Open Hearts, Open Mind, & Open Home - Amanda Sharp, Foster and Adoptive Mom Shares Her Family's Story of Growth
Release Date: 05/10/2023
Weylon the Warrior: A Mother’s Journey Through Adoption, Advocacy, and Hope
Adjusting the Sails
When Gennifer and her husband got a late-night call about an unexpected baby, they had no idea it would lead them to a life filled with challenges, resilience, and unconditional love. In this heartfelt episode, Gennifer shares the powerful story of adopting her son Weylon, born with a brain injury and complex medical needs. From navigating seizures and hospital stays to building a strong family bond and advocating fiercely for his care, Gennifer opens up about the realities of raising a child with disabilities, while balancing a large, blended family. Her journey is one of perseverance,...
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The Weight of Grief: Life After Hadleigh - Samantha Coyne
Adjusting the Sails
**Content warning: episode discusses child loss.** In this powerful episode, Samantha Coyne—WVU Law student, LEND trainee, and devoted mother—shares the story of her daughter Hadleigh, whose life and unexpected passing reshaped Samantha’s entire sense of identity and purpose. From a complicated pregnancy and a rare diagnosis of Noonan syndrome to joyful moments of motherhood and exhausting advocacy, Samantha takes us on a journey of love, loss and resilience. She opens up about the isolation, medical challenges and systemic gaps that families of children with disabilities often...
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When the Pilot Is Mom: Steering Through Crisis and Care with Brandi Williamson, Parent Network Specialist
Adjusting the Sails
Brandi Williamson, a Parent Network Specialist (PNS) with the WVU CED and mother of four, shares her powerful journey after learning at 23-weeks pregnant that her daughter had spina bifida. What began as a routine ultrasound quickly turned into a life-altering diagnosis, an emergency delivery at 25 weeks, and a crash course in neonatal intensive care. In this episode, Brandi opens up about the emotional and medical turbulence she and her daughter faced, and how she stepped into the role of pilot – navigating uncertainty and advocating fiercely for her daughter’s care. Now a professional...
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A Mother's Intuition - Alyssa Flowers, Parent Network Specialist
Adjusting the Sails
CED's Parent Network Specialist (PNS), Alyssa Flowers, is newer on her Autism mom journey with her daughter, Isabella. From infancy, Alyssa felt that something was different about her daughter, but being a new parent, she was led to believe that her intuition was only first time parent anxieties and uncertainty. Five years later, Alyssa's concerns are finally validated and she can seek the support and services her daughter needs and deserves. Parents always know their child best, and a mother should always trust her intuition. Sponsored by the West Virginia...
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"A Warrior's Mentality"- Harry Psaros, Autism Dad and Author
Adjusting the Sails
Harry Psaros discusses his "dAdication" to helping his son with Autism succeed. Who started as a child with significant deficits, limited communication skills, and an uncertain future, Harry took on a "warrior's mentality" and educated himself and his family about how to best serve and raise his son. He sought new therapies and methodologies to help his son better integrate to his environment and improve his communication. Years later, Harry's son is a soon to be college graduate with a bright future. Still navigating life with Autism, but has grown far from the child he was. Harry writes...
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Climbing the Mountain without a Guide - Dr. Norrine Russell, Mom to Two Complex Teens and Founder of Russell Coaching
Adjusting the Sails
"It feels that you're climbing a mountain, without a guide or a backpack...and some days the sun isn't even shining". - Dr. Norrine Russell discusses her feelings and challenges early on as she navigated life with her two complex children. A lack of support and resources around her led to her founding a local support group in the Tampa Bay area and then to Russell Coaching, for children and young adults with ADHD, Autism, Learning Differences, Anxiety, and Giftedness. For more information about . Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources,...
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"Where Truett Begins and The Autism Ends" - Courtney Ringstaff, Social Worker and Host of Adjusting The Sails
Adjusting the Sails
Did you know that your Adjusting the Sails Host is also a parent to a child with Autism? She hasn't always looked at her life as a story to benefit other parents. Though she truly believes sharing experiences and being heard and validated in one's parenthood journey is healing for parents of children with special needs, it hasn't always been easy to see herself or story through the same lens as the families she works with every day. Many thanks to the listener that reached out and requested a "get to know you" type of episode. Please enjoy and remember, together, we can adjust the sails. ...
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Connection, Community, and Compassion - Bonnie Shannon, Parent Network Specialist
Adjusting the Sails
"As long as you have connections and a little bit of support from someone, somewhere you can find that [positivity in your situation] and that's what I try to do with the families that I work with." Bonnie navigated life as a mother to her son with Cerebral Palsy mostly on her own until she found a supportive network of other parents to children with complex medical needs. Her journey as mom to Tony taught her so much about herself and what difference she was meant to make in the world that it lead her to her career as a Parent Network Specialist (PNS) so she can help others on similar...
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Supporting Other Parents, A Passion Worth Pursuing - Whitney Price, Founder of UnPuzzled Parents Connect Support Group
Adjusting the Sails
When a child is diagnosed with a neurological difference, disability, or medical complexity, emotional support is the first thing a parent needs according to UnPuzzed Parents Connect Support Group founder, Whitney Price. "The story you thought you were going to have is now being told in a completely different language" is how Whitney and her husband felt when their son, Connor, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Finding herself isolated, misunderstood, and unsure about the future, she and her husband were desparate for a support network and for resources for their son and their new...
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Walking in Sib Shoes - Allie Saweikis, Sister and Disability Advocate
Adjusting the Sails
Allie tells her experience as a sibling to her brother who has Autism. She shares early years of watching her mom navigate the system for her brother, how she was involved as a child, and how that involvement led to her future career choice and the person she has grown up to be. Also, we will introduce Sibshops and hear from Allie her opinion on the effectiveness of a supportive network for other siblings. Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Maternal, Child, and Family Health/Children with Special Health Care Needs...
info_outline"It's totally worth it", Amanda says when asked about the heartbreaking realities of fostering and adopting children with special needs and medical complexities. Amanda and Justin Sharp experienced many losses during their journey to parenthood, but the family they created, the sibling bond between their children, and the community in which they surround themselves makes it all worth it. The second addition to our foster care awareness special series, Amanda answers the questions that are tough to ask about opening her home to fostering children with disabilities. How did she and her husband have faith in themselves and their agency to accept any call they would receive? How did they have the courage to reopen their doors after suffering the worst imaginable tragedy? What advice does she have for other families who might consider fostering a child with special needs?
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Learn about foster care and fostering children with disabilities:
Specialized Family Care
Children's Home Society of West Virginia
Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Maternal, Child, and Family Health/Children with Special Health Care Needs Program and the West Virginia Family 2 Family Health Information Center and Produced by the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities.
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