In 1990, a devastating tour bus crash left Gloria Estefan temporarily paralyzed and doctors warned she might never walk again. Thirty-four years later, the Grammy-winning icon is not only walking but dancing, performing, and giving back in a significant way. Estefan has donated more than $42 million to paralysis research, dedicating much of her life to finding a cure.

Estefan, widely known as the “Queen of Latin Pop,” has sold more than 100 million records and won a number of awards throughout her career, including multiple Grammys. She also made history last year as the first Hispanic woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. But beyond her musical success, Estefan’s commitment to paralysis research remains a core part of her life.

Reflecting on that day of the crash, Estefan recalls being told she might never walk again.

“They always have to give you the worst-case scenario,” she said on “CBS Mornings” on Monday.

Paralyzed after the accident, the now 67-year-old singer underwent surgery in New York and spent months in recovery. 

Estefan recalled installing an elevator in her home with her husband, Emilio, long before her accident, sensing she might need it one day. That decision proved vital, as she relied on it during her recovery

Estefan’s experience fueled her passion for supporting research into spinal cord injuries. She’s closely involved with the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a foundation co-founded by Dr. Barth Green and former Miami Dolphins player Nick Buoniconti. The project, now led by Buoniconti’s son Marc, has made strides in using brain interfaces to help restore muscle movement. She said there are 175 people working towards finding a cure and she believes that a breakthrough is possible.

Estefan’s recovery from the crash took time, but it was made possible through several personal milestones

 “About six months after the accident, I was able to put my underwear on by myself. That was a big deal,” she said. A year after the crash, she was back on stage, determined to show people that recovery is possible.

Beyond her philanthropy and quest to end paralysis, Estefan is working on new creative projects, including an original Broadway musical with her daughter, Emily. The musical, which has been in the works for two years, is nearing completion, and Estefan has also been recording a new Spanish-language album. 

The new album is inspired by her love story with her husband, Emilio. The couple, married for 46 years, continues to enjoy a strong relationship.

“We’re very blessed. We have a very beautiful relationship. It’s just grown closer and tighter through the years,” she said. 

Washington — Sen. JD Vance is facing off against Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at the vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News on Tuesday, as the two men with differing backgrounds look to highlight how their ticket is best suited for the White House.

For the junior senator from Ohio, who was first elected in 2022, Vance’s record in politics isn’t a long one. Vance rose to prominence in 2016 with the release of his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” which recounted his childhood growing up in the Rust Belt. Now the 40-year-old is seeking the nation’s second-highest office.

Vance’s views have appeared to shift during his time in the public eye — even when it comes to Trump himself. Initially an outspoken “Never Trumper,” Vance has since become a reliable defender of the former president’s record and vision.

Here’s what else to know about Vance’s views and record ahead of the VP debate: 

JD Vance’s views and record on IVF

Vance, whose selection as Trump’s running mate prompted the resurfacing of comments he made disparaging “childless cat ladies,” has expressed support for fertility treatments and what he sees as pro-family policies.

“Of course, we want to make it easier for moms and dads to choose life if, of course, they’re in a terrible situation where they have fertility problems,” Vance told Megyn Kelly in July, adding that he believes “babies are a profound moral good.”

IVF became a campaign issue after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that frozen embryos could be considered children, leading providers in the state to temporarily halt the treatment. Since then, many Republicans have expressed their support for the popular fertility treatments, including Trump, who has outlined plans to make IVF free for patients, either by requiring insurance plans to cover the treatments or having the government foot the bill. 

Democrats, who have worked to highlight GOP positions on the issue, have railed against Vance for his vote — or absence — on two votes on legislation that would have established a nationwide right to IVF earlier this year. Vance opposed the bill in June, and did not vote in September. All but two Republicans opposed the measure both times, despite expressions of support for the procedure. 

Vance signed on to a statement by all Senate Republicans in June pledging their support for the fertility treatments, saying they “strongly support continued nationwide access to IVF.” Vance has also voiced concerns about religious liberty related to IVF, suggesting that Chrisitian hospitals shouldn’t be required to provide the fertility treatments.

Abortion

Vance has previously supported restrictions on abortion, signaling in 2022 that he would back a nationwide restriction on abortion beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy, and campaigning on eliminating abortion in his bid for the Senate. But he has since softened his stance to align more closely with Trump’s. 

“I am pro-life. I want to save as many babies as possible,” Vance said on “Face the Nation” in May, arguing that it’s “totally reasonable” to oppose late-term abortions. “But I think Trump’s approach here is trying to settle a very tough issue and actually empower the American people to decide it for themselves.”

Vance has defended Trump’s stance on abortion, saying the issue should be left up to the states, though he’s also occasionally gotten ahead of the former president on the issue, like when he pledged that Trump would veto a national abortion ban. During the presidential debate, Trump wouldn’t say whether he would do so, adding that he hadn’t discussed it with Vance. 

LGBTQ rights

Vance has faced criticism from LGBTQ rights groups for his stances, especially when it comes to transgender issues. In 2023, Vance sponsored legislation that would ban access to gender-affirming care for minors, along with a bill to bar the State Department from allowing the gender marker “X” on passports. 

Vance also said he would vote no on the Respect for Marriage Act, which provided federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages, while campaigning for Senate in 2022, citing religious liberty concerns.

Foreign policy

Vance belongs to a wing of the GOP that has grown increasingly more isolationist in recent years under Trump’s leadership. He’s been one of  the most vocal Republican senators in his opposition to additional Ukraine aid, while suggesting late last year that the country should cede territory to Russia as part of a negotiated end to the war. More recently, the Marine veteran suggested that the war could end with the creation of a demilitarized zone between Russia and Ukraine. 

Vance has also praised some of the decisions made by authoritarian Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a leader who has maintained friendly relationships with U.S. adversaries, telling “Face the Nation” in May that the U.S “could learn from” some of his actions, including controversial policies related to dealing with dissidents at universities. Orbán seized control of state universities in a move that critics say has extended his government’s right-wing influence. Vance has been clear that he doesn’t endorse all of Orbán’s policies.

The economy

A central message of Vance’s 2016 book, detailing his personal story against the backdrop of the struggles of Appalachia and Rust Belt America, is that Americans experiencing economic hardship can improve their lives only by their own willpower. Since then, he’s had a diverse track record on the economy.

Vance has touted Trump’s economic proposals, including a number aimed at cutting taxes, saying on “Face the Nation” in September that the policies are reflective of the GOP belief that “American workers should keep more of their own money.” 

Despite concerns about the proposals adding to the national debt, Vance has cited Trump’s plans for tariffs that he says could offset the impact of the tax breaks on the deficit. And he’s generally been supportive of  protectionist trade policies.

A former venture capitalist who has ties to tech giants, Vance has also expressed criticism toward big tech in recent years. And he’s praised Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan for her work on antitrust enforcement in the Biden administration. 

Immigration

Since he launched his Senate bid, Vance has made immigration a centerpiece of his campaign strategy. Like Trump, he advocates for stricter border policies and mass deportations. He’s also voiced support for restarting construction of a border wall.

Vance has framed his opposition to immigration primarily based on its impact on American jobs. And he’s advocated for a merit-based system for legal immigration.

Recently, Vance has been at the center of a controversial story in Ohio revolving around debunked claims about Haitian immigrants. Vance amplified false rumors that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating the pets of their neighbors, while putting the blame on the Biden-Harris administration.

CBS News will host the only planned vice presidential debate between Vance and Walz on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 9 p.m. ET on CBS and CBS News 24/7. Download the free CBS News app for live coverage, post-debate analysis, comprehensive fact checks and more.

Credit card debt in the U.S. recently reached a new high, crossing the $1.14 trillion mark. This staggering figure reflects the broader financial challenges many Americans are facing, and it’s only part of a larger problem. Serious credit card payment delinquencies are rising, meaning more people are missing payments for 90 days or longer. And, about 20% of credit card users are maxed out on their credit limits, leaving them without access to any additional credit. 

This rise in credit card debt has coincided with other economic hurdles that have stretched budgets thin. Inflation, while cooling, has driven up prices on everyday goods and services over the last few years, making it hard for many to afford even basic necessities — and leading more people to rely on their credit cards to make ends meet. And with the average credit card interest rate now at a record high of nearly 23%, the cost of carrying balances from month to month is more burdensome than ever.

With these issues looming, tackling your credit card debt is a smart move to make, but the right approach isn’t always clear-cut. For some, credit card debt consolidation, which allows you to roll multiple debts into one lower-rate loan, may seem like the best way to get rid of your credit card debt, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The amount of credit card debt a person carries can significantly impact whether debt consolidation is the most efficient method. 

Want to learn more about your best debt relief options? Find out more here.

How much credit card debt is too much to consolidate?

There is no one-size-fits-all threshold at which credit card debt becomes too substantial for debt consolidation. The answer ultimately depends on several factors, including your total debt load, your income and your ability to stick to a repayment plan. 

That said, your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is a common metric lenders use to determine whether you can be approved for a debt consolidation loan. If your monthly debt payments exceed 40% of your gross monthly income, consolidation may become challenging. Lenders typically prefer a DTI of 36% or lower for consolidation loans. 

So, as a general rule, if your credit card debt has ballooned to the point where it’s more than half of your annual income, debt consolidation might not be the best solution. In such cases, the consolidated loan payments might still be too high for you to manage, even with a lower interest rate — and you may have trouble finding a lender who will approve your loan application.

Your credit score also plays a significant role. If you have significant credit card debt, your credit score is likely to have taken a hit, which means you may not qualify for the best terms on a consolidation loan — and a higher interest rate on a consolidation loan may not provide the savings you’re hoping for. 

The loan amount you would need could also have an impact. While there’s no strict upper limit for this type of loan, debt consolidation loans typically cap out around $50,000 to $100,000. If your debt load is beyond this range, other debt relief options may be more appropriate.

If you’re trying to tackle high-rate card debt, compare your debt relief options now.

Other options for tackling high credit card debt

If your credit card debt has surpassed the point where consolidation is viable, there are alternative strategies that can help manage and reduce the burden, including:

• Debt management programs: When you enroll in this type of plan, the credit counseling agency will help negotiate with your creditors to lower interest rates and create a structured repayment plan. This can be effective for those with significant debt across multiple cards.
• Debt forgiveness: This approach involves negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full amount owed. While it can reduce your overall debt, it can have severe negative impacts on your credit score and may result in tax implications.
• Balance transfers: For those with good credit, transferring balances to a card with a 0% introductory APR period can provide temporary relief and allow for more efficient debt repayment. However, this strategy is typically more suitable for moderate amounts of debt.
• Hardship programs: Sometimes, creditors may be willing to lower interest rates or set up a more manageable payment plan if you reach out and explain your financial hardship.
• Bankruptcy: In extreme cases where debt has become truly unmanageable, bankruptcy may be a last resort option to consider. While it can provide a fresh start, it also comes with long-lasting consequences for your credit and financial future.

The bottom line

When trying to get rid of high-rate credit card debt, using a debt consolidation loan to tackle it could help you lower the interest charges, making it easier and more affordable to pay off what you owe. But while debt consolidation can be an effective tool for managing moderate levels of debt, it’s important to fully assess your financial situation and explore all of your available options — especially when you’re dealing with high amounts of card debt. That way, you can make the best and most educated decision for your finances.