loader from loading.io

Episode 74 | Jessica’s Story - A son with Prader-Willi syndrome

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

Release Date: 06/30/2021

The NICU Dad Experience: A father’s view from the NICU [REPOST] (257)-Alex’s Story show art The NICU Dad Experience: A father’s view from the NICU [REPOST] (257)-Alex’s Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

What happens when your world changes with a single phone call? In this powerful reposted episode, NICU dad and advocate Alex Zavala shares his emotional journey of fatherhood after his daughter was born at just 27 weeks. From the emergency C-section and NICU stay to the emotional toll of the "NICU dad shuffle," Alex opens up about the lesser-heard experience of dads navigating medical trauma, guilt, and resilience. As the host of the NICU Dad Podcast, Alex continues to amplify the voices of fathers facing similar experiences. This conversation is an essential listen for NICU families and...

info_outline
Helping Kids Swallow Pills:Tips and tricks for Parents from a Child Life Specialist (256)-Adina's Story show art Helping Kids Swallow Pills:Tips and tricks for Parents from a Child Life Specialist (256)-Adina's Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

Learning to swallow pills can be a major milestone—and a big challenge—for many kids. In this episode, certified child life specialist Adina Levitan joins host Katie Taylor to break down the myths, fears, and best practices behind teaching children how to confidently swallow pills. From her clinical expertise to creative solutions like affirmations, games, and candy "pill" practice, Adina walks us through her unique approach to supporting kids and parents through this skill-building process. Whether you're a caregiver, clinician, or a parent trying to help your child at home, this episode...

info_outline
A Microtia Atresia Diagnosis: Hearing Aids, Surgery and a Journey of Hope  [REPOST] - Kim's Story(255) show art A Microtia Atresia Diagnosis: Hearing Aids, Surgery and a Journey of Hope [REPOST] - Kim's Story(255)

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

  “You make the best decision for yourself and your family—and you stick with it.”- Kim Pena What happens when you’re handed unexpected news at your child’s birth—and there’s no clear roadmap ahead? In this reposted episode, educator and mom Kim Pena shares her powerful journey as the parent of a child born with Microtia Atresia, a rare congenital condition affecting the ear. Kim was one of Katie’s very first guests on the Child Life On Call podcast, and her story is still a listener favorite to this day. In this repost, Katie kicks off the episode by giving us a quick...

info_outline
Blended Tube Feeding for G-tube fed Kids & Adults: How a dietician empowers families through food - Hilarie’s Story (254) show art Blended Tube Feeding for G-tube fed Kids & Adults: How a dietician empowers families through food - Hilarie’s Story (254)

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

What if blending real food could transform your child’s tube feeding experience—and your entire family’s daily routine? In this inspiring episode, registered dietitian and new mom Hilarie shares how her career in pediatric nutrition led her to create , a platform and supportive community designed to help families explore real food options for children with feeding tubes. Hilarie and Katie have an insightful conversation about doing what works best for your family and how it is not an all-or-nothing approach when it comes to tube feeding. From clinical frustrations to practical...

info_outline
Prader-Willi Syndrome, Motherhood & Finding Community Through Advocacy [REPOST] (253)- Jessica's Story show art Prader-Willi Syndrome, Motherhood & Finding Community Through Advocacy [REPOST] (253)- Jessica's Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

📢 This is a special repost of one of our most heartfelt and insightful episodes. Whether this is your first time hearing Jessica’s story or a revisit, her perspective as a mom of a child with Prader-Willi Syndrome will stick with you. This month is also Prader- Willi Syndrome awareness month. What happens when a diagnosis changes everything you expected about motherhood? For Jessica Patay, it sparked a journey through fear, resilience, advocacy, and ultimately, the founding of an incredible nonprofit called We Are Brave Together. In this deeply moving episode, Jessica opens up about:...

info_outline
Two Sisters with Cystic Fibrosis - Laura's Story (252) show art Two Sisters with Cystic Fibrosis - Laura's Story (252)

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

What would you do if both of your children were diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic disease—and there was no support system in place for parents like you? In this inspiring episode, Katie interviews Laura Bonnell, a former Detroit news reporter turned full-time advocate and nonprofit founder. After both of her daughters were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), Laura transformed her grief and determination into the Bonnell Foundation, providing real-time support to families across the U.S. who are navigating life with CF. In this powerful episode, we explore: ✅ How Laura pushed for...

info_outline
A Nurse Practitioner’s Story of Grief, Strength & Advocacy [REPOST] (251)- Ashley's Story show art A Nurse Practitioner’s Story of Grief, Strength & Advocacy [REPOST] (251)- Ashley's Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

📢 This is a special repost of one of our most impactful and heartfelt episodes. Whether you’re hearing Ashley O’Neill’s story for the first time or revisiting it, her journey continues to resonate deeply with NICU families, pediatric providers, and anyone who has faced unimaginable loss and found strength in the aftermath. What happens when your personal and professional worlds collide in the NICU? For family nurse practitioner Ashley O’Neill, the journey into motherhood brought profound loss, relentless medical advocacy, and ultimately, a passion for helping others. Ashley’s...

info_outline
A Rare Diagnosis Journey: Collagenous Gastritis and IGG deficiency (250)- Alexis' Story show art A Rare Diagnosis Journey: Collagenous Gastritis and IGG deficiency (250)- Alexis' Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

What if every milestone your child was supposed to reach came with countless curve balls? For Alexis Kaplan, motherhood quickly turned into a journey of advocacy, strength, and unwavering love as she navigated her daughter Gabby’s complex and rare health conditions. In this moving episode, Alexis shares:  ✅ The moment her newborn was rushed to the NICU with a collapsed lung  ✅ How her daughter’s recurring infections led to a diagnosis of immunodeficiency and collagenous gastritis ✅ The emotional toll—and strength—of being the medical historian and advocate for a...

info_outline
How to Talk With Children About Child Abuse [REPOST] (249)- Jane's Story show art How to Talk With Children About Child Abuse [REPOST] (249)- Jane's Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

Knowing how to talk to kids about child abuse can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this impactful episode of Child Life On Call, host Katie Taylor interviews child abuse prevention advocate Jane Donovan—who also happens to be her mom. Jane shares her personal journey, sparked by a tragic event, that led to a decades-long mission to protect children and educate communities. From creating a long-running puppet program for abuse prevention to empowering kids with body safety tools, this conversation is full of actionable advice for parents, caregivers, educators, and child...

info_outline
MERRF Syndrome and Motherhood: Raising and Remembering Dahlia - Jessica’s Story (248) show art MERRF Syndrome and Motherhood: Raising and Remembering Dahlia - Jessica’s Story (248)

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

"We followed Dahlia’s lead—and Dahlia was not going to let this stop her.” — Jessica Fein What happens when your child’s diagnosis is so rare that no one—including your doctors—knows how to help? For Jessica Fein, navigating life with her daughter Dahlia’s MERRF Syndrome meant redefining motherhood, finding joy in unexpected places, and transforming grief into connection and advocacy. In this honest and deeply moving episode, we explore: ✅ What it’s like to go on a diagnostic odyssey, and finally get answers that bring more questions ✅ The complexity of parenting a child...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Katie, Certified Child Life Specialist talks with Jessica Patay, Founder and Executive Director of We Are Brave Together.

Her own story as a mom of a child with special needs began in 2003 when her second son, Ryan, was born and diagnosed with a rare, genetic disorder, called Prader-Willi syndrome. Within two days of receiving this diagnosis, she received a phone call from a mentor mom from the Prader-Willi California Foundation.  Immediately she felt relief and comfort knowing she was NOT ALONE. 

In this episode, we talk about:

  1. How hearing from medical staff, “I’ve never heard of this before” is NOT helpful
  2. What Jessica wished she would have known 18 years ago about where she is today
  3. How community has shaped her ability to cope and thrive

Learn more about Jessica’s organization and make sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook. 

Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here.

Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here.

Child Life On Call | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter