Confessions of a Special Needs Parent Podcast

10/09/2021

New episode out!! Listen now on Spotify or at anchor.fm/csnp. In this episode, we talk to Jessica, mom to 10-year-old Caleb who was born with Pierre Robin Sequence, or PRS for short. PRS is a condition with several clinical features: a small lower jaw (micrognathia), displacement of the tongue toward the back of the oral cavity (glossoptosis) and, often but not always, an opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate). Jessica had to fight for the diagnosis because the doctors did not believe Caleb fit the criteria. She explains why it's so important to be a voice and advocate for our children.

07/09/2021

Well, "a few extra days" turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. We're so glad the months didn't turn into years! Now the long wait is finally over! The next episode is dropping this Thursday, September 9th! Mark your calendars, and we'll see you then!

18/02/2021

I REALLY hate to do this, but there is a good reason for it, and I just hope you can all understand and give me a little grace and forgiveness. I'm going to miss my deadline with the next episode release date. I was hoping to put the finishing touches on the episode and release it today, but I'm going to need to push it out a few more days.

I started a new medication last week for my anxiety, and it was supposed to also help with my sleep onset insomnia. Well, it did! And I was feeling great! I've actually been getting the best sleep I've had in at LEAST the past 2 years! Until last night...

Last night I was lying in bed, winding down for the night and about ready to go sleep for the night, when my heart rate just started racing! My fitbit said it was 140 bpm, but at the same time I felt like I falling asleep and/or blacking out. Suddenly, my head flopped over to my left and I had no control over it. My hands came up to my chest and I started convulsing. I still was completely aware of what was happening and was able to control one of my arms enough to smack my husband several times and call his name. He could ask me questions and, with lots of effort, I could answer.

So yeah, I had my very first seizure last night and can totally relate to what Grayson goes through. I believe that I was given that experience and able to remember it so that I could empathize with my son. It was very scary, but I now know how very important it is to talk him through it and let him know that he's okay and that we're right there with him.

I'm sorry! Just give me a few extra days and I promise it'll be worth the wait! To make up for the fact that you're not getting an episode today, here's a picture of Grayson with his Papa (my dad). ❤️

12/02/2021

Episode 4 coming at you next Thursday, February 18th! We're chatting with Jessica about her son Caleb with Pierre Robin Sequence. You won't want to miss it!

31/12/2020

Episode 3 with part 2 of my interview with Liana is out now!
In this episode, we go deeper into mental health and discuss those dark, ugly, and scary thoughts that we all seem to have. We also discuss the ongoing grieving process that you can’t seem to escape as a special needs parent and Liana shares her confessions.
Go take a listen now! 👉 Spotify, Google Podcasts, and anchor.fm/csnp
Please help us grow by sharing! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

(Spotify link below for easy sharing)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wVMt3EAjTyB2E6tWVcgC2?si=31syfd_FR-WRIfNLJXu_iQ

21/12/2020

Episode 2 out now - Listen on Spotify, Google Podcasts, and anchor.fm/csnp. And please help us grow by sharing! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Liana is the mother of Zoey, a 20-month-old with Feingold's syndrome. In this episode, we discuss how her life has changed since Zoey came along. We talk about some of the mental health struggles, and she shares some of her tips for surviving life as a special needs parent.
Follow their story here:

11/11/2020

I promise I haven't forgotten about the podcast! I've just run into some major setbacks. First it was these 2 kiddos getting sick, then I got it, and it turned into a sinus infection and an allergic reaction to an antibiotic, and I'm still dealing with congestion almost a month later (and now my daughter may be getting round 2). Grayson had a couple of looong seizures (one was around 20 minutes!!) and a trip to the ER. And now as I'm working through the editing process of episode 2, the audio is a mess! Without boring you with too many details, most of the time I sound like I'm on a cell phone and under water!! 😳 The person I'm interviewing sounds great, though, so at least there's that! I'm working hard to get through all the obstacles, and will get you the next episode as soon as I can work through the kinks and feel good with the finished product. I don't want to put out a substandard podcast, so hopefully I can get it all worked out and out soon! 🤞

01/10/2020

Episode 1 is out now! Josh had been a special needs parent for a year and a half. He discusses how his life has changed since Grayson's birth, and shares how his mental health, spirituality, and other areas of his life have been affected.

See more about Grayson at Our Life Upside Down
Listen now on Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Anchor! (link in bio)
And please help us grow by sharing ! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Episode 1 available here - https://anchor.fm/csnp/episodes/Josh-and-Grayson-ejcg85
or on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5m4mDwvMTDheJIsbkHsMOn?si=2o_waf2ES7GcYHqw9kUu4w

21/09/2020

The trailer is up! Give it a listen! 💙💛💜

https://anchor.fm/csnp

A podcast about surviving the rough waters of special-needs parenting.

16/09/2020

Editing... Editing. The first episode launches in just 2 weeks. I can't wait!