Episode 70 | Sara's Story - Telling Your Child You Have Cancer
Release Date: 06/02/2021
Episode 161 | Dana’s Story - Micropreemie Twins Born at Home
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
Katie along with Co-host Cortney Given, host of the podcast , interviews Dana who had micro-preemie twins at home. She bravely shares her story and how she and her husband acted quickly with the unexpected home birth. Dana shares how she navigated the long NICU stay and the moments to come afterward. You will get a glimpse into their life today and what it looks like to manage their medical care. Dana's journey to advocacy and letting others into your life during challenging seasons as a medical parent is something that is talked about enough in this important conversation on today's...
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Episode 160 | Jodi’s Story - HELLP Syndrome and a Premature Birth
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
Katie has a co-host, Serheen Noor Ali from on today's episode where we hear Jodi's story of developing HELLP Syndrome and having a premature birth. Jodi walks us through her birth story along with those first moments meeting her daughter. She speaks to the joy we find in the unexpected and will leave you inspired to embrace where you are today. You will get to know Jodi's heart behind the creation of Fllrish. [5:40] Full circle of relationships [6:07] The crash course of becoming a medical parent [7:14] Special needs mother's quitting the workforce [9:30] Thinking ahead about Kindergarten...
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Episode 159 | Ryan’s Story - A son with Muscular Dystrophy (Becker’s)
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
On today's episode of the podcast, Katie interviews Ryan who's son has Becker's Muscular Dystrophy. Ryan tells the story of the road to diagnosis for his son Jack and how their family coped along the way. Hear about what fueled Ryan to start an organization to help fund research to change the lives of children and adults with Muscular Dystrophy. This episode is filled with inspiration, hope and the raw perspective of a father advocating for his son. [4:20] Ryan Introduces himself [7:24] They noticed Jack was toe walking at 3 years old [9:20] Braces helped Jack walk flat footed [11:11] Noticing...
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Episode 158 | Kristen’s Story - Licensed Family Therapist - Anxiety in Children
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
On today's episode, Katie meets with Kristen McNeely, a Licensed family therapist who is in expert on Anxiety in Children. Kristen shares the importance of how we respond to anxiety as parents and caregivers, helping children understand what anxiety is and how we can help them navigate their feelings. This episode is full of ways to support your child through anxious moments and knowing when to get them help. [4:12] Kristen introduces herself [5:45] Seeing more behavior disorders that are manifesting as anxiety [7:15] Your child's anxiety is not your fault [7:45] The way we respond to their...
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Episode 157 | Crystal Polk - Social Worker + Caregiver Expert
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
podcast, Katie interviews Crystal Polk, a Social Worker and Licensed Therapist speaks about the dual role parents of medically complex children hold as caregiver and parent. Crystal specializes in working with families who have children with special or medical needs. She gives parents practical things they can do today to start on the path of healing. [3:30] Crystal introduces herself [6:00] Identifying the differences between caregiving and parenting [8:30] Acknowledging the stages of grief [9:40] Grieving what you once imagined [11:03] Delegation, being heard and frustration are common...
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Episode 156 | Michele’s Story - Child loss and the sibling relationships
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
On this week's episode of the podcast, Katie interviews Michele Benyo, a Certified Grief Specialist who helps families navigate the loss of a child with a focus on sibling relationships. Michele experienced the loss of her 6 year old son due to cancer. Michele shares how her daughter still maintained her relationship with her son in the midst of several long hospitalizations and how she processed the loss of her brother. *trigger warning-- this episode talks about loss and grief * [4:15] Michele Introduces herself [5:47] How her career and experience with losing a child collided [7:30] Helping...
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Episode 155 | Travis’ Story - A daughter with Cystic Fibrosis
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
Travis shares how they discovered his daughter's cystic fibrosis diagnosis at age 4. Just months earlier, Travis learned his half sister was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. He shares how the journey impacted his life on a professional and personal level creating the foundation, Piper's Angels to help support families dealing with a Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis. [3:50] Introductions [6:43] Showing signs of respiratory issues [8:11] Chest X-Ray to determine the cause of the Cystic Fibrosis [8:37] Adamant state of denial [9:16] The earth-shattering news of the Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis [11:06]...
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Episode 154 | Savannah’s Story - Traumatic birth, Micro Preemie Twins, and Cerebral Palsy
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
On this episode, Savannah shares what it means to have wreck-less hope. Through her traumatic birth, having micro preemie twins and receiving a cerebral palsy diagnosis for one of the twins, Savanah explains how her twins have changed her outlook on life and how she cherishes the little things life has to offer. Savannah opens up about maternal mental health and how it affected her. It is her mission to help other moms experiencing a traumatic brith feel not alone through the gift of artwork and support. [4:05] Introductions [4:55] Stories of hope [6:47] History of pre-term labor [7:29] Going...
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Episode 153 | Expert: Virtual Speech Language Pathologist
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
On this episode of the podcast, Lenora from BetterSpeech shares about virtual speech language pathology services and how they can be beneficial for not just the child but for the family. Lenora explains how making a connection with the child positively impacts the progress of speech therapy. This episode is informative of what a virtual session would look like and provides valuable insight to parents seeking out virtual therapy services. [2:50] Lenora introudces herself [3:59] How she got started in Speech Language Pathology [4:32] Integration of therapy into the family setting [5:35]...
info_outline![Episode 152 | Kelly’s Story - A daughter with Epilepsy [Trigger Warning: Death] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/25604598?height=50&width=50)
Episode 152 | Kelly’s Story - A daughter with Epilepsy [Trigger Warning: Death]
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
This episode is full of tangible truth about what it means to be a caregiver and advocate. Kelly shares about her daughter's epilepsy diagnosis and how it changed her entire world. After a normal pregnancy and delivery, Adelaide wasn't gaining weight and had low muscle tone which was the beginning of her epilepsy diagnosis. Kelly became involved in CURE Epilepsy's mission and shares how Adelaide's spirit lives on through the work she does today. **Trigger warning: Kelly talks about her daughter's death in this episode** [3:20] Introductions [4:35] Adelaide's diagnosis [5:15] Miguel...
info_outlineNot only does Sara talk with us about getting diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34, but she also talks about how she went through it as a single mother navigating life with a six-year-old.
We talk about
+How she advocated for herself and encourages parents to ask the same things for themselves that they do for their children
+How asking for help was non-negotiable and she had to learn to get comfortable with it
+How she told her six-year-old that she had cancer and her daughter’s emotional response to having a mother go through chemotherapy and painful surgeries.
Learn more about Sara’s calendar and book resources for families going through difficult experiences through Mighty and Bright.