Leslie Carpenter is a serious brain disorders advocate who is working to improve quality of care for people with brain disorders all along the continuum of care locally, in the state of Iowa and in the country.  She also teaches NAMI Family to Family & NAMI Provider training and is an active member of her local NAMI Johnson County Board of Directors in Iowa City, Iowa.  

She and her husband, Scott, have been advocating for improvements in reimbursement rates for mental health professionals, treatment facilities, supportive community housing and ending the IMD exclusion.  They have 2 children, one of whom has a Schizoaffective Disorder combined with Anosognosia.  

They have witnessed just how traumatic it can be for someone with a serious brain disorder to get medical treatment, and want to work for improved collaboration between the patients and providers, and amongst the people involved at all levels of treatment.  

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Leslie’s Famous Snickerdoodle Recipe!!!!

3 3/4 Cups All-Purpose Baking Flour

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1 cup softened butter

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Oven 375 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet. Stir together flour, soda, cream of tartar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Beat butter for 30 seconds; add the 2 cups of sugar and beat till fluffy. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla; beat well. Add dry ingredients to mixture, beating well till well combined. Form dough into 1″ balls; roll in a mixture of the 3 teaspoons sugar and cinnamon. Place balls 2″ apart on a cookie sheet; flatten slightly. Bake in a 375 degree oven about 8 minutes or till light golden. Makes about 60!

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Topics Include:

Why use the term “Brain Disorder”?

What personal interactions has she had with presidential candidates in Iowa?

How can the court system support those with who struggle with their diagnosis?

What does healing mean to you?

Shownotes:

“Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness” by Pete Earley

“I’m Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help” by Dr. Xavier Amador

NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness. There are also links to state-specific NAMI sites

Joe Biden Mental Health Platform

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Parenting During a Pandemic