Navigating Grief and Healing with Normal Broken Author Kelly Cervantes
Release Date: 12/13/2023
Spring Cleaning - Letting Go of Things that No Longer Serve Us
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RARE MAMAS RISING- EPISODE 48 Spring Cleaning: Letting Go of Things That No Longer Serve Us with Rare Mama Nikki McIntosh In this uplifting episode of Rare Mamas Rising, Nikki invites you to embrace spring’s renewal by letting go of what no longer serves you—draining digital habits, old stress loops, unhelpful routines, and even relationships or thoughts that weigh you down. With personal insights and actionable steps, she guides Rare Mamas through clearing the clutter—mental, emotional, and physical—to make space for peace and strength. Tune in to discover how...
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EP 47 - Tackling Therapy Burnout
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RARE MAMAS RISING- EPISODE 46 Sharing Our Stories to Create Change In this special Rare Disease Day episode of Rare Mamas Rising, host Nikki McIntosh explores the power of storytelling in the rare disease community. She shares why speaking up—whether through advocacy, education, or personal connection—can drive awareness, inspire action, and create lasting change. From helping newly diagnosed families feel less alone to influencing policies that improve care, our voices matter more than ever. Tune in to be encouraged, empowered, and reminded that together,...
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Building Endurance in the New Year
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RARE MAMAS RISING- EPISODE 45 Building Endurance for the New Year In this episode of Rare Mamas Rising, we’re diving into strategies behind building endurance for the year ahead. From balancing effort with recovery and planning for moments of rejuvenation, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you avoid burnout and sustain your energy. We explore how to align your actions with your capacity, the importance of creating a rhythm of effort and restoration, and why saying no is essential. As you consider your goals and plans for the new year, this episode is your...
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Holidaying Your Way
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RARE MAMAS RISING- EPISODE 44 Holidaying Your Way with Rare Mama Nikki McIntosh The holiday season can feel overwhelming for families raising children with rare diseases, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we explore how to create meaningful traditions and plans that work for your unique family. From letting go of guilt and unrealistic expectations to finding simple, joyful ways to connect, this episode is packed with practical tips and ideas for savoring the season. Discover how to balance your family’s needs with holiday festivities, prioritize what truly matters,...
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Growing Our Gratitude
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RARE MAMAS RISING- EPISODE 43 Growing Our Gratitude with Rare Mama Nikki McIntosh This Thanksgiving, join us to explore the powerful impact gratitude can have on our rare journeys. We’ll dive into how simple acts of thanks can elevate our spirits, strengthen our health, and deepen our relationships with the incredible providers who support us every day. We’ll uncover the science behind gratitude’s high-vibrational energy and share practical ways to honor the people who make a difference in our lives. Tune in to celebrate the strength of our community and discover how we...
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Adapting Halloween Traditions
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RARE MAMAS RISING- EPISODE 42 In this special Halloween episode of Rare Mamas Rising, we explore how to make Halloween fun, inclusive, and accessible for children with rare diseases. Nikki shares personal stories and practical tips, including creative trick-or-treating alternatives, sensory-friendly activities, and adaptive costume ideas. Whether your child uses a wheelchair, has sensory sensitivities, or faces other challenges, this episode offers ideas to help you celebrate the spooky season in a way that works for your family. Join us for insights, new traditions, and a little Halloween...
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Loving With Every Breath with Breath Taking Author Jessica Fein
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Preparing for a Planned Hospital Stay
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Blazing Trails to Cure and Care with The Charlotte and Gwenyth Gray Foundation to Cure Batten Disease with Founder Kristen Gray
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RARE MAMAS RISING- EPISODE 39 Blazing Trails to Cure and Care with The Charlotte and Gwenyth Gray Foundation to Cure Batten Disease Founder Kristen Gray Kristen Gray is an extraordinary mom of four incredible children: Charlotte, Gwenyth, Callan, and Gavin. From the moment her eldest two, Charlotte and Gwenyth, were diagnosed with Batten Disease, she embarked on a courageous journey blazing trails in rare disease advocacy. She founded The Charlotte & Gwenyth Gray Foundation to Cure Batten Disease and established The Gray Academy, a beacon of hope and education for children...
info_outlineRARE MAMAS RISING- EPISODE 34
Navigating Grief and Healing with Normal Broken Author Kelly Cervantes
Kelly Cervantes is the author of Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When it's Time to Heal But You're Not Sure You Want To. Kelly is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate best known for her blog Inchstones, where she shared the stress, love, and joy that came with parenting her medically complex daughter, Adelaide. Since Adelaide's passing, Kelly has continued to write candidly about her arduous and, at times, contradictory grief journey. She has been published in the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Cosmopolitan, as well as quoted in the New York Times, CNN, and People. She is the current board chair for the nonprofit CURE Epilepsy and also hosts their biweekly podcast, Seizing Life, where she interviews scientists, doctors, and individuals affected by epilepsy. Kelly resides in Maplewood, NJ, with her husband, Miguel Cervantes currently starring in Hamilton on Broadway, their children, and their dogs. In this episode, Kelly holds our hands and compassionately guides us through grief and healing, allowing us to feel normal broken together.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- Background about Kelly and her family
- The journey to writing Normal Broken, and the impact of writing through pain
- Navigating anticipatory grief while parenting a medically complex child
- Managing comparative and competitive grief
- What to do when you're struggling to feel gratitude
- Communicating your needs to your partner and understanding your partner's needs when they are different than your own
- Taking steps to find and build a community
- Kelly's learnings and advice for other rare mamas
LINKS
Normal Broken
Kelly Cervantes
Cure Epilepsy
CONNECT WITH NIKKI