South-Carolina
South Carolina lawmaker shares how therapy changed his life
COLUMBIA, S.C. – November was Men’s Health Month, which highlights not only physical well-being but also mental health — an area many men struggle to talk about or seek help for.
South Carolina Rep. Hamilton Grant of District 79 says therapy didn’t just help him manage stress. It reshaped how he leads, resolves conflict and communicates with those closest to him.
Now, he’s sharing his story to encourage more men to consider counseling as a tool for wellness, not weakness.
Grant says his mental health journey began with challenges in his professional relationship with his father, whom he also works with.
“There was friction we just couldn’t work through on our own,” Grant said. “Therapy helped us see what we couldn’t see — and it really enhanced our relationship.”
He said one of the biggest lessons he learned is understanding the difference between emotions and facts.
“We’re all entitled to our feelings, but that doesn’t make them factual,” he said. “Once you understand that, you can process emotions and have real conversations that lead to healing.”
Dr. Chad Middleton, a licensed therapist and founder of Vision Counseling, has worked with men for more than 20 years. He says many men grow up being taught to suppress emotion, which often leads to unresolved stress.
“As children, boys are told not to cry,” Middleton said. “So, as men, we don’t know how to express feelings. My sessions, I call them ‘throw up sessions,’ because until you get it out, you can’t start healing.”
Grant said therapy helped him recognize how emotional stress can quickly turn into physical consequences.
“When men don’t feel appreciated, we shut down,” he said. “That stress builds up — and it can turn from mental health to physical health.”
Both Grant and Middleton say their mission now is improving access to counseling by making mental health care more affordable and accessible to South Carolinians.
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Advocates, caregivers, patients, and community leaders gathered at the South Carolina State House on Friday for the inaugural South Carolina Sickle Cell Day.
Organizers said the event focused on raising awareness of sickle cell disease.
The South Carolina CBO Collective Caucus hosted the event at 10 a.m., coinciding with World Sickle Cell Day and Juneteenth.
Organizers said the gathering brought together healthcare professionals, legislators, advocates, and supporters from across the state to discuss education, support, and action related to sickle cell disease.
The program is designed to amplify the voices of individuals and families impacted by the disease and encourage conversations about healthcare access, advocacy, research, and community support, organizers said.
Attendees heard personal stories and learned about challenges faced by those living with sickle cell disease.
“World Sickle Cell Day is a powerful call to action for all of us,” said founder and CEO of The B Strong Group Brenda Green. She said the collaboration expands support, strengthens community response, and stands with affected families.
The B Strong Group, founded in 2017 and based in Columbia, is a nonprofit organization focused on sickle cell awareness, advocacy, and caregiver support.
The group organizes blood drives, caregiver workshops, and awareness campaigns under the motto “Educate, Advocate, Empower.”
An 87-year-old businessman in Columbia, South Carolina says he has no plans to retire.
Leonard Fabrizio works as a retailer at Brittons of Columbia, a locally-owned men’s clothing store.
“I’m not the type of person who can sit around by myself,” said Fabrizio. “I just enjoy the interaction and that’s the big thing, is the interaction with people. It’s always been the drive in this business for me, said Fabrizio.
Fabrizio’s retail career began as a college student when he worked at J.C. Penney. He has watched Columbia grow and has owned a store and managed several others.
His advice is to “Be patient. It takes time to build a business. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s rewarding. It’s fun. But you have to have compassion for the business.”
Fabrizio recently celebrated another birthday alongside those who have supported his career.
(WPDE) — June 9 marked International Batten Disease Awareness Day, shining a light on a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder.
It primarily affects children and causes harmful waste material to build up inside the cells of the brain and nervous system.
One South Carolina family used the day to raise awareness as their 2-year-old son, Sam Stockton, lives with CLN2 Batten disease.
Sam was diagnosed at 16 weeks old, and his family says they travel every other week for enzyme-replacement therapy while also searching for clinical research opportunities.
Through Hope for Sam, the family is working to spread information about Batten disease and support other families facing rare diseases.
“Just the more you know about rare diseases, I never knew that over 300 million people worldwide live with rare diseases. And that means there’s less access to care because people aren’t researching it and not as many people have it. So the more information that’s out there, we feel is the better,” Jordan Stockton said.
There are 13 known types of Batten disease, and there is no cure. Researchers estimate the disease affects about two to four out of every 100,000 births in the United States.
The Stockton family says they have found support through the Batten Disease Support, Research and Advocacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families navigate the disease while providing resources.
More information and donation details are available at this link.
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