Stepping Stone Advocacy Services

08/13/2026

This one is personal for me, as the Founder of Stepping Stone Advocacy Services.

I know healthcare from the nurse’s side. I know it as a Nurse Patient Advocate. But I also know what it feels like to suddenly be the patient trying to navigate it.

I received a diagnosis. I was prescribed a medication that I eventually could no longer tolerate. That led to a referral to a specialist and a recommendation for a different treatment.

Then came the insurance denials.

Not once. Several times.

And suddenly, what should have been a clinical decision between me and my healthcare team became an insurance battle too.

It was stressful. And even with more than four decades of nursing experience and an understanding of how healthcare works, I found myself thinking:
What does someone do when they don’t know how to navigate this?

That experience reinforced something I believe deeply.

A patient shouldn’t have to find one person to understand the medical side and another person to figure out the insurance side, while they are already dealing with the emotional weight of a diagnosis.

Their advocates should be able to jump in together.

The nurse can understand the diagnosis, treatment plan and clinical implications. The insurance advocate can tackle the authorization, denial, appeal and coverage issues. And they can communicate with each other so the patient isn’t left trying to connect the dots.

That is why our Gold Service Program at means so much to me.

It isn’t an add-on service.

It reflects what I learned firsthand as a patient:
Sometimes getting the right care requires advocating for the treatment AND advocating for access to it.

Have you experienced a new diagnosis, had to find a specialist, and new medication only to have to fight to have it paid for by your insurance company?

I would love to hear your story.

Perhaps our Gold Service Program can support you too!

Patients and families deserve support on both sides.

Learn more:
https://steppingstoneadvocacy.com

08/11/2026

Confusion can be confusing!

Today we compare the story of Alice in Wonderland, to relate to what confusion looks and feels like- a little different approach!

Sharing our recent article from Stepping Stone Advocacy Services “Recognizing the Signs” educational series.

If you notice a change in a loved one’s behavior, it is worth looking into.



https://lnkd.in/ejtTn6py

https://steppingstoneadvocacy.com/blog/why-is-my-loved-one-so-confused/?fbclid=IwdGRjcATn-QJwZG9mBWZkaWQWUMQMHRsLUkTwuOrRYkyb2Bv0thjb7WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAc3RoYxgeogWK2y5_AR7xP05kZwAuyMEXTGHxbRB4Xl0FpL_iPO4DsvWqrx0730MYSaa8QWvw0snDKA_aem_rwfKAG6MqcTRY6TSrtVEJQ

Has your loved one suddenly become confused? Learn common causes of sudden confusion in older adults, when it’s a medical emergency

07/06/2026

Snoring is often the punchline of a joke.

We tease our spouses about it. We buy earplugs. We sleep in separate rooms. We chalk it up to getting older.

But sometimes, snoring is much more than a bedtime annoyance.

It can be one of the earliest warning signs of sleep apnea—a condition that affects your sleep, your heart, your brain, your energy, and your overall health.

As part of our July Awareness Series, we're shining a light on conditions that are often overlooked or dismissed until they begin affecting quality of life.

Our latest blog explores why recognizing the signs early can make all the difference.

Awareness is the first step toward better health. If this sounds familiar to you or someone you love, we encourage you to read the article and start the conversation.

Sleep apnea is more than just loud snoring. Learn the warning signs, health risks, and why proper diagnosis and treatment can improve sleep

07/01/2026

The Lipstick Theory 💄

The other morning, while putting on my makeup, I found myself standing at the bathroom counter trying to decide which lipstick to wear.

I pulled out several tubes and slowly twisted each one until the color appeared.

Then I smiled.

There, scattered across the counter, was quite a collection.

Some lipsticks were worn down in the middle from years of being applied the same way. Others were flat across the top, used evenly over time. A few were worn all the way down to a tiny nub. And one beautiful purple shade looked like it had barely touched a pair of lips.

As I looked at them, I couldn't help but think about the nurses I've met throughout my career.

We all wear the same title.

But no two of us have the same story.

Maybe you've been the red lipstick. You have been bold and courageous. The one who stepped into every challenge until there was almost nothing left to give.

Maybe you've been the pink lipstick. You have been steady and dependable. The quiet team player whose impact was felt every single day, even if it wasn't always noticed.

Or maybe you're the purple lipstick. You are new to nursing and full of enthusiasm and possibility, just beginning your journey.

I lined every lipstick up in a row.

And what I saw wasn't a collection of worn-out tubes.

I saw a beautiful display of colors.

Beautifully imperfect.

Each one valuable because of how it had been used.
Just like nurses.

I see you.

I see the bedside nurse caring for children, adults, or older adults.
I see the case manager coordinating impossible situations.
I see the nurse educator shaping future generations.
I see the hospice nurse bringing comfort.
I see the school nurse, the occupational health nurse, the home health nurse, the infusion nurse, the operating room nurse, the public health nurse, the executive leader, and the CEO.

Every experience you've had has shaped you.

Every patient you've cared for has taught you something.

Every challenge has added another layer to who you are.

And even if you feel a little worn down...

There is still tremendous value in everything you've become.

Because patient advocacy comes in many colors.

And there is a place for every nurse.

The Nurse Advocate Initiative was created to help nurses discover how their unique experiences can become the foundation for a meaningful career in patient advocacy.

Because the world doesn't need nurses who all look the same.

It needs every color.

💙 Learn more about The Nurse Advocate Initiative and discover how your nursing journey can become someone else's lifeline.

https://www.steppingstoneadvocacy.com

06/25/2026

Caregiver burnout is real! Listen in as our founder, Lori Schellenberg, discusses tips to lessen this burden!

06/18/2026

Our founder, Lori Schellenberg, was recently a guest on the Podcast “My Nurse Specialty”.

Sharing her conversation about her story and journey to her current role as a Nurse Patient Advocate and owner of Stepping Stone Advocacy Services and the development of the Nurse Advocate Initiative.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0zKylWCGFUgnIdtP4QjuaV?

My Nurse Specialty · Episode

06/04/2026

🧠 Introducing Our June Educational Series: Dementia Dialog – For Patients, Families, and Caregivers

Dementia is a diagnosis that touches far more than the individual living with the condition. It impacts spouses, adult children, grandchildren, friends, and caregivers—often changing family dynamics and creating new challenges along the way.

At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, we work with families navigating these challenges every day. That's why we've dedicated our June educational series to providing practical information, guidance, and support for those affected by dementia.

This week, we're sharing our featured pillar article:

"Dementia Dialog: Understanding Dementia and Supporting Those You Love"

In this article, we explore:
✔ What dementia is and how it differs from normal aging
✔ Early warning signs families should recognize
✔ Common challenges faced by caregivers
✔ The importance of planning before a crisis occurs
✔ Resources and support available to families

Throughout June, we'll also be sharing short educational videos and caregiver tips designed to help families feel more informed, prepared, and supported.

If dementia has touched your family, we hope you'll follow along with us this month.

Learn how to navigate dementia care with confidence. This guide helps patients and families understand the journey, ask the right questions

06/02/2026

At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, we often talk about navigating healthcare, coordinating care, and helping families find answers.

But at the heart of everything we do is something much simpler: human connection.

The healthcare professionals who leave the greatest impact aren't always remembered for a procedure they performed or a diagnosis they explained. They are remembered for the moments they sat beside someone during fear, uncertainty, grief, or loss and made sure they didn't face it alone.

This story is a beautiful reminder that compassion has a lasting impact—sometimes for a lifetime.

Take a moment to read this powerful story.❤️

⬇️

She carried one sentence for 56 years. Grief shouldn't sit alone. She never let it.

In 1968, ten-year-old Cate Blanchett lost her father Robert to a sudden heart attack in a Sydney hospital. That night, night nurse Maeve Donnelly, 38, stayed nine hours past the end of her shift and sat in the corridor holding Cate's mother's hand while Cate slept across three plastic chairs.

She refused overtime pay. She told them, "Grief shouldn't sit alone." Cate carried those four words for 56 years. In 2024, a retired matron helped her track Maeve down — now 94, living in a Parramatta care home, $94,000 behind on care bills, with no children and a memory that was quietly slipping away.

Cate knelt beside her chair and said, "Maeve. The girl in the corridor came back." Maeve looked at her and whispered, "Robert's daughter?" Cate said, "You remembered." Maeve said softly, "Some grief I kept." Cate's hands shook.

She said, "You held ours too long to forget." She cleared every dollar of debt that week. She now sits with Maeve every second Thursday and holds her hand through the silences. Maeve doesn't always know her name anymore. Cate stays anyway.

05/18/2026

In our May educational series we are focusing on medication management and safety.

This week's blog focuses on the importance of understanding your medications and side effects.

Some medication side effects can quickly turn serious. Learn which symptoms may require an ER visit and how to advocate

05/14/2026

This past weekend, one of our incredible Nurse Patient Advocates reached an amazing milestone — earning her PhD.

Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Dr. Anja Dietmer! 🎓👏

At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, we believe patient advocacy is strengthened by experience, compassion, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Anja has always brought exceptional dedication and professionalism to the patients and families she serves, and now she brings another level of expertise to our team.

Earning a PhD is no small accomplishment. It reflects years of hard work, perseverance, leadership, and passion for advancing healthcare and nursing practice.

We are incredibly proud to work alongside her and excited for the continued impact she will make as both a nurse leader and patient advocate.

Congratulations, Dr. Dietmer. Your Stepping Stone family is cheering you on every step of the way. 💙🪸