Episode 88: Using TikTok to Normalize Family Life ft. Allison Sullivan
Release Date: 10/11/2023
NICU Babies Parent Support
Have you ever been told that suffering from pelvic floor leakage, pain or fear is all just “part of parenthood?” Pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Rebecca Maidansky shares how to avoid doing the wrong thing by doing the right one. She will share how to manage your pelvic health with information, exercise and questions to ask your provider so you can take control of your body. 💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: | | 💚 Connect with the guest, Dr. Rebecca Maidansky: | | | 📺Socials...
info_outline S6 E100: Real or Filtered? Sharing Your NICU Story on Social Media ft. Scott & Kathryn WhitakerNICU Babies Parent Support
You’re living your hardest days in the NICU, so you turn to social media for support, encouragement, solidarity and community. Can you share too much? When does your story become their story? Veteran NICU parents and active social media users Scott & Kathryn Whitaker share some tips for sharing your NICU baby’s journey on social media, setting healthy boundaries and inviting people into your suffering. 💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: | | 💚 Connect with the guest, Scott Whitaker: | 📺Socials 📺 ...
info_outline S6 E99: This One's For the Dads ft. Will HayNICU Babies Parent Support
To every dad who has endured a NICU stay with his son or daughter, we see you. NICU dad Will Hay shares his hardest day, the thing that gave him hope and how he took his fear and turned it into a beautiful resource for other parents. Dads, this one’s for you. 💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: | | 💚 Connect with the guest, Will Hay: 🔗Links to resources: Book, 📺Socials 📺 | | | Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: License (CC BY 4.0): ...
info_outline S6 E98: Should I Pay That Medical Bill? ft. Marshall AllenNICU Babies Parent Support
Never pay the first bill, at least that’s what podcast guest and medical investigative journalist Marshall Allen advises. At some point, every NICU family has to deal with an insurance company, government agency, medical billing office or all three. Learn how to speak a language that billing offices understand, advocate for your rights and save yourself money, headaches and long hours on hold with medical stakeholders. 💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: | | 💚 Connect with the guest, Marshall Allen: | | ...
info_outline S6 E97: What You Need to Know About Medical Billing & Insurance ft. Kelley ColemanNICU Babies Parent Support
Paying the medical bills and determining insurance coverage can almost be as stressful as caring for your NICU baby (and sometimes more so). Kelley Coleman - author, disability advocate and mom of a medically complex child - shares questions to ask, provides an overview of programs and shares advice from both her lived experience, as well as insurance and medical billing experts. 💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: | | 💚 Connect with the guest, Kelley Coleman: | | 🔗 Links to resources: Book, Department...
info_outline S6 E96: Advocating for Paid Parental Leave in your Workplace ft. Sherenne SimonNICU Babies Parent Support
Does your employer offer paid parental leave or are you struggling to find a game plan for how to care for your baby after NICU discharge while tending to your job responsibilities? Sherenne Simon, social impact expert, shares how she influenced major policy change in her workplace to accommodate NICU parents. Her book, Own Your Influence: An Unconventional Journey to Making an Impact at Work, hits shelves in November and can show you how to capitalize on your own power of influence to enact positive change. 💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: | | ...
info_outline S6 E95: Postpartum Depression & Anxiety, One Mom’s Story ft. Britt MorenoNICU Babies Parent Support
Sometimes we are called to share our stories, in a big way. Emmy-award winning journalist Britt Moreno experienced postpartum complications following the birth of her second child. Instead of quietly working through them, she chose to use her platform as an NBC affiliate news anchor to amplify the crisis of postpartum depression and anxiety in the hopes of helping other women through her interviews and in-depth investigations. 💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: | | 💚 Connect with the guest, Britt Moreno: | | 🔗...
info_outline S6 E94: Do I Have Postpartum Depression or Anxiety? ft. Dr. Nicole Calloway RankinsNICU Babies Parent Support
Are you worried you might be suffering from postpartum depression or anxiety? Whether it’s been days, weeks or months since the birth of your baby, board-certified OB/Gyn Dr. Nicole Rankins shares what PPD and PPA are, common symptoms, treatment options and where to seek help. 💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: | | 💚 Connect with the guest, Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins: | | | 🔗 Links to resources: 📺Socials 📺 | | | ...
info_outline S6 E93: Season 6, Life after a NICU admission ft. Kathryn WhitakerNICU Babies Parent Support
You’ve been admitted to the NICU or you’re in the thick of raising a NICU baby and you look around and might wonder how this is your life and what’s next - for your baby, your family and your life. THIS is the season that will serve you during your NICU admission and long after your discharge. In season 6 - life after a NICU admission - we tackle postpartum depression and anxiety, paid parental leave, medical billing/insurance, a dad's perspective, pelvic floor physical therapy, sex and intimacy, exercise/nutrition and sharing your story on social media. 💚 Connect with the...
info_outline NICU Babies, Parent Support Podcast TrailerNICU Babies Parent Support
info_outlineAs we continue to share stories In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, mom of 5 (including a son with DS) Allison Sullivan shares how she uses TikTok to normalize family life. And, with more than 1.2M followers, we say she might be onto something.
In this episode, we chat about:
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Tell us a little about your family.
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When and why did you decide to launch a TikTok account?
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What’s your primary content on your account?
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One of your children has Down Syndrome. Did you ever worry that sharing about him on your social media accounts might elicit negative reactions?
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Best part about having a child with DS? Most challenging?
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During Down Syndrome Awareness Month, what do you want another DS mom to know?
Allison Sullivan is married to Seth and a mom of five. She believes in playing her part in the renewal and transformation of communities through walking humbly, acting justly and loving mercy. She is a writer and podcaster, loves good hospitality and meaningful service and is active in social justice causes to cultivate love and hope. Allison is a trauma-informed yoga instructor. For fun, she enjoys creating wholesome content through a family lens for over 1.2 million TikTok fans, long road trips with her family, girls’ nights out with her friends, thrifting, reading, and spending time at the beach. To relax, Allison watches Modern Family on the couch with her dogs.
Connect with Allison:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sullivanfamilytiktok
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonmsully
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/allisonsullivan
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sinner-saint-sister/id1234435619
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license