"We are the experts on our daughter and we deserve a say, and we deserve to be given the time to ask questions." – Nikki DeLeo

 We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website. 

 

In this heartfelt episode, host and Certified Child Life Specialist Katie Taylor speaks with Nikki DeLeo, a mother of Taylor, her daughter who has Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Katie and Nikki discuss Nikki’s journey navigating her daughter Taylor's diagnosis from day one, the emotional rollercoaster of becoming a medical parent, her advocacy for Taylor's care, and the importance of equity in newborn screenings for CF. With Taylor's unique case, Nikki discusses the challenges and triumphs of managing a life-changing diagnosis, emphasizing the role of medical teams and community support in fostering resilience and hope.

 

Key Insights:

The Importance of Early Diagnosis: Nikki emphasizes how critical early diagnosis was for her daughter Taylor, who started life-saving medication within months of her birth.

Advocacy and Education: Nikki shares how she became an expert in her daughter’s care, highlighting the necessity of parents being active members of the care team.

Equity in Healthcare: Nikki passionately discusses the disparities in newborn screenings for children of color and the need for equity in medical care to prevent delayed diagnoses.

The Power of Community: Finding other parents online and connecting with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation were vital for Nikki in navigating the challenges of CF.

 

"Finding other parents online who are going through the same thing has been a lifeline for me." – Nikki DeLeo

 

Resources & Tips:

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Visit the CF Foundation to find local chapters and resources for parents and caregivers.

Book Recommendation: Breath from Salt - An insightful book about the CF community and the advancements in CF care.

Follow Nikki's Journey: Check out Nikki’s Instagram page, @salt_for_sweet_t, for more on her family’s journey.

 

When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels!

Links and Resources:

• SupportSpot Website
• Download SupportSpot iOS or Android

• 85% of users report high satisfaction, appreciating the Child Life On Call App’s comprehensive resources and user-friendly interface.
• 92% of parent users say the Child Life On Call App helped them understand medical procedures and treatment better.
• 80% of parents believe the Child Life On Call App has contributed to better health outcomes for their child.
• 73% of parent users believe the Child Life On Call App has made them feel more empowered to advocate for their child in healthcare

Learn more here.

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.

Instagram.com/childlifeoncall

Facebook.com/childlifeoncall

linkedin.com/in/kfdonovan