Brave Together Parenting: a podcast for parenting disabilities and unique needs.

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's story episode, #197, in which we hear a story from brave mom and advocate, Abby Zachritz.
In this conversation, Abby Zachritz shares her harrowing journey following a near-fatal accident involving her son, Wyatt. The discussion covers the emotional and medical challenges faced by Abby and her family, the miraculous recovery of Wyatt, and the profound impact of the experience on their lives. Abby emphasizes the importance of resilience, support systems, and the unexpected beauty that can emerge from trauma. In this conversation, Abby Zachritz shares her journey of navigating mental health challenges, particularly PTSD, after her son Wyatt's traumatic brain injury. She emphasizes the importance of processing emotions and seeking help, both for herself and her family. Abby discusses Wyatt's remarkable progress and her transition into advocacy work, where she helps families find resources and support. The conversation highlights the significance of self-care, community support, and the need for parents to prioritize their well-being while caring for children with disabilities.

Find the Advocacy Abby Website here.
Follow Advocacy Abby on IG here.
Check out supportnow.org here.
Find Grants here.
Find this episode and ALL our Season 7 episodes on Youtube here.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.
JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.
Donate to keep this podcast going here.
Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?
Follow our Instagram Page @wearebravetogether or on Facebook.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! On this Thriving Disabled Adults episode, #196, we are speaking to Thriving Disabled Adult, Presbyterian minister and author, Caroline Cupp.

In this conversation, Caroline Cupp shares her experiences growing up with cerebral palsy, the support she received from her parents, and her journey through life as a disabled individual. She discusses the importance of belonging, her career as a Presbyterian minister, and her experiences with pregnancy and the medical field. Caroline also highlights her recent books that focus on disability representation in parenting and dating, offering valuable insights and advice for parents of children with disabilities.

Find Caroline Cupp’s upcoming books Datable and This is How We Play here.

Find the Dateability website here.

Find this episode and ALL our Season 7 episodes on Youtube here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys. 

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Donate to keep this podcast going here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?

Follow our Instagram Page @wearebravetogether or on Facebook.

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]

If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today’s BONUS episode in which Jessica Patay, founder of We Are Brave Together and author, Kelley Coleman, join forces to chat with Director of Culture Change at Caring Across Generations, Lydia Storie. 

In this conversation, Lydia Storie discusses her journey from the entertainment industry to becoming the Director of Culture Change at Caring Across Generations. She shares her personal experiences with caregiving, the fragility of care infrastructure, and the importance of cultural representation in media. The discussion emphasizes the need for community support, advocacy for policy changes, and the significance of sharing caregiving stories to validate experiences and foster a collective movement for better care solutions.

Thanks so much for listening!

Learn more about Lydia Storie and her work at Caring Across Generations here.

Find Kelley Coleman and her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find this episode and ALL our Season 7 episodes on Youtube here.

Thank you to our BIG, beautiful 5k sponsors!! Our TOP sponsors that we want to acknowledge and appreciate are: RISE Advocacy, GHJ Foundation, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, CMS Creative Management, Inc., the Patay Family and MRM Education Harbor Light Financial Strategies, and PPL. We are so grateful to these generous sponsors and so excited about our 5K, which will be accessible and truly a family friendly event! Learn more about our 5K here.

Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys. 

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Donate to keep this podcast going here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?

Follow our Instagram Page @wearebravetogether or on Facebook.

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]

If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ASK US ANYTHING! 

In this Ask Us Anything episode, #195, we are responding to the question, “Will you tell us about some really hard or embarrassing moments you’ve had as a parent?"

In this episode, Jessica Patay, Dr. Zoe Shaw, and Susanna Peace Lovell share their most mortifying parenting moments, exploring the challenges and realities of motherhood. They share personal stories of embarrassment, and reflect on the lessons learned from these experiences. The conversation is full of BIG LAUGHS and levity and emphasizes the understanding that all parents face difficult moments, reminding listeners that they are NOT alone in their struggles.

Keep the questions coming, we’re here to support you! We see you and we love you!

Whether you have questions as a parent to a child with complex medical or mental health needs or you’re someone looking to support a care-giving parent, we would LOVE to hear from you. If you have any topic requests or if you would like to ask a question, leave us a message here.

Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here.
Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here.
Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Thank you to everyone who showed up in person or participated virtually in our 5k fundraiser! It was a BIG success and we cannot thank this community or our sponsors enough. An extra special thank you to our TOP sponsors: RISE Advocacy, GHJ Foundation, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, CMS Creative Management, Inc., the Patay Family and MRM Education Harbor Light Financial Strategies, and PPL. If you or a business you know is looking to help with our next fundraiser, please go to WeAreBraveTogether.org to find more opportunities to donate or get involved. 

Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys. JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here. Donate to keep this podcast going here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow our Instagram Page @wearebravetogether or on Facebook. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's story episode, #194. These are true stories from a moment in the life of a caregiving parent. We hear a crafted story, and then have a conversation with our guests that goes deeper into their experience.

In this episode of the Brave Together Parenting Podcast, host Jessica Patay interviews Hannah Zorn, who shares her family's journey through medical challenges, including her daughter's diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. Hannah discusses the emotional rollercoaster of navigating the healthcare system, the importance of creating positive memories during difficult times, and the profound moment she experienced with a dragonfly that served as a sign of hope. She emphasizes the significance of finding a supportive community and encourages parents to seek out their tribe during challenging times.

Hannah is a mother of two children who each have a disability. She is a disability professional in her rural community, and lover of all things nature, art, and music. She lives with her beautiful husband and children in the mountains of Colorado. She is currently working on creating a Family Resource Collaborative Guide for local families in partnership with the Arc of SW Colorado.

Connect with Hannah Zorn on Facebook here and on IG here.

Find this episode and ALL our Season 7 episodes on Youtube here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Thank you to everyone who showed up in person or participated virtually in our 5k fundraiser! It was a BIG success and we cannot thank this community or our sponsors enough. An extra special thank you to our TOP sponsors: RISE Advocacy, GHJ Foundation, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, CMS Creative Management, Inc., the Patay Family and MRM Education Harbor Light Financial Strategies, and PPL. We are so grateful to these generous sponsors who help make all that we do for this community possible. If you or a business you know is looking to help with our next fundraiser, please go to WeAreBraveTogether.org to find more opportunities to donate or get involved. We welcome your donations and generosity, and we thank you with all of our hearts.

Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys. 

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.
Donate to keep this podcast going here.
Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?
Follow our Instagram Page @wearebravetogether or on Facebook.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Hello Brave Friends! On this Thriving Disabled Adults episode, #193, we are speaking to Thriving Disabled Adult, Tiffany Yu, who at age nine, was in a car accident that left her right arm permanently paralyzed, and also took the life of her father.

I think you're going to love this interview. Tiffany is so open about her courageous journey from the accident to finding her voice and community as a disabled person. She also has a lot to say about what it felt like to be in therapies and treatments for her brachial plexus injury. And in contrast to all those therapies, what it felt like when the initial support went away, and she was left, without an IEP, trying her best to fit in as a newly disabled person, in an ableist school system and world.

She is now an incredible disability advocate who started a disability centered community called Diversability. She is also a content creator (check out her Anti-Ableist series on TikTok) and she has a book coming out on disability inclusion called The Anti-Ableist Manifesto. I promise after this interview you are going to be clamoring to check out all of her world-changing content. 

Thank you to everyone who showed up in person or participated virtually in our 5k fundraiser! It was a BIG success and we cannot thank this community or our sponsors enough. An extra special thank you to our TOP sponsors: RISE Advocacy, GHJ Foundation, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, CMS Creative Management, Inc., the Patay Family and MRM Education Harbor Light Financial Strategies, and PPL. We are so grateful to these generous sponsors who help make all that we do for this community possible. If you or a business you know is looking to help with our next fundraiser, please go to WeAreBraveTogether.org to find more opportunities to donate or get involved. We welcome your donations and generosity, and we thank you with all of our hearts.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find this episode and ALL our Season 7 episodes on Youtube here.

Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys. 

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Donate to keep this podcast going here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?

Follow our Instagram Page @wearebravetogether or on Facebook.

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]

If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ASK US ANYTHING! 

In this Ask Us Anything episode, #192, we are responding to the question, What wisdom and encouragement do you have for women who are mothering without a mother?

In this tender conversation, Jessica Patay, Dr. Zoe Shaw, and Susanna Peace Lovell explore the complexities of motherhood, particularly the experience of mothering without a mother. They share personal stories of loss, caregiving, and the cyclical nature of grief, emphasizing the importance of community support and nurturing relationships. The discussion highlights the emotional challenges faced by mothers who have lost their own mothers, whether through death or complicated relationships, and the ways in which they seek connection and support in their parenting journeys.
Keep the vulnerable questions coming. We’re here to support you! We see you and we love you!
Whether you have questions as a parent to a child with complex medical or mental health needs or you’re someone looking to support a care-giving parent, we would LOVE to hear from you. 

If you have any topic requests or if you would like to ask a question, leave us a message here.

Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here.
Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here.
Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find this episode and ALL our Season 7 episodes on Youtube here.

Thank you to our BIG, beautiful 5k sponsors!! Our TOP sponsors that we want to acknowledge and appreciate are: RISE Advocacy, GHJ Foundation, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, CMS Creative Management, Inc., the Patay Family and MRM Education Harbor Light Financial Strategies, and PPL. We are so grateful to these generous sponsors and so excited about our 5K, which will be accessible and truly a family friendly event! Learn more about our 5K here.

Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.
JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.
Donate to keep this podcast going here.
Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?
Follow our Instagram Page @wearebravetogether or on Facebook.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's story episode, #191. These are true stories from a moment in the life of a caregiving parent. We hear a crafted story, and then have a conversation with our guests that goes deeper into their experience.

Today we actually have TWO guests, Sandy and Chris Colter. They are a couple and they both wrote stories about their struggles with depression while raising their autistic son, Bryce. So we decided to feature both of them to explore this very common topic of depression within the caregiving community.

Chris and Sandy’s son Bryce had a brain hemorrhage that caused seizures when he was just over a day old and just when they'd weaned him off the seizure medication at age two and a half, he got an autism diagnosis. Chris and Sandy wrote a book together called PARENTING AUTISM The Early Years: How We Found Hope and Peace on Our Unexpected Journey, and have been very open about the ups and downs of their caregiving journey to all of our benefits.

Find Sandy and Chris Colter’s book PARENTING AUTISM The Early Years: How We Found Hope and Peace on Our Unexpected Journey here.

Thank you to our BIG, beautiful 5k sponsors!! Our TOP sponsors that we want to acknowledge and appreciate are: RISE Advocacy, GHJ Foundation, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, CMS Creative Management, Inc., the Patay Family and MRM Education Harbor Light Financial Strategies, and PPL. We are so grateful to these generous sponsors and so excited about our 5K, which will be accessible and truly a family friendly event! Learn more about our 5K here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find this episode and ALL our Season 7 episodes on Youtube here.

Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys. 

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Donate to keep this podcast going here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?

Follow our Instagram Page @wearebravetogether or on Facebook.

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]

If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! On this Thriving Disabled Adults episode, #190, we chat with Ryanna Hammond. Once plagued with anxiety, depression and multiple eating disorders, Ryanna used journaling, therapy, nature and exercise to turn her life around.  

While anxiety and depression aren’t usually under the umbrella of disability we talk about here, we know more and more of our community, and their children, are struggling with mental health challenges. So this guest is here to inspire everybody!

Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell is your host for this episode, you may recognize her from our  Ask Us Anything episodes. She interviews Ryanna Hammond, an author, poet and business owner who has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in creative writing.

Ryanna’s business All With Heart is dedicated to helping people live their lives, all with heart. Her biggest passions are writing, spirituality, nature, solo travel, and mental health awareness.  

Find out more about Ryanna Hammond and her business, All With Heart, here.

Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here.

Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here.

Find this episode and ALL our Season 7 episodes on Youtube here.

Thank you to our BIG, beautiful 5k sponsors!! Our TOP sponsors that we want to acknowledge and appreciate are: RISE Advocacy, GHJ Foundation, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, CMS Creative Management, Inc., the Patay Family and MRM Education Harbor Light Financial Strategies, and PPL. We are so grateful to these generous sponsors and so excited about our 5K, which will be accessible and truly a family friendly event! Learn more about our 5K here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys. 

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Donate to keep this podcast going here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?

Follow our Instagram Page @wearebravetogether or on Facebook.

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]

If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ASK US ANYTHING! 

In this Ask Us Anything episode, #189, we are responding to the question, Do you have any tips for navigating life with a disabled child after a divorce?

This is a VERY relevant topic for our community because the added stress of caregiving for disabled children is not known to help marriages last longer. Also two of our three hosts have been through divorce and continue to co-parent with their disabled children’s fathers. So we have A LOT of first hand experience and advice for this caller. 

In this episode we offer: important things to consider in the divorce process, ways to break the news to our kids and the realities of what co-parenting with your ex-partner can look like as the primary caregiver. 

Keep the vulnerable questions coming. We’re here to support you! 

We see you and we love you!

Whether you have questions as a parent to a child with complex medical or mental health needs or you’re someone looking to support a care-giving parent, we would LOVE to hear from you. 

If you have any topic requests or if you would like to ask a question, leave us a message here.

Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here. 

Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here.

Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Thank you to our BIG, beautiful 5k sponsors!! Our TOP sponsors that we want to acknowledge and appreciate are: RISE Advocacy, GHJ Foundation, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, CMS Creative Management, Inc., the Patay Family and MRM Education. We are so grateful to these generous sponsors and so excited about our 5K, which will be accessible and truly a family friendly event! Learn more about our 5K here.

Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys. 

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Donate to keep this podcast going here.

Follow our Instagram Page @wearebravetogether or on Facebook.

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer