E16 — Parent and medical caregiver. Many parents of children with disabilities know the complexity of these two full-time roles. Juli Henderson, founder of In Our Arms, was the caregiver for her son Robert, who passed away at eighteen from a rare mitochondrial disease. She joins Amy Julia Becker to explore:

• Caregiver burnout, guilt, and isolation
• How to pace yourself
• Creating community (even when you’re exhausted)
• Practicing small, sustainable acts of self-care
• Navigating grief

Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

00:00 Caregiving, Disability, and Family Dynamics
07:05 The Distinction Between Mom and Caregiver Roles
09:28 Balancing Family Needs with Caregiving Responsibilities
13:47 Self-Care Strategies for Caregivers
17:17 Building a Supportive Community for Caregivers

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• In Our Arms
• Amy Julia's book: A Good and Perfect Gift

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WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

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ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Juli Henderson is a disability communicator, writer, and advocate who supports families navigating disability, caregiving, and grief. She is the founder of In Our Arms, inspired by her son Robert, who passed away at eighteen from a rare mitochondrial disease. Through her writing, speaking, and nonprofit leadership, Juli offers hope and connection to caregivers around the world.

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Take the Next Step is produced in partnership with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals.

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