213: Parents, CCLS, Students: Show Up Exactly As You Are
Release Date: 04/03/2024
When Your Baby is Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes: Marlee's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
“My baby went from fussy to lifeless in hours—by the time we reached the PICU, they said he might have had six hours to live.” In this episode, TikTok Influencer and Medical Mom , a pediatric speech-language pathologist turned full-time mom, shares the whirlwind diagnosis of her 12-month-old son Bain with Type 1 diabetes and severe DKA, the traumatic hospital stay, and the everyday advocacy that followed. Raw, practical, and deeply hopeful. Why this episode matters Emotional clarity: what a Type 1 diagnosis really feels like in infancy Practical advocacy: scripts, choices, and...
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Surgery for Pediatric Drug-Resistant Epilepsy and Infantile Spasms (278) - Audrey's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
Join us for an incredibly candid and informative conversation with Audrey Vernick, a passionate advocate and the Director of Patient and Family Advocacy for the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance. Audrey shares the powerful 21-year journey of her son, Bennett, who suffered a stroke in utero and was later diagnosed with the catastrophic epilepsy known as Infantile Spasms. Audrey recounts the emotional process from the difficult labor and early concerns dismissed as normal reflexes, to the terrifying moment she saw his MRI and realized half of his brain was black due to a massive stroke. This...
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A Speech Language Pathologist's Tips to Helping Your Child Thrive (277)-Luba's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
"The excitement that the kids feel when they are seeing you... and they know today's session with Ms. Luba and they can't wait to see you." - Luba Kaplan When a child enters the medical system, parents often meet many specialists beyond doctors and nurses, including Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP). These professionals are vital members of the healthcare team, doing more than just helping with speech. SLPs, as Luba Kaplan explains, also explains how they look at every area of the child's development to ensure children are being fully supported. In this episode, we introduce Luba Kaplan, a...
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From Early Diagnosis to the Power of Community and Humor in Type 1 Diabetes (276)- Stacey's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
When Stacey’s toddler was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, her family’s world turned upside down. In this episode, she shares the early warning signs, the struggle of those first two weeks of injections, and how humor and community turned fear into resilience. Parents will gain hope, advocacy tips, and coping strategies for managing a chronic illness diagnosis. What You’ll Hear How Stacey recognized the 4 Ts of diabetes: Thirsty, Tired, Thinner, Toilet The reality of hospitalization, finger sticks, and injections with a toddler Coping strategies: medical play, humor, and...
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NICU, Down syndrome and Infant Loss: A Grief Story and Children's Book( 275) - Teejay + Jon's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
In this incredibly personal and moving episode, we sit down with Teejay and Jon, the authors of the gentle children's book , to share the full, raw story of their daughter, Nadiya. Their journey began with an unexpected connection—a transatlantic online romance between Teejay in Australia and Jon in Canada—that quickly turned into a marriage grounded in a shared life and purpose. With Teejay's extensive background in early childhood development and their experience fostering a young man with Down syndrome, they felt prepared when Nadiya was diagnosed with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) early...
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US News Children's Hospital Rankings 2025: Why the BEST Outcomes Demand the Human Touch (with Ben Harder)
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
Is the "best" hospital just about technology and surgical success? Ben Harder, the journalist who oversees the methodology and data for the U.S. News Best Children's Hospitals Rankings (2025), joins Katie to break down what truly defines quality in pediatric care. Ben shares his deeply personal family story—a tragedy 50 years in the past that drives his commitment to making data-driven information accessible today. This episode is a crucial guide for parents, explaining the three core pillars of the rankings: structure/resources, processes of care, and patient outcomes. We dive into why...
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A Heart Transplant Survivor Helps Her Son Face His Own: Danon’s Disease (273) – Brittany's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
Psychologist and heart-transplant recipient Dr. Brittany Clayborne shares how her own medical journey prepared her to guide her son Micah through sudden heart failure, an LVAD, and a life-saving transplant. She unpacks the family’s rare Danon’s disease diagnosis, post-transplant cancer (PTLD), and the everyday realities after transplant—meds, setbacks, and hope. You’ll learn Dr. Brittany’s BRAVE framework for hard moments, how rituals sustain connection during long hospital stays, and how Micah turned his experience into action with Transplant Teens and My Brave Journal. This...
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How a Bone Marrow Transplant Cured her daugther’s Sickle Cell Anemia (272)-Maite's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
In this episode of Child Life On Call, guest Maite Rodriguez shares her daughter Alessia’s inspiring journey with sickle cell disease (SCD)—from diagnosis at birth and painful crises to finding a cure through a pediatric bone marrow transplant at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Maite discusses the challenges of long-term treatments like hydroxyurea, the emotional toll of hospitalizations, and her family’s decision to pursue IVF to create a genetic match. She also introduces her bilingual children’s book, , which helps families explain sickle cell to children, siblings, and communities....
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How One Mom Navigated her daughter’s Severe Food Allergies (271)- Susanna's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
From “colic” that never eased to four pages of confirmed allergens, Susanna Peace Lovell recounts the first years of parenting her daughter, Arizona—years marked by nonstop crying, full-body eczema, and relentless advocacy. When a hypoallergenic formula finally brought relief around 18–19 months, Susanna could breathe—and begin reframing motherhood with compassion for her child and herself. She shares practical allergy survival tips (from table toppers to EpiPens), how autism diagnosis informed self-advocacy, and why community through We Are Brave Together mattered. This conversation...
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Empowering Parents Through Play-Based Physical Therapy (270)- Allison's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
In this episode, Dr. Allison Mell—pediatric PT and founder of Tots on Target—breaks down how therapy for kids doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. She shares real talk about what progress actually looks like, why play is so powerful, and how parents can weave therapy into everyday life without adding stress. From NICU graduates to toddlers finding their stride, Allison reminds us that tiny wins build up to big milestones. Her approachable, down-to-earth advice helps parents feel supported, capable, and ready to advocate for their child’s needs. Resources mentioned: Tots on Target...
info_outlineIn This Episode:
Katie Taylor goes off the beaten path in this special episode to share a profound moment of inspiration that struck her. This episode is a heartfelt message to child life specialists, students, and parents, emphasizing the importance of showing up as you are, without the burden of imposter syndrome.
Key Highlights:
- A Different Kind of Episode: Katie shares her spontaneous thoughts that came from a moment of inspiration, promising that the usual stories from the field and parental perspectives will return in future episodes.
- Message of Empowerment: The core message is about overcoming the misconception of imposter syndrome. It’s about recognizing that being in the room is an acknowledgment of one’s worth and contributions.
- Inspirational Source: Katie discusses insights gained from listening to Reshma Saujani, CEO of Girls Who Code, and her philosophy of bravery over perfection, which struck a chord with Katie in relation to the child life profession and parental involvement in healthcare.
- For Child Life Specialists: A call to recognize the value they bring to healthcare settings, emphasizing that healthcare teams are fortunate to have them participate.
- For Students: Encouragement to embrace their internships and opportunities without doubting their deservedness or capability.
- For Parents: An affirmation of the crucial role parents play when involved in their child’s care, emphasizing that their presence inherently improves the healthcare experience for their child.
Katie wraps up with a reminder of the importance of showing up authentically in every room you find yourself in, celebrating Child Life Month, and expressing gratitude to her listeners.
Resources and Next Steps:
- Visit Child Life On Call for resources tailored to parents, professionals, and healthcare providers.
- Explore opportunities for Child Life Specialists, including PDUs and support through the Child Life Circle.
- Parents can find a starter kit to navigate their child's healthcare journey.
- Healthcare professionals are invited to take a clinician course to enhance pediatric care skills.
Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or simply interested in learning more about child life, this podcast is for you.
Learn 6 Positions to Help Kids Feel Comfortable and Safe
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Meet the host:
Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.