>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON" WE WILL HEAR FROM THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR ARIZONA POLICY SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THAT AND MORE, NEXT, ON "ARIZONA HORIZON".

>>> "ARIZONA HORIZON" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM THE FAMILY FOUNDATION.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON".

I AM TED SIMONS.

NO WORD ON A MOTIVE FOR LAST NIGHTS SHOOTING SPREE IN PHOENIX THAT LEFT TWO PEOPLE DEAD AND FIVE OTHERS INJURED INCLUDING TWO POLICE OFFICERS.

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED NEAR 27TH AVENUE AND DEER VALLEY ROAD .

POLICE SAY THE SUSPECT WAS ARMED WITH A SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLE AND WEARING TACTICAL GEAR AND A SHOT TWO PEOPLE IN A MOTEL PARKING LOT ALONG WITH THROWING A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL AT A RESTAURANT WINDOW.

POLICE SAY THAT THE SUSPECT SHOT AT RESPONDING OFFICERS.

TWO OF THOSE OFFICERS WERE HIT AND REPORTEDLY SUFFERED NON- LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.

POLICE SAY THE SHOOTING SPREE ENDED WHEN THE SUSPECT APPARENTLY TOOK HIS OWN LIFE.

>>> A MARYLAND MAN AFFILIATED WITH THE FAR RIGHT PROUD BOYS EXTREMIST GROUP WAS SENTENCED TODAY TO FOUR AND A HALF YEARS IN PRISON FOR HIS ROLE IN THE ATTACK ON THE U.S. CAPITOL.

40-YEAR-OLD JOSHUA PRUITT WAS ONE OF THE FEW ATTACKERS TO COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH A MEMBER OF CONGRESS ON JANUARY 6TH WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED CENTERED DEMOCRATIC LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER WHO WAS LED TO SAFETY BY HIS ARMED SECURITY DETAIL.

MORE THAN 400 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF FEDERAL CRIMES FOR THEIR ACTIONS DURING THE ATTACK ON THE CAPITAL WITH SENTENCES RANGING FROM SEVEN DAYS TO SEVEN YEARS.

>>> NASA TODAY CALLED OFF THE LAUNCH OF ITS NEW ARTEMIS MOON ROCKET.

AN ENGINE ISSUE WOULD WAS REPORTEDLY DISCOVERED WHEN THE ROCKET WAS BEING FILLED WITH PROPELLANTS AND THERE WERE OTHER CONCERNS.

>> THERE WAS ALSO A SERIES OF WEATHER ISSUES AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A NO GO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WINDOW DUE TO PRECIPITATION AND LATER ON IN THE WINDOW IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A NO GO FOR LIGHTNING IN THE LAUNCH PAD AREA .

THE TEAMWORK THROUGH A NUMBER OF ISSUES TODAY.

THE TEAM WAS TIRED AT THE END OF TODAY.

WE JUST DECIDED THAT IT WAS THE BEST TO KNOCK IT OFF AND TO RECONVENE TOMORROW.

>> NASA SAYS A FRIDAY LAUNCH IS STILL POSSIBLE.

TODAY'S STOP DOWN WAS JUST THE LATEST DELAY FOR THE MISSION WHICH HAS SEEN PREVIOUS SETBACKS .

THE MISSION INVOLVES SENDING THE MASSIVE ROCKET AND IT'S ORION SPACECRAFT ON AN UNMANNED TEST FLIGHT TOWARDS THE MOON.

>>> ARIZONA'S REDRAWN SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STRETCHES FROM THE SOUTH SOUTH EASTERN BORDER TO AS FAR NORTH AS ALPINE AND AS FAR WEST AS EASTERN SECTIONS OF TUCSON.

INCUMBENT ANN KIRKPATRICK IS RETIRING WHICH MAKES THE SIXTH DISTRICT ARIZONA'S ONLY OPEN SEAT CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION.

WE INVITED THE TWO CANDIDATES TO JOIN US HERE BUT THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR INVITATION.

THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE DID.

SHE IS KIRSTEN ENGEL AND JOINED US NOW TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

LET'S GET STARTED.

THE MOST PRESSING NEED FOR THOSE LIVING IN THIS DISTRICT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

>> TED, WE'VE GOT A REAL ISSUE HERE IN ARIZONA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THAT IS ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

WE KNOW AS A RESULT OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE SUPREME COURT REPEALING ROE VS. WADE THAT NOW WOMEN DO NOT HAVE THAT FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT THAT THEY HAVE ENJOYED FOR 50 YEARS OVER THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE DECISION.

I AM A MOM.

I AM THE MOTHER AND A WOMAN MYSELF.

MY DAUGHTER IS 17 YEARS OLD.

THIS ISSUE IS REALLY HITTING ARIZONA HARD.

THE STATE OF THE LAW IS VERY, VERY UNCLEAR.

BASICALLY ABORTION PROVIDERS HAVE SHUT DOWN.

I HEARD MAYBE PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS NOW OPENING UP, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY HERE THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT.

POTENTIAL CRIMINAL LIABILITY.

IT'S KIND OF INCREDIBLE THAT WE ARE FACING HERE IN 2022 AS A WOMAN LOSING POWER OVER HEALTHCARE DECISIONS.

THAT IS WHAT I AM HEARING FROM PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT AS ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE ISSUES.

OTHER ISSUES, WATER.

WE KNOW THAT THE COLORADO RIVER IS PLUMMETING.

THE WHOLE BASIN IS DRYING UP.

IT'S DRIVEN A LOT BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE ARE IN A MEGA DROUGHT TO.

WE NEED TO WORK ON OUR ISSUES OF SECURING OUR WATER FUTURE.

AND FINALLY, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.

>> THOSE ARE THE THREE ISSUES I WANT TO GO TO CLOSER.

LET'S START WITH ROE V. WADE AND ABORTION ACCESS.

WHEN THEY TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS AND SAY THIS IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE, WHAT DO THEY WANT TO DO IN WASHINGTON?

>> THEY WANT ME TO PROTECT THEIR ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE HERE IN ARIZONA.

THEY WANT ME TO GUARANTEE THAT RIGHT.

THEY WANT ME TO CODIFY ROE VS. WADE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> WOULD YOU DO SO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT WOULD BE THE FIRST BILL I WOULD INTRODUCE.

>> FOR THE ONES THAT SAY LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION AND ABORTION IS MURDER, HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

>> WE HAVE HAD A COMPROMISE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS WHERE WE PROVIDED FOR ABORTION RELIABILITY.

IT CHANGES AFTER.

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS LET'S LEAVE THESE DECISIONS TO THE PERSON INVOLVED.

LET THEM MAKE THESE DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES WITH THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, WITH THEIR DOCTOR IS, WITH RELIGIOUS ADVISOR.

AND LET'S GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS, WHICH IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT IS EMBRACED BY A MAJORITY OF ARIZONANS AND ACTUALLY A MAJORITY IN THIS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> I THINK THAT THOSE ON THE OTHER SIDE WOULD SAY THAT IS WHY IT IS BEST TO HAVE A STATE DECIDE, WHICH IS WHAT THE SUPREME COURT DID IN THROWING OUT ROE V. WADE AS OPPOSED TO MAKING IT A FEDERAL LAW.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> THE STATE HAS NOT DECIDED.

IT'S A TOTAL MESS.

WE HAVE A TERRITORIAL LAW THAT POTENTIALLY CRIMINALIZES DIRECTORS AND HOSPITALS FOR PROVIDING THIS BASIC HEALTHCARE.

IT IS VERY UNCERTAIN LANDSCAPE.

IT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CAUGHT IN THIS.

FOR A WOMAN TODAY IN ARIZONA, SHE MAY HAVE TO TRAVEL 300 MILES IN ORDER TO GET THIS BASIC HEALTHCARE.

DIRECTORS DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

LEAVING IT TO THE STATE HAS BEEN CHAOS, FRANKLY, HERE IN ARIZONA AND MY REPUBLICAN OPPONENT IS ANTIABORTION AND JUST ALLOWING THIS CHAOS TO EXIST.

>> YOU SAY THAT MOST ARIZONANS WANT THIS TYPE OF SERVICE PROVIDED AND WANT THIS ACCESS, GET THE STATE IS NOT ALLOWING IT .

THAT'S A DISCONNECT AT THE STATE LEVEL BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE.

>> WE CAN GUARANTEE THIS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> YOU WOULD GO TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> LET'S GET TO WATER.

THE TIER 28 CUTS ARE HERE.

THEY ARE COMING AND TIER THREE AND THE WHOLE 9 YARDS.

IN WASHINGTON, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE SURE THAT ARIZONA HAS ENOUGH WATER NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE?

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A VERY PARTICULAR ROLE HERE.

THEY DO HAVE THE AUTHORITY, THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION AS THE WATERMASTER FOR THE LOWER BASIN STATES.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED MOST RECENTLY HERE IN ARIZONA IS WE HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR STEPPING OF AND SAYING THAT THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE THAT ROLE SERIOUSLY AND THEY WERE GOING TO REQUIRE THAT ALL OF THE STATES COME TOGETHER WITH A PLAN TO REDUCE THEIR USE OF THE COLORADO RIVER WATERS SO AS TO PROTECT THE RESOURCE.

AND YET THEY DIDN'T FOLLOW THROUGH.

SO THE STATES DID NOT COME UP WITH A PLAN AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT HAS THAT AUTHORITY DIDN'T COME UP WITH THAT PLAN EITHER.

THAT WAS KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND IT REALLY HURT ARIZONA.

AND THE ABSENCE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTING SPECIFICALLY TO ASK THE OTHER BASIN STATES TO DO THEIR FAIR SHARE, I.E., CALIFORNIA, HAS GOT TO HELP OUT WITH THIS.

THEY ARE THE BIGGEST USER OF CALIFORNIA WATER WITHOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STEPPING IN AND DOING THAT, ARIZONA IS SHELTERING MOST OF THE COST.

>> YOU MENTIONED KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

EVEN IF CALIFORNIA PICKS UP, AND THEY HAVE TO,- >> LATER CALIFORNIA WILL HAVE TO .

>> THAT DOESN'T ADDRESS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE SOUTHWEST HERE IN ARIZONA.

IT SEEMS TO BE OUR GROWTH INDUSTRY.

DO WE NEED TO RECONSIDER GROWTH IN ARIZONA?

>> I THINK BEFORE WE RETHINK ALL OF GROWTH BECAUSE ARIZONA IS A POPULAR PLACE.

PEOPLE ARE COMING HERE TO ARIZONA.

THEY ARE A RESOURCE TO US.

WE SHOULD BE USING ARE WATER THE MOST EFFICIENTLY THAT WE CAN.

WE SHOULD BE USING IT MORE EFFICIENTLY ON OUR FARMS.

WE SHOULD BE RECYCLING OUR WATER .

WE SHOULD BE CREATING MORE STORAGE FOR OUR WATER.

WHEN WE GET THE MONSOONS, WE ARE ABLE TO CAPTURE THAT WATER AND USE IT LATER.

ON OUR FARMS, WE COULD BE USING DRIP IRRIGATION MORE.

WE COULD BE RECLAIMING OUR WATER .

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE COULD BE DOING THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN.

I WAS SERVING IN THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE YEAR AFTER YEAR.

WE PROPOSED BILLS FOR BETTER USE OF OUR WATER.

NEW CONSTRUCTION, LET'S USE THE VERY BEST WATER SAVING APPLIANCES.

ARIZONA LEGISLATURE CONTROLLED BY THE REPUBLICANS WOULD NOT ACT .

>> ARIZONA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, IS IT DOING AS MUCH AS IT CAN TO ENSURE ARIZONA'S ALLOTMENT OF COLORADO RIVER WATER AND CLIMATE ISSUES IN GENERAL?

>> I DON'T THINK SO, NO.

JUST FROM SEEING THE RESPONSE TO THE FAILURE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COME UP WITH A PLAN, MANY OF US ARE SPEAKING OUT.

I AM NOT SAYING NECESSARILY OUR CONGRESSIONAL SENATOR KELLY HAS SPOKEN OUT.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THE REPUBLICANS ON OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

>> WE MENTIONED THE DISTRICT GOES TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF ARIZONA DOWN BY THE BORDER.

I'VE ASKED THIS QUESTION TO NUMEROUS CANDIDATES AND THEN ASKING AGAIN.

DOES ARIZONA HAVE AN IMMIGRATION CRISIS?

>> TED, WASHINGTON HAS FAILED US ON THE BORDER.

LET'S BE REAL.

IT HAS BEEN BOTH REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATIONS AS WELL AS DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATIONS.

WE HAVE GOT SOME REAL SECURITY ISSUES ON OUR BORDER AND WE DO HAVE TO SECURE OUR BORDER.

WE HAVE DRUG SMUGGLING.

WE HAVE HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

THIS IS A PROBLEM.

13TH CENTURY WALLS ARE NOT THE SOLUTION.

NOR IS STACKING UP SHIPPING CONTAINERS.

IT'S A HAZARD.

THEY FELL OVER.

WE NEED TO DO IT WITH MANPOWER, WITH TECHNOLOGY.

WE NEED BETTER SECURITY.

WE ALSO HAVE A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND WE NEED A BETTER WORKING ASYLUM PROCESS.

YES, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO GET IN.

LET US HAVE AN OR DELETE ASYLUM PROCESS AND LET'S HAVE COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM STARTING WITH OUR DREAMERS.

LET'S HAVE PATHWAYS TO CITIZENSHIP FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE.

THEY ARE PAYING TAXES AND LAW ABIDING CITIZENS.

>> TECHNOLOGY AND MANPOWER AT THE BORDER WHAT DO WE NEED?

GIVE ME AN INDICATION.

>> THAT MEANS CAMERAS.

THAT MEANS RADAR.

THAT MEANS WAYS OF IDENTIFYING WHEN WE HAVE THOSE DRUG SMUGGLERS TRYING TO MAKE IT ACROSS.

>> NOT ENOUGH OF THAT GOING ON NOW?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

>> YOU MENTIONED PATHWAYS OF CITIZENSHIP.

IS THEIR AMNESTY?

>> THERE IS NOT.

WE HAVE AN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM HERE.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BASICALLY DESTROYED IT.

RIGHT NOW IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BECOME A LEGAL CITIZEN, EVEN IF YOU ARE AS A DREAM OR SOMEBODY WHO LIVED YOUR ENTIRE LIFE HERE.

YOU HAVE GONE TO SCHOOL HERE AND KNOW NO OTHER COUNTRY.

YOU ARE READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SOCIETY.

IMMIGRATION, THIS IS THE WAY WE BUILD OUR NATION.

THIS IS HOW WE MAKE IT STRONG.

>> LAST QUESTION AND LAST POINT.

INFLATION RIGHT NOW.

IS IT A GENERATIONAL HIGH?

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT HAPPENED AND DO REPUBLICANS HAVE A POINT WHEN THEY SAY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION BY HANDING AND PRINTING OUT MONEY FOR A VARIETY OF THINGS UP TO AND INCLUDING STUDENT DEBT, ROLLING THAT MONEY OUT THERE IS AN ABSOLUTE SIGNAL TOWARD INFLATION.

DO THEY HAVE A POINT?

>> INFLATION IS AN ISSUE I AM VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT FINALLY GAS PRICES ARE COMING DOWN.

IT'S ACTUALLY THE DEMOCRATS THAT ARE WORKING ON OUR INFLATION ISSUES.

WORKING ON THE SUPPLY ISSUES.

LOOK AT SENATOR KELLY'S SCIENCE ACT SO THAT WE MANUFACTURE MORE THINGS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES , SUCH AS MICROCHIPS THAT WE NEED THAT WILL GET US AROUND THE SUPPLY CHAIN, WHICH IS CAUSING THOSE DELAYS, CAUSING THE INFLATION AS WE KNOW.

LET'S WORK ON MORE MANUFACTURING HERE.

LET'S HELP FAMILIES BY BRINGING DOWN THE COST OF THINGS LIKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT DID THAT THE DEMOCRATS VOTED FOR AND THE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T.

>> THE IDEA OF INFLATION WHICH BEGAN BEFORE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES BEGAN AND BEFORE THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

WHY DO YOU THINK THIS KIND OF GENERATIONAL HIT, THE CRISIS, CAME ABOUT?

>> I THINK IT SUPPLY CHAIN.

IT HAS BEEN A HUGE REASON.

COVID AND THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

AND WE ARE FINALLY BEGINNING TO GET AROUND THAT.

ALSO, I THINK THERE HAS BEEN SOME PRICE GOUGING GOING ON.

OIL COMPANIES MAKING RECORD PROFITS DURING THIS TIME PERIOD.

GASOLINE PRICES FOR A LONG TIME WERE JUST ESCALATING.

>> LAST QUESTION BECAUSE WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

STUDENT DEBT RELIEF THAT THE PRESIDENT SIGNED OR IS PLANNING ON.

A LOT OF FOLKS, REPUBLICANS, ARE SAYING IT SIMPLY ISN'T FAIR.

IF YOU TOOK OUT A LONE, YOU NEED TO REPAY THAT LOAN.

WOULD YOU HAVE SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENT PLAN AND WOULD YOU SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN IF IT CAME UP FOR A VOTE?

>> THE REAL PROBLEM HERE IS IT'S NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS ACT AS A RISING COST SITUATION.

TUITION HAS BEEN GOING UP AND UP .

WHILE I HAVE BEEN TEACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, TUITION HAS OVER DOUBLED.

ONE OF MY BIG DISAPPOINTMENTS WITH HIS PLAN IS THAT IT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF RISING TUITION.

>> THE $10,000 RELIEF OF DEBT YOU SUPPORT?

10000.20000 FOR PELL GRANT?

>> IT IS TARGETED RELIEF FOR SOME OF OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE LABORING UNDER THE BURDEN OF DEBT.

AND THAT INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE EVEN GOTTEN A DEGREE OUT OF THE DEBT THAT THEY WENT INTO.

THAT TARGETED KIND OF RELIEF WILL ENABLE THEM TO DO THINGS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PUTTING OFF.

HAVING A FAMILY, OPENING A BUSINESS.

WE NEED TO WORK ON THAT ISSUE OF TUITION BECAUSE I'M AFRAID WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK TO WHERE WE ARE IN JUST A FEW YEARS.

I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THAT ASPECT.

>> LAST QUESTION.

WHAT DO YOU TELL BUSINESS OWNERS IN YOUR DISTRICT OR THEY CAN'T FIND PEOPLE TO WORK BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GETTING MONEY THAT IS BEING HANDED OUT.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO FIND PEOPLE EVEN AT HIGHER INCREASED WAGES.

THE MINIMUM WAGE HAS SKYROCKETED AND INCREASED.

AND YET THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING WORKERS BECAUSE THEY SAY PEOPLE THINK THEY CAN JUST GET MONEY FROM DIFFERENT AVENUES AS OPPOSED TO WORKING.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

WHAT DO YOU TELL THE BUSINESS OWNERS?

THEY CANNOT FIND ANYONE TO WORK.

>> THAT IS NOT MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE ECONOMY IS TODAY.

IT HAS BEEN GROWING.

WE ARE FINALLY GETTING AROUND THOSE ISSUES OF WORKER SHORTAGES .

A LOT OF THAT WAS DO TO COVID.

A LOT OF THAT WAS FRANKLY DO TO PEOPLE TRYING TO BALANCE THEIR PERSONAL LIFE WITH A CHILD THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN IN SCHOOL BECAUSE OF COVID.

I THINK WE ARE FINALLY GETTING ON TOP OF THAT.

HANG IN THERE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT .

>> KIRSTEN ENGEL, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>>> UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON" , A WRITING WORKSHOP FOR CAREGIVERS.

>>> BALANCING ACTS AS A LOCAL WRITING WORKSHOP THAT AIMS TO HELP CAREGIVERS EXPRESS THEMSELVES THROUGH WRITING AND IN DOING SO JOIN OTHERS WHO ARE SHARING THEIR STORIES OF CARING FOR LOVED ONES.

HERE WITH MORE ON BALANCING ACTS IS WORKSHOP CREATOR AMY SILVERMAN AND ONE OF THE WORKSHOP'S PARTICIPANTS, AMANDA KEHRBERG.

AMY, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

GIVE ME A DEFINITION OF BALANCING ACTS.

>> TO START WITH I DID NOT CREATE THE WORKSHOP OR COME UP WITH THE IDEA.

LAURA HALE AT SCOTTSDALE ARTS DID.

IT'S PART OF THE LEARNING AND INNOVATION.

TO BACK UP, THE IDEA OF BALANCING ACTS IS THAT AS A CAREGIVER YOU PROBABLY ARE DOING QUITE A HIGH WIRE ACT JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY.

>> AND A WRITING WORKSHOP GIVES YOU A WAY TO EXPRESS.

IS IT THERAPEUTIC OR WHAT IS THE GOAL?

>> WHAT WE SAY IS IT MIGHT BE THERAPEUTIC, BUT I AM NOT A THERAPIST.

IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE MEMBERS OF THE WORKSHOP.

THAT'S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MEMOIR RIDING WORKSHOPS.

WE DID THE FIRST ONE LAST FALL.

I'M SORRY, LAST SPRING.

WE HAD CAREGIVERS WHO CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, PARENTS AND CHILDREN AT THE SAME TIME.

AMANDA WILL TELL YOU HER STORY.

I HONESTLY WAS A LITTLE BIT WORRIED THAT IT WOULD BE JUST DEPRESSING AND KIND OF A DOWNER.

BUT INSTEAD, IT WAS REALLY UPLIFTING.

>> AMANDA, TELL US YOUR STORY NOW.

YOU ARE A CAREGIVER.

IT'S A CLEAR AND COMPELLING STORY AND I WANT TO KNOW IF IT'S SIMILAR TO KEEPING A JOURNAL.

HOW DID YOU APPROACH IT?

>> I THINK IT CAN BE.

I TOOK A LOT OF NOTES DURING THE EXPERIENCE JUST BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO BOTH LOOK BACK ON IT AS MUCH AS YOU DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT AND KIND OF TRY TO HELP PROCESS IT AS IT'S HAPPENING.

I CARED FOR MY DAD FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS.

HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ALS.

WE HAD HIM FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS, WHICH WAS VERY LUCKY.

BUT IT'S A DIFFICULT JOB.

IT IS GRUELING MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY IN WAYS THAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN IN IT.

AS MUCH AS PEOPLE REMIND YOU SELF-CARE NEEDS TO COME FIRST, IT'S EASY TO LOSE YOURSELF IN CAREGIVING.

SO WRITING ABOUT IT MAKES YOU PUT YOURSELF ON THE PAGE AS THE PROTAGONIST AGAIN.

>> HOW DIFFICULT IS PUTTING YOURSELF ON THE PAGE WHEN YOU KNOW YOU MIGHT VERY WELL BE READING WHAT YOU ARE PUTTING ON THE PAGE IN FRONT OF OTHERS?

>> YOU KNOW, IT WASN'T AS HARD AS I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE.

I ENDED UP REALLY ENJOYING IT, ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS READING TO OTHER CAREGIVERS.

THERE ARE LOTS OF TIMES WE WAKE UP AND WE DON'T FEEL INSPIRED AND WE DEFINITELY DON'T FEEL INSPIRATIONAL.

OTHER CAREGIVERS UNDERSTAND THAT .

WE ARE, I THINK, MORE ABLE TO BE HONEST WITH EACH OTHER WHEN IT'S FRUSTRATING AND WHEN IT MAKES YOU ANGRY AND THAT DOESN'T TAKE AWAY FROM ANY OF THE LOVE OR GRATEFULNESS THAT YOU FEEL ABOUT IT.

IT'S JUST PART OF THE EXPERIENCE .

>> LIKE BUILDING A COMMUNITY?

>> BUILDING A COMMUNITY AND GETTING INTO THE SHADES OF GRAY.

CAREGIVING IS NOT USUALLY FUN AND GAMES.

IT IS REALLY HARD TO EXPRESS THAT TO THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.

LIKE THE PEOPLE YOU.

WITH OR DISTANT FAMILY MEMBERS.

PEOPLE DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT'S INVOLVED.

HAVING A GROUP WHERE EVERYBODY CAN BE SO HONEST WITH EACH OTHER REALLY CREATED GREAT.

AND THEN THEY DID A PRESENTATION AT THE END FOR THE PUBLIC.

THAT WAS SPECIAL.

>> WE HAVE HEARD AMANDA'S STORY AND SOME OTHER STORIES THAT STICK OUT TO YOU.

>> WE HAD A WOMAN WHO CARES FOR THEIR TWO CHILDREN, BOTH OF WHOM ARE DEAF BLIND.

WE HAD A MAN WHO WAS CARING FOR HIS WIFE WHO HAD ALZHEIMER'S.

SHE PASSED AWAY THIS SUMMER.

I WAS ALSO A LITTLE BIT WORRIED BECAUSE I KNEW AMANDA BEFORE SHE TOOK THE WORKSHOP.

WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAD ALREADY LOST A LOVED ONE IN THE SAME WORKSHOP AS SOMEBODY WHO IS CARING FOR SOMEONE AT THAT TIME?

I KNOW AMANDA IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG PERSON.

I WASN'T WORRIED ABOUT HERE.

I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

>> I WAS IN A VERY DIFFERENT PART OF THE PROCESS BECAUSE I WAS STILL IN IT.

OF GRIEF AT THE TIME.

I WAS WRITING BOTH IN PAST TENSE AND A WAY THAT I HADN'T BEFORE WHEN I WAS WRITING ABOUT IT WHEN IT WAS HAPPENING TO ME.

IN A SENSE, I WORRIED ABOUT MAYBE GIVING A PREVIEW OF HOW HARD THAT IS AND MAKING THAT FEEL REAL FOR PEOPLE WHO HAD NOT LOST SOMEONE YET.

IT WAS SOMETHING I WORRIED ABOUT MORE FOR OTHERS, BUT IT WAS HELPFUL FOR ME.

>> WE WORKED HARD TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE.

I DO THAT IN WRITING MEMOIR WORKSHOPS WHERE YOU ARE SHARING, REALLY SENSITIVE DETAILS.

WE ALWAYS START OFF BY ESTABLISHING GROUND RULES.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE WORKSHOP STAYS IN THE WORKSHOP.

AND TO ALWAYS START WITH CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WORK.

EVEN BEYOND THE WORK, WE WOULD GATHER VIRTUALLY, WHICH IS A SILVER LINING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS A CAREGIVER.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.

PEOPLE WERE SO RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER EVEN IN CHATTING WHILE WAITING FOR EVERYONE TO GET ON HER GETTING READY TO GET OFF THE CALL.

SO SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER.

GETTING TO MEET IN PERSON AT THE END WAS INCREDIBLE.

>> YOU MENTIONED WRITING WORKSHOP.

THEY CAN BE NOTORIOUSLY CUTTHROAT.

>> THIS IS A DIFFERENT PIECE.

BUT STILL WHEN YOU ARE WRITING, WITH EVERYTHING ELSE GOING ON, ARE YOU WORRIED IF THIS MAKES SENSE OR IF THE SENTENCE STRUCTURE IS RIGHT?

THAT IS WHAT WRITERS DO?

>> I KNOW SHE WILL HATE THIS, BUT AMY IS SO GOOD AT THAT.

SHE IS SO GOOD AT MAKING SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS YOU ARE HERE TO BE SUPPORTIVE, BUT ALSO GIVE FEEDBACK.

SHE IS SO GOOD AT TEACHING YOU HOW TO GROW WITHIN YOUR OWN VOICE.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SOUND THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE, AND THAT'S OKAY.

>> THE LITTLE PERSON OR CRITIC ON YOUR SHOULDER IS MAYBE NOT SO STRONG IN THIS SITUATION?

>> I THINK SO.

IT CAN BE VALIDATING JUST TO READ YOUR WORK OUT LOUD.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

AND THEN TO GET THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FROM YOUR PEERS.

IN THIS CASE, THEY REALLY ARE YOUR PEERS.

GIVING YOU FEEDBACK.

SOMETIMES IT'S ON THE ACTUAL PRACTICE OF THE WRITING AND SOMETIMES IT'S ON MORE OF THE IDEAS.

>> YOU DID MOTHERS WHO RIGHT WORKSHOPS AND OTHER KINDS OF WORKSHOPS.

THIS IS A DEAL WITH YOU, ISN'T IT?

>> DEBORAH AND I JUST CELEBRATED 20 YEARS OF TEACHING MOTHERS WHO RIGHT TO GATHER.

ANOTHER CLASS THAT I WAS A LITTLE HESITANT TO TEACH AND DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO.

IT WASN'T MY IDEA.

BUT I LOVE IT.

THERE IS SOMETHING KIND OF MAGICAL ABOUT IT.

COMPARED WITH MY DAY JOB WHICH IS A BIT OF A GRIND.

>> THIS IS LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF EDITING AND SHEPHERDING AND THAT KIND OF THING.

>> THERE IS LANGUAGE I USE ABOUT THE COMPARISON THAT I WON'T USE ON PUBLIC TELEVISION.

IT'S A LITTLE ROUGHER IN THE DAY JOB AND A LITTLE MORE TOUCHY-FEELY IN THE WRITING WORKSHOP.

>> WHERE CAN PEOPLE GET MORE INFORMATION ON THIS?

>> THEY CAN GET MORE INFORMATION AT SCOTTSDALE ARTS.org.

>> ALRIGHT.

BALANCING ACT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PROGRAM.

>>> THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I AM TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US .

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.