Caffeinated Caregivers

In their last introductory episode, Erica and Alyssa share how their own experiences as disabled children shaped the way they navigate caregiving now. They touch on the examples that their own parents set as caregivers, the emotional weight caregivers carry for their kids, and the many ways we turned out to be better advocates for our kids than we ever were for ourselves.
Plus, we each share our BIG SNAP. You know, that moment when you fully embrace the intense advocate you need to be to get your kid the proper, timely medical care or access they deserve.
When we say that disability has informed every aspect of our lives, we really do mean it, from the way we advocate, to the way we parent and caregive now, to the way we appreciate our own parents and caregivers. If you're the parent and caregiver to a medically complex or disabled child, this episode is for you! We're so glad you're here!

In this episode:

[00:48] Erica's uncaffeinated beverage of the day
[03:18] Erica's Caffeinated Confessional and a TLC throwback
[08:37] How Alyssa's mom set an amazing caregiver example for her growing up
[13:03] An ode to Erica's mom and stepdad who helped her navigate her medical complexities
[16:36] The medical baggage we both brought along with us into caregiving
[24:25] Alyssa's big "snap" when she fully embraced advocacy for her daughter
[28:51] How advocating for our kids has made us better advocates for ourselves too
[33:21] The emotional weight we carry as caregivers and the ways our parents vented their frustrations
[42:51] The lack of community Erica and Alyssa experienced in childhood and the determination to give their children something better

Links:
For the transcript, our blog, and more, visit our website: https://www.caffeinatedcaregivers.com/podcast/ep3
Follow us on Instagram for research, validation, and a lot of memes @caffeinated_caregivers.

Subscribe to our show in your favorite podcast app so you don't miss a single episode! 

Thanks friends! Talk soon!

Erica and Alyssa get super vulnerable and share their own experiences of growing up as disabled children. We talk about our disabilities, the many feelings that come with growing up in a noticably different body, our complicated feelings on being seemingly "less disabled" as adults, and the way our experiences with disability have informed our whole lives.

This conversation is not one where we claim authority over anyone or superiority over any other kind of caregiver. Instead, we're sharing our experiences to give all of us a more well-rounded view of disability and caregiving. We're so glad you're here!

In this episode:
[00:29] What's fueling us today (and Alyssa's unconventional plasticware)
[03:45] All the caveats for this episode, from allergies to our place in the disability world
[09:13] Erica's story of growing up as a child with disabilities and medical complexities
[14:23] Alyssa's story of becoming disabled as an adolescent
[22:02] The uncomfortable questions that both disabled children and caregivers face
[28:27] The complicated feelings and internalized ableism both Alyssa and Erica navigate as adults who appear "less disabled" than they were as children
[33:23]  The way becoming a caregiver to disabled children shifted both Erica and Alyssa's perspective on their own disability
[40:31] The way experiencing disability shapes your entire worldwide

Links:
Follow us on Instagram for research, validation, and a lot of memes @caffeinated_caregivers.
Get the transcript for this episode, read the blog, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.caffeinatedcaregivers.com/podcast/ep2.

Subscribe to our show in your favorite podcast app so you don't miss a single episode!
Thanks friends! Talk soon!

It's our very first episode, and we promise we talk about way more than just coffee! Erica and Alyssa get into everything including how they first met, their own parenting and caregiving experiences, the power of language to describe our shared experiences, and what they hope to create and share through this podcast.

If you're looking for a chill, lively conversation between two friendly caregivers, this is the space for you! We're so glad you're here.

In this episode:
[01:13] What we're drinking (spoiler alert: there's some coffee)
[06:33] A little about our families and entrance into caregiving
[12:20] Our personal experiences with disability before becoming caregivers
[19:05] The long and winding story of how we met and started Caffeinated Caregivers
[27:09] Why we resonate with the term "caregiver"
[35:00] What you can expect from the podcast in future episodes

Links:
Follow us on Instagram for research, validation, and a lot of memes @caffeinated_caregivers.
Get the transcript for this episode, read the blog, and sign up for our newsletter at www.caffeinatedcaregivers.com.

And if you have a sec, leave us a rating and review on Apple or Spotify!
Thanks friends! Talk soon!

Welcome to Caffeinated Caregivers, with your hosts Erica Stearns and Alyssa Nutile, two caregivers and parents to medically complex children who are out here, ready to build a community of caregivers to empower each other and advocate for better support — for themselves and those they care for.

Each month, we'll bringing you stories, research, resources, and hopefully a few laughs too as we chat with medical professionals, disabled adults, AND other caregivers who are laugh-crying their way through life.

To stay up to date with episode releases and to join our community of caregivers, follow us on Instagram @caffeinated_caregivers or visit our website www.caffeinatedcaregivers.com. 

We're so glad you're here.