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, community support, and redefining what’s possible when love leads the way.

Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of  Human Services, 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. 

Episode Transcript Here

If you have a story that you would like shared on the podcast, please send us an email at [email protected]

**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 face. Her reflections resonate with any caregiver whose world revolves around their child, especially when that world is shattered. This conversation is a raw and honest look at what comes next when the child you lived for is suddenly gone.

Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of  Human Services, 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. 

Episode Transcript Here

If you have a story that you would like shared on the podcast, please send us an email at [email protected]

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 supporting other families, Brandi reflects on how this journey shaped both her life and her purpose.

Connect with Brandi and our team of other PNSes. 

Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of  Human Services, 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. 

Episode Transcript Here

If you have a story that you would like shared on the podcast, please send us an email at [email protected]

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. 

Connect with Alyssa and our team of other PNSes. 

Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of  Human Services, 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. 

Episode Transcript Here

If you have a story that you would like shared on the podcast, please send us an email at [email protected]

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 about his experiences as an Autism dad and gives other dads the knowledge and resources that helped his family along the way in his book, From Struggle to Strength a Father's Journey with Autism and the Power of Hope and Positivity. 

Opinions shared by the guests of the show are their own and do not necessarily represent the official views of the hosts, the Department of Human Services Office of Maternal Child and Family Health/Children with Special Health Care Needs Program, the West Virginia Family 2 Family Health Information Center, nor the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities. 

More information about Harry Psaro's book, Struggle to Strength a Father's Journey with Autism and the Power of Hope and Positivity. 

Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of  Human Services, 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.

Episode Transcript Here

 "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 Russell Coaching. 

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.

Episode Transcript Here

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. 

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.

Episode Transcript Here

"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 journeys. 

Connect with Bonnie and our team of other PNSes. 

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.

Episode Transcript Here

If you have a story that you would like shared on the podcast, please send us an email at [email protected]

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 life. 

Listen in to hear about Whitney's journey and how through adversity she found a passion for helping others access services and for growing a support network for other parents navigating parenthood with a child with high support needs. 

UnPuzzled Parents Connect Support Group

Check out our CED Paths for Parents and Family to Family Parent Network Specialist led support group, Circle of Parents. 

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.

Episode Transcript Here

If you have a story that you would like shared on the podcast, please send us an email at [email protected]

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. 

Learn more about Sibshops at the CED. 

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.

Episode Transcript Here

If you have a story that you would like shared on the podcast, please send us an email at [email protected]