There had been warning signs. Bret saw it coming: “Do you see what surrounds your recliner? Look at all the cans of Coke, look at all the cigarette butts. You’re worrying me.” Her doctor also had admonished her: “You women gotta learn to slow down. You can’t continue like this.” 0f course, she hadn’t listened.
2018: THE YEAR OF THE ACADIANA WOMAN “Women need to know they can do anything they want, but,” Bernadette cautions, “they also need to know they have limits. There’s nothing wrong with having boundaries, in showing weakness, or admitting we can suffer from mental and emotional distress. We have nothing to be ashamed of, and need to reject the stigma. We can be so competent, so giving and supportive of others, but we never give to ourselves. We need to find balance, and offer each other support. I want 2018 to be a turning point for female empowerment. I hope it can be The Year of the Acadiana Woman.” Bernadette puts her money where her talk is through active community engagement.
Bernadette at the "News Junkie" desk.
Louisiana ranks second in the nation for
BERNIE 2016 Eight years on, Bernadette is far wiser than her younger, “smarter” self. Life is sweeter, too. Despite struggles with chronic pain and fatigue, she finally quit smoking nearly two years ago, and started a basic exercise routine. “I used to see myself as smart, now I seek out wisdom, and from all places.” While she still views herself as a strong woman, her idea of strength has changed. “I’m now strong enough to say: I’m
women’s mortality due to breast cancer, because many women across the state cannot afford annual screenings for early detection. In hopes of lowering this grim statistic, every October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, mammography centers across Louisiana run specials on mammogram services, providing them at reduced cost. NewsTalk 96.5 KPEL has joined with the American Cancer Society in urging its female listeners to get regular mammograms.
not doing that anymore. I respect my physical and emotional limits. I want to live ‘til I’m 90. But first, I have to take care of me.” Bernadette urges every woman reading this story, who
KTDY’S “MAMMOSINE”
recognizes herself, to change course and put
The “Mammosine” promotion was brilliantly
herself first in her life.
conceived by KTDY as a fun way to raise
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