not adding any fancy features to the YouTube version. On the other hand, I want to prove I can still maintain the kind of quality episodes I used to make even though I’m in a new environment with an ever-worsening disability. So I encourage you to check out the YouTube version. Links of Interest “Ol’ Man River” on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ol%27_Man_River “Ol’ Man River” sung by Paul Robeson on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df4VdyGIqJ8 “I Believe in Father Christmas” by Greg Lake on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfY4b1NszpY Home video of Christmas 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhyqLAN3CPs Home video of building a robot with my great-nephew Leighton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVLUKIoYADQ Tumbller robot kit on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Tumbller-Self-Balancing-Engineering-Compatible/dp/B07QWJH77V/ Radio-controlled car I bought for my great-nephew Beckett: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5HCX4J6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 Heart rock band on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_(band) Billy Joel and Sting at Lucas Oil Stadium: https://www.lucasoilstadium.com/event/billy-joel-and-sting-one-night-one-stage/ Foreigner “Jukebox Hero Tour”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRQ5spXrlug Styx “Jukebox Hero Tour”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OsNfUQyvts “Avatar: Fire and Ash” (2025): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1757678/ “Project Hail Mary” (2026): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12042730/ Dan McClellan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maklelan “Data Over Dogma” podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dataoverdogma Jeremy Steele on “Data Over Dogma”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXvgcXtcgQc Jeremy Steele “Skeptic Pastor”: https://www.youtube.com/@skeptic.pastor My 1st interview on “Unbelief” podcast 1/11/2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwFtQNNCpMI My 2nd interview on “Unbelief” podcast 8/10/2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aATOBOMQcBs “The Tribulation Survival Guide” book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tribulation-Survival-Guide-Alive-Everything-ebook/dp/B0GBZ4FZVM/ Arlington Place: https://trilogyhs.com/senior-living/in/indianapolis/arlington-place-health-campus/ Greenwood Healthcare Center: https://communicarehealth.com/location/greenwood-healthcare-center/ For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

    Contemplating Life – Episode 122 – “Where are you going? Not Church”

  2. Jul 6

    Contemplating Life – Episode 121 – “Poor Communication and a Racist Nurse”

    This is part two of the story of Thanksgiving week 2025, when I tried to give my sister Carol time off to visit family in Texas. Things did not go well. Links of Interest Greenwood Healthcare Center: https://communicarehealth.com/location/greenwood-healthcare-center/ For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

    Contemplating Life – Episode 121 – “Poor Communication and a Racist Nurse”

  3. Jul 3

    Contemplating Life – Episode 120 – “Violence Over MiraLAX Ruins Thanksgiving”

    In this latest installment of my ongoing series about my struggles to find a safe and comfortable place to live, I tell a harrowing tale of Thanksgiving week, 2025. I made arrangements so my sister Carol could go to Texas to visit family. I had a solid plan for who would take care of me while she was gone. Then everything for part. This is part one of a two-part story. Links of Interest Greenwood Healthcare Center: https://communicarehealth.com/location/greenwood-healthcare-center/ My Ultimate Remote Control: https://learn.adafruit.com/building-the-assistive-technology-ultimate-remote “Life” cereal commercial featuring Mikey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLQ0LZSnJFE Traditional Hoyer lift sling: https://www.hillrom.com/en/products/sph-seated-slings/ Two-piece lift seat similar to mine: https://www.medicalexpo.com/prod/horcher-medical-systems/product-68764-450122.html For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

    Contemplating Life – Episode 120 – “Violence Over MiraLAX Ruins Thanksgiving”

  4. Jun 24

    Contemplating Life – Episode 119 – “The Search Begins”

    In this episode, I chronicle a yearlong search for a suitable skilled nursing facility. This is part five of my continuing series recounting my efforts to maintain my benefits and live in a safe, comfortable environment.  Links of Interest Wellbrooke of Avon: https://trilogyhs.com/senior-living/in/indianapolis/wellbrooke-of-avon/ Yes Symphonic live DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Symphonic-Live-Blu-ray-Yes/dp/B0052WBI0W/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0 ELP concert DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Emerson-Lake-Palmer-Anniversary-Reunion/dp/B0052Y0FJ0/ref=sr_1_6 My episode 13 “The Ascending View”: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=74 Arduino microcontrollers: https://www.arduino.cc/ Adafruit Industries hobby electronics: https://www.adafruit.com/ ATMakers: https://atmakers.org/ Engineering Ella video from ATMakers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNFvhjCJYb4 Old National Center: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_National_Centre Comedian Josh Johnson on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshJohnsonComedy Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10676052/ FT Tiny Trainer RC airplane bundle: https://store.flitetest.com/ft-tiny-trainer-complete-starter-bundle/ Clearvista Lake Health Campus: https://trilogyhs.com/senior-living/in/indianapolis/clearvista-lake-health-campus/ Arlington Place: https://trilogyhs.com/senior-living/in/indianapolis/arlington-place-health-campus/ Alpha Home: https://www.alphahomeawc.com/ Episode 22 “The Reunion”: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=149 Hurricane Helene: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Helene B Cubed Press: https://bcubedpress.wordpress.com/ “Alternative Liberties” (2025 anthology): https://www.amazon.com/Alternative-Liberties-Alternatives-Bob-Brown-ebook/dp/B0DT176GYK/ FEMA 50% rule: https://www.sc-pa.com/appraisal-info/damage-reporting/understanding-the-fema-50-rule/ Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association: https://sfwa.org/ For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

    Contemplating Life – Episode 119 – “The Search Begins”

  5. Jun 18

    Contemplating Life – Episode 118 – “It's Just a Building”

    In this special episode, I present an essay about my feelings about leaving the home I’ve lived in since I was three years old. Normally, a podcast like this would include lots of nostalgic photos of my home and neighborhood. Unfortunately, I don’t have time or energy to create the kind of video masterpiece I would normally create for such an episode. This time, it’s just me talking. Here is my nostalgic essay “It’s Just a Building.” Links of Interest Eagledale neighborhood, Indianapolis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagledale,_Indianapolis For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

    Contemplating Life – Episode 118 – “It's Just a Building”

  6. Jun 17

    Contemplating Life – Episode 117 – “Record Breaking Difficult Decisions”

    In this episode, I fast-forward through events after my dad died in February 2019 up until July 2025, after I made the decision to actively pursue placement in a skilled nursing facility. It includes a video of a speech I gave at my 70th birthday. This is part four of my continuing series recounting my efforts to maintain my benefits and live in a safe, comfortable environment.  Links of Interest Episode 66 “I Was Nearly Murdered” https://contemplating-life.com/?p=331 Wellbrooke of Avon: https://trilogyhs.com/senior-living/in/indianapolis/wellbrooke-of-avon/ Father Paul Landwerlen obituary: https://www.archindy.org/criterion/local/2025/06-13/landwerlen.html Episode 12 in which I discuss my fear of death: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=69 Episode 14 in which I discuss how I got past my fears: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=76 Street view of mile marker 20.1 on I-465 where we had a flat tire: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KdU9GtU4UMkSnGaQ8 Hoosier Helpers from IDOT: https://www.in.gov/indot/current-programs/hoosier-helpers/ Wellbrooke of Avon: https://trilogyhs.com/senior-living/in/indianapolis/wellbrooke-of-avon/ Greenwood Healthcare Center: https://communicarehealth.com/location/greenwood-healthcare-center/ Private Room at Wellbrooke: https://share.icloud.com/photos/010P48zzQC-vwzoSBLcuL-Ouw Video from my 60th birthday party: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJT0-3KFcM Video from my 70th birthday party: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2EIBq4vxr8 Episode 78 about my friend Buz: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=424 Episode 45 about my friend Mike Gregory: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=256 World record donation for SMA treatment: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/663805-largest-donation-for-a-patients-medical-treatment Most expensive drugs: https://www.drugs.com/article/top-10-most-expensive-drugs.html Evrysdi (Risdiplam) the SMA drug I take. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risdiplam Zolgensma and Itvisma gene therapies for people with SMA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onasemnogene_abeparvovec For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

    Contemplating Life – Episode 117 – “Record Breaking Difficult Decisions”

  7. May 11

    Contemplating Life – Episode 116 – “Good Source Material”

    In this episode, I cover the events surrounding my dad’s funeral. The episode includes the audio of the eulogy I gave. I highly recommend you watch the YouTube version, as it includes a slideshow of photos of my dad to accompany the eulogy. This is part three of my continuing series recounting my efforts to maintain my benefits and live in a safe, comfortable environment.  Links of Interest Stevens Mortuary Calgary Catholic Cemetery Obituary for my Dad. Includes the slideshow shown at the mortuary Standalone audio with slideshow of my dad’s eulogy:  Prayer of St. Francis Sheet Metal Workers Local 20 Sheet Metal Workers Credit Union Tarpenning-Lafollette Co., where dad worked:  Google Street view of cathedral doors Fleming and Associates Matthew 25:31-46 (NABRE) Matthew 7:20 (NABRE) Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Ultimate Remote Control For more episodes Support us on Patreon Where to listen to this podcast YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes:

    Contemplating Life – Episode 116 – “Good Source Material”

  8. May 1

    Contemplating Life – Episode 115 – “The Life and Death of Kenny Young”

    In this next chapter in my ongoing series recounting my efforts to live in a safe, comfortable environment, it is finally time to talk about my dad’s death. To put it in context, we take a deep dive into his life and go down some side routes, talking about my family in general. These times were also complicated because my sister Carol was battling throat cancer. This is a very long episode, but there is no good place to split it in the middle. The YouTube version has many photos, videos, and illustrations. So, you might want to watch this one rather than just listen. Links of Interest Indiana School for the Deaf  Delirium tremens a.k.a. “The DTs” Arsenal Technical High School Mission Impossible (1966 TV series)  Peter Lupus Sydenham's chorea a.k.a. Saint Vitus' dance:  Old Indianapolis City Hall Defense Finance and Accounting Service:  Emmett J. Bean Finance Center Fort Benjamin Harrison Gallaudet University Sheet Metal Workers Union:  Indiana Bell Telephone HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer My video about the NFL “Crucial Catch” ceremony 10/21/2018:  Central Indiana Council on Aging (CICOA Greenwood Healthcare Center:  For more episodes Support us on Patreon Where to listen to this podcast YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes:

    Contemplating Life – Episode 115 – “The Life and Death of Kenny Young”
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About

"Contemplating Life" is a podcast by author, assistive technology developer, and disability advocate Chris Young. Each week we will explore a variety of topics including disability, religion, politics, entertainment, and whatever else I can think of. Please support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

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