AARP & Sky Blossom: The Grier Family Registration

Start Date:2/17/2021

Start Time:7:00 PM EST

Duration:60 minutes

Abstract:

Sky Blossom is a raw, candid look at the 24.5 million teens and twenty-somethings caring for a veteran parent or grandparent. Caring for family with tough medical conditions, they stay at home doing things often seen only in hospitals. They are cheerleaders, work part time, and go to college — but also live double lives — quietly growing up as America’s next greatest generation.

In tonight's excerpt, we meet the Grier Family, residing in Pennsylvania. Rob Jr.’s full-time job is caring for his dad, a football Civil Rights icon. Junior’s daughter sees how his caregiving has taken a toll, his divorce from her Mom just finalized. The Grier family doesn’t falter--each having cared for different family members all their entire lives. This event is live only and a recording will not be available after the event concludes.

If you're already registered for the AARP & Sky Blossom: The Grier Family webcast, click below:

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Speakers

Rob Grier

Rob Grier, Jr. is one of the millions of caregivers in the sandwich generation, taking care of elderly parents while also raising a child. Rob has cared for his love ones starting in 2011 when his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. After she passed away, Rob continued his caregiving for his father Rob Sr., an Air Force veteran and Civil Rights icon.

Richard Lui

Director and MSNBC News Anchor

Richard Lui is a veteran and award-winning journalist with more than 30 years in television, film, technology, and business. Currently at MSNBC and previously with CNN Worldwide, he is the first Asian American man to anchor a daily national cable news program, and a team Emmy and Peabody winner. Richard’s directorial debut, the documentary, “SKY BLOSSOM” is nominated for an AARP Movies For Grownups Award. Learn more at richardlui.com.

Leslie Hunt

Development Director

Hope for The Warriors

Leslie Hunt helps lead the revenue team as Hope for The Warriors’ Development Director. She began her career at Hope in 2009 and has helped the organization with many campaigns and events, including the very first Holiday Giving campaign! Leslie is a military spouse who has been married to her husband Chris, a retired U.S. Marine for 23 years. She and her husband are the proud parents of two children, Tyler, who attends the University of Kentucky, and Kaitlyn, who attends the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Emery Popoloski

Fellow

Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Emery Popoloski is a 2014 Elizabeth Dole Fellow from Massachusetts. Besides being a mother, Emery is also a military caregiver for her husband, Charles, a combat disabled Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran. After two deployments, Emery and Charles thought he had returned home “untouched” by war. In the years following, he developed seizures and was diagnosed with a Traumatic Brian Injury (TBI) and other medical diagnosis soon followed. After leaving the military in 2012, they have worked hard to establish a new life post-military and post-injury. Emery previously worked for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation as the Fellows Program Coordinator and Caregiver Community Program Coordinator. In 2019 she received her Master of Public Administration and Policy from American University, and is currently working full time in the Boston, MA area.