Your hosts, Tara Hedman and Diane Thompson welcome you to another episode of Examine Your Hedman Podcast. In today's episode, they are joined by Kim Coe, a friend of Tara's since Junior High.

Kim shares her journey as a mother of five beautiful children, two with disabilities, and the challenges and beauty of adoption.

Life really can suck less, so examine your head, man!

Key Takeaways:

[1:10] Tara and Diane give an update about their current lives.

[13:10] Tara introduces Kim.

[15:05] Kim talks about her process with one of her pregnancies and receiving news that her baby was at high risk of having Down Syndrome.

[22:30] Kim shares about the options her doctor gave her.

[25:35] Kim remembers sharing the news with her husband and how he responded with, "She is our daughter, we are going to love her."

[26:55] Kim tells Tara she just found out her baby has Down Syndrome.

[28:20] Kim shares about her process and finding out the diagnosis was certain.

[31:06] Kim talks about the information and help that's available now and the changes needed in the medical field.

[33:07] Kim talks about her process from finding out the diagnosis and the moment her daughter was born.

[34:55] Kim shares what her grief looked like.

[38:14] Kim discusses the difficulties and grace in sharing the news with friends and family.

[41:45] What was the hardest part for Kim in the first year after her daughter was born?

[43:37] Kim recognizes her daughter first, before her diagnosis.

[44:25] Kim shares her advice to parents who are expecting a child with Down Syndrome.

[47:43] Kim shares how she and her husband decided to adopt another child with Down Syndrome.

[52:10] Kim gets news they were chosen for adoption.

[53:42] Kim shares about stereotypes.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hedman Wellness

Examine Your Hedman Podcast

Visit Examine Your Hedman

Email Kim at [email protected]

Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters, Brian Skotko

This podcast is not a substitute for a therapeutic relationship with a mental health professional