Rockin the Difference

Today I talk with my friend, Nada, on the sacrifices we make as parents of special needs individuals.  

We all make sacrifices to ensure our kids are getting the best of what we can give them.  With Nada, this meant moving countries with her kids, while her husband stayed.   It meant giving up what she was familiar with to make sure her son lived a full life and adjusting to a new family dynamic with her kids and long distance marriage.  

She's an amazing woman and I hope you can resonate with her story.  

In this episode we discuss how life can just be OVERWHELMING. 

In today's episode I talk with Erin and Bruce Wilson who founded If I Need Help.  

They started this non profit which provides a system to help find special needs kids, as well as individuals suffering from dementia or Alzheimers,  that go missing, especially for those who can’t communicate.  It uses modern technologies to help reunite those who might become lost, disoriented or need assistance in a critical moment.  

They share what inspired them to start this business, how it has impacted their family, how to learn more about it as well as some awesome success stories.  

To learn more you can find the at www.ifineedhelp.org 

In this episode I talk about my son, Ryan, reaching a milestone and moving towards that next phase from being in the school years bubble  into adulthood and how that unpredictability and foreverness hit me hard. 

If you have comments or ideas you'd like to share on this topic, I'd love to hear them and possibly expand on them in future episodes.

You can DM on Instragram: /rockin_the_difference or email me at [email protected]

Aubrie Forte has been a special person in our lives for almost 17 years now. She has been a teacher in special education and now works directly with schools to support programs on campus, with students, teachers and families. She was Ryan's teacher throughout elementary school and is lovingly known as Ryan's Forever Teacher because she continues to be a part of his life. 

She has a BA in SpED and an MA in mod/severe disabilities.  She shares her insights on what she has learned along her journey from the students and families she has been involved with.  She also offers thoughts for parents, suggestions for those considering becoming a special education teacher along with funny and heart warming stories and learning experiences throughout her journey. 

Being a mom of a blind and autistic adult, you have many experiences and learn so many things.  Some of the most valuable things you learn are from your child themselves.  In this episode I share 8 valuable things I have learned from my kid.  

If you would like to share your stories please DM on Instagram @rockin_the_difference or email [email protected]

Please rate and review this podcast if you found this content helpful. 

Until next time, Keep Rockin the Difference!

This episode I talk with Pat Coskran, a father of 37 year old Sean, who is autistic.  

He has been a special education teacher and coach in the Special Olympics. 

He is also the author of "Growing up with Sean" found where most books are sold. 

He shares his perspective as a dad, finding connection with community in his way as he took over being Sean's primary caregiver; his struggle with his ego to be in control, grief and denial; the IEP process from the perspective of a parent and an educator, how the future will be for your adult child and the best way to prepare for that and so much more.  

In this episode I share how connections with my friends and my community inside and outside of the special needs space has been a life saver for me.  

I didn't realize how much I needed to connect with others in order to feel fulfilled in my life.  This can take a lot when you're raising a special needs kid, but it is vital and the effort to get connected is well worth it. 

If you can any information you would like to share or hear on this podcast, you can email at [email protected] or DM me on Instagram @rockin_the_difference

In this special episode I bring on my amazing friends, Ashley, Tricia and Parisa, better known as the BBBs or Bonded By Blindness.  We have an amazing bond because we all have blind kids. And although we all have unique stories, we can relate to each other on this journey.  And it is so important to have someone to relate to in this special needs life. 

We share our stories and experience, share laughter and tears, struggles and love.  I hope you enjoy my first guests on Rockin The Difference!

This episode talks about the AAAs of moving forward through the challenges and fears you face being a special needs parent and how working through these ideas could help you live a happy special life.