🦑 Welcome to The Adaptable Octopus! In this episode, we're diving deep with my amazing friend Katie Shaff, a powerhouse with a bright spirit and a sharp sense of humor. Katie has Diplegic Cerebral Palsy, which affects both her arms and legs, and she’s never let that stop her from living life on her own terms.

👶 Born three months early at just 1 lb 11 oz (yes, you read that right), Katie shares what it was like growing up as the medically “needy” sibling, how that shaped her independence, and the joy of learning to pour her own coffee in a restaurant just a few years ago.

🧠 We talk about:

🎙️ Episode Title: "Ink and Insight: A Son's Perspective"
🧠 Podcast: The Adaptable Octopus
👤 Guest: Lucas, Host’s Son

This heartfelt Mother’s Day episode features a special guest — the host’s son, Lucas. Together, they reflect on what it was like for him growing up with a mom who has cerebral palsy. Lucas shares his honest thoughts on how it shaped his awareness, compassion, and relationships, while the host opens up about her personal struggles and pride as a mother.

✨ Key Topics:

• Childhood through the lens of love, not limitation

• Subtle lessons in awareness and empathy

• Overcoming doubts as a disabled parent

• The quiet strength of showing up, every day

💬 “You're really not just my mom. You're just... my mom.”

🎧 Tune in, celebrate motherhood, and be reminded that love sees ability before disability.

Show Notes:

Last week was full of intense emotions, difficult decisions, and deep reflection. In this episode, I open up about some very personal parts of my journey—especially around my daughter, Anna, and everything we’re navigating together as a family.

✨ What We Talk About Today:

• How my daughter made me mad—and what it taught me about accountability and tough love
  

• Finally getting her a 504 plan after years of school struggles
  

• Our experience with truancy court, the CHINS petition, and her current placement in a group home
  

• Why I gave physical custody to my ex—and how that decision still haunts me
  

• What happened at our most recent court hearing and my heartfelt letter to the judge
  

• The power of using your voice—especially when it’s hard
  

• A painful moment being called a slur—and how it impacted my self-worth
  

• An unexpected message from my high school sweetheart and the emotions it stirred up
  

• A reminder from someone I lost: “Blair, you just need to forgive yourself.”
  

🌀 This episode is raw, real, and a piece of my healing journey. I hope it encourages someone else out there to face their truth, forgive themselves, and choose peace even when it’s hard.

🎧 Listen on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream.

💬 Got experience with ADHD, anxiety, or 504 plans? I’d love to hear your insight. Message me anytime.

Thanks for listening to The Adaptable Octopus. Until next time—keep adapting, keep thriving. 🐙💙

💬 Episode Summary: In this heartfelt episode, we’re taking a moment to celebrate The Adaptable Octopus winning its first award 🐙🏆—and it’s all thanks to YOU. We reflect on the amazing community we've built, the messages that keep us going, and how embracing cerebral palsy in later life has shaped this journey. I also answer your burning questions—from the gear I use (spoiler: it’s a borrowed mic and a Chromebook!) to what inspires me the most (hint: it’s my daughter 💜).

👀 What’s Inside:

• Huge thank-you to our listeners and supporters
  

• Big news: our first podcast award!
  

• How the show got started & what keeps it going
  

• Personal reflections on living with cerebral palsy
  

• Listener Q&A: gear, motivation, and inspiration
  

• A peek at what’s next—live events, interviews & more!
  

📢 Join the Conversation: Come hang out with us on Facebook! We’re building a space to share behind-the-scenes updates, sneak peeks, and weird, wonderful vibes. Come say hi or just lurk—we love having you there.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you love to stream. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, or share with a friend!

✨ Until next time: keep adapting, keep thriving, and take care.

Episode Title: Still Swimming Podcast: The Adaptable Octopus

Show Notes:

When life pulls you to the ocean floor, how do you keep swimming? In this episode, Blair Riggs shares the powerful story of an octopus who lost everything—family, health, wealth—but never gave up. Through grief, questions, and faith, he finds his way back.

💧 Feel your pain ❓ Ask the hard questions 🙏 Hold on to faith

A story of resilience, realness, and the strength to keep moving—tentacle by tentacle.

Welcome to another episode of The Adaptable Octopus! I'm your host, Blair Riggs, and today, I’m diving into a powerful story of resilience and adaptability that has inspired me.

This isn’t my story, but it’s one I’ve interpreted in a way that highlights the incredible adaptability of a man named Paul. After surviving a shipwreck on his way to Rome, he finds himself stranded on the island of Malta. In this moment of uncertainty, Paul demonstrates adaptability in a big way.

Key Takeaways:

• Staying Focused in Crisis: Instead of dwelling on the disaster, Paul takes immediate action, gathering wood for a fire to help himself and others.
  

• Handling Unexpected Setbacks: When bitten by a venomous snake, Paul doesn’t panic. He simply shakes it off and continues with his task—showing how adaptability means not letting setbacks derail you.
  

• Trust in Resilience: Paul’s ability to adapt comes from his deep trust in himself and the guidance he’s received over years of hardship, from imprisonment to rejection.
  

So, what can we learn from Paul’s story? Life throws us shipwrecks and snakebites—unexpected obstacles that challenge us. But like Paul, we can choose our response. We can focus on what we can control, trust in ourselves, and keep moving forward with resilience and adaptability.

Final Thoughts: How are you adapting today? Are you facing the unexpected? Like Paul, you have the strength to shake it off and keep going.

Thanks for tuning in to The Adaptable Octopus. I hope this story inspires you to embrace change and resilience. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode if it resonated with you. Until next time, stay flexible, stay strong, and keep adapting!

The Adaptable Octopus - Episode 5: Ashes to Adaptation

Welcome to The Adaptable Octopus, where we explore stories of change, resilience, and the power to adapt. In this episode, host Blair Riggs takes us through a life-changing moment—an unexpected house fire that reshaped his family's world. From the chaos of the flames to the quiet moments of rebuilding, Blair reflects on the strength of family, community, and the unexpected places where hope can emerge. Tune in for a powerful journey of loss, recovery, and the unbreakable bonds that help us adapt.

Don't forget to subscribe and share the podcast with others who might need a little inspiration in their own journey. Thanks for listening!

The Adaptable Octopus - Episode 4: "Octopus in Middle School: A Goat Story"

"Octopus in Middle School: A Goat Story"

• The brief connection Blair had with her mom, working at school, and how it highlighted the ups and downs of their relationship.

•  How Blair's middle school years ultimately taught her about resilience and the importance of adaptability.

Key Takeaways:

• Sometimes, things seem to improve just to fall back into old patterns – but there is always something to learn.

• Even during the hardest times, we can find ways to grow and adapt.

• Therapy and support can make a difference – don’t be afraid to reach out.

• Resilience is about finding strength in adversity and continuing to move forward.

Blair's Final Thought: "Remember, even if you're struggling right now, there's always room to grow and adapt. Things can get better."

Resources:

• If you're struggling with mental health or need support, reach out to a therapist or support group. You're not alone.

Follow The Adaptable Octopus:

• Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.)

• Share the episode with someone who might need to hear it.

Join the conversation: Stay connected with Blair and the community as we continue sharing stories of resilience, change, and growth. Keep adapting, keep thriving, and take care of yourselves!

Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe and share the podcast. Your support helps this amazing community grow!

The Adaptable Octopus Podcast - Episode 3: “Octopus on a mission:Tackling Life’s Curveballs”

Host: Blair Riggs

In this heartfelt and candid episode, Blair Riggs shares her journey living with cerebral palsy and the lessons she's learned along the way. From a childhood of emotional distance to finding her strength in the most unexpected places, Blair opens up about the challenges and triumphs that have shaped her. She invites you to join the conversation—whether it’s laughing, sharing your own stories, or reflecting on your moments of resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• Blair’s early life wasn’t a fairytale, but resilience became her superpower.

• The importance of having someone who truly "sees" you when you need it most—like Mrs. Bumgarner, Blair’s kindergarten special ed teacher.

• Life isn’t always easy, but even in the chaos, there’s beauty in how we adapt.

• Resilience looks different for everyone—Blair invites you to share your own stories.

Questions for You:

• Have you ever had someone like Mrs. Bumgarner, who believed in you when it mattered most?

• What does resilience look like in your life?

• How do you adapt when life gets tough?

Join the conversation! Share your thoughts, stories, and reflections with Blair on social media or through the podcast's community.

Don't forget to:

• Subscribe to The Adaptable Octopus on your favorite podcast platform.

• Leave a review if you enjoyed the episode and share it with a friend who could use some inspiration.

The Adaptable Octopus Podcast – Episode 2: The Birth of Resilience

Episode Recap:In Episode 2, Blair Riggs opens up about her chaotic birth story—spoiler alert: it wasn’t exactly a Hallmark moment. Think a tipsy doctor, a rushed trip to the NICU, and a baby who wasn’t exactly given the VIP treatment. But, in true octopus fashion, Blair adapts and shares how she overcame the odds. From busting myths about cerebral palsy to navigating tricky family dynamics and school struggles, it’s a wild ride filled with laughs, a few tears, and a lot of life lessons.

Key Highlights:

Blair’s Birth Drama:Blair’s entrance into the world? Not exactly a smooth ride.A 20-year-old mom, a doctor with questionable judgment, and a lack of oxygen made for a memorable start.Blair was rushed to the NICU, and bonding time? Yeah, that came later.

Cerebral Palsy Myths Busted:Guess what? Cerebral palsy doesn’t always happen at birth. Mind-blowing, right?Blair didn’t learn this fun fact until she was 42—so if you thought CP was strictly a birth injury, you’re not alone. Prepare to have your mind stretched.

Family Feels:Blair spills the tea on growing up with a complicated family dynamic. Sometimes, her mom would take her sister and leave Blair behind. It wasn’t exactly the warm and fuzzy family vibe she’d hoped for.Postpartum depression? Yeah, that was a thing too. Blair’s got some thoughts on how life’s never as simple as it seems.

Therapy and School Struggles:Blair started physical therapy at age 2, and spoiler alert: she still goes back for the fun of it!School? Not a walk in the park either. Always the kid with an aide tagging along, Blair was the one with untied shoes and a permanent sidekick. But hey, at least she had a built-in bodyguard, right?

High School Lessons:High school taught Blair a thing or two about love and life—mainly, it’s awkward, complicated, and full of surprises.Next week, she’ll dig into more of these lessons, plus navigating doctor’s appointments as an adult. (And let’s be real, no one really loves a doctor’s visit.)

Engage with Blair:Did you think cerebral palsy was only a birth injury? Share your “Wait, what?” moment.Did you have a school aide? Or were you the one who had a personal shadow? We need your stories!Ever dealt with postpartum depression? Drop a comment and let’s talk about it.

Next Episode Tease:Blair’s going to take us on a hilarious (and maybe a little embarrassing) journey through high school—love, life lessons, and awkward moments galore. Plus, she’ll share what it’s like to meet a new doctor and how to adult without losing your mind. (Spoiler: it’s really hard.)

Call to Action:If you laughed, cried, or just had your mind blown, hit like, share, and comment. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Adaptable Octopus so you don’t miss any future laughs, lessons, or unexpected wisdom!

Closing Thoughts:Blair leaves us with this: Keep adapting, keep thriving, and remember—life’s too short to not be a little flexible!

Follow The Adaptable Octopus:Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast fix.Share with friends, family, or anyone who could use a reminder that adaptability is the secret to survival.Thanks for listening! Keep adapting, keep thriving, and take care until next time!