Five years ago, Catherine suffered an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) during the delivery of her second daughter leading to ECMO, DIC, a stroke, and an ICU stay followed by a long recovery process that continues today. She beat terriflyingly low odds of survival and has used her journey to help others by creating her own podcast focusing on perinatal trauma where mothers can share their stories and trauma around childbirth can be openly discussed. Her story will have you on the edge of your seat as she tells how she battled each day to live.

You can find her website here: https://www.birthtraumastories.com

Check out her podcast here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ke/podcast/birth-trauma-stories-formerly-the-twinky-chronicles/id1616407391

You can find her on IG: @birthtraumastoriespodcast

Jennifer could never have expected how her life would change when her daugther, Allison, sprained her ankle. Doctors and physical therapists became alarmed when after 8 weeks, Allison had not improved and in fact, her foot was contracted and would no longer move. From here, Jennifer and Allison began a journey that eventually led to genetic testing and a diagnosis of dystonia, follwed by brain surgery that had a complication, leaving Allison's speech and movement more impaired. Not willing to collapse under the weight of all that had changed, both Jennifer and Allison dove in to every treatment and therapy they could find, and they have hope for improvement in the future. Jennifer shares honestly about the challenges of being disappointed in people she thought were her friends and how Allison has turned her situation around to educate and help others.

This is a POWERFUL one with a lot of lessons for all of us as we move into 2025.

Check out these links!

Allison's GoFund me to help get a wheelchair-accessible van:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Pallisons-journey?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

Allison's Etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/pallisonscreations/?etsrc=sdt&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaam4MviL_eOyJfhRQNE2BA0KO8z1VtXx99dU2YE0DuKsY1AG-RSAB-FTgo_aem_XAMHRxu-6cn01oVIvSUhlQ

Allison's Amazon Wish List:

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/10Y5WKJUO9LPV

Billy Footwear Link: https://billyfootwear.com/?ref=PALLISONS_JOURNEY

Allison's merch!

https://www.bonfire.com/store/pallisons-journey/

Allison's IG:

@pallisons_journey

Karyn checked her 8-year-old daughter, Jordyn, in for a quick, 30-minute surgery: having her tonsils and adenoids removed. Little did they know there would be a complication, leading to Jordyn ending up on ECMO, a machine doing the work of her heart and lungs, in the ICU. What was supposed to be a simple procedure left Jordyn fighting for her life and Karyn fighting for Jordyn. This story is terrifying, engaging, inspirational ... and the ending will have you cheering for Jordyn and her amazing mama.

Karyn checked her 8-year-old daughter, Jordyn, in for a quick, 30- minute surgery: having her tonsils and adenoids removed. Little did they know there would be a complication, leading to Jordyn ending up on ECMO, a machine doing the work of her heart and lungs, in the ICU. What was supposed to be a simple procedure left Jordyn fighting for her life and Karyn fighting for Jordyn. This story is terrifying, engaging, inspirational…and the ending will have you cheering for Jordyn and her amazing mama.

Today's story is one of strength and perseverence during one of the hardest situations I can imagine. Britt McCabe is here to share her pregnancy and postpartum journey. She became sick around 35 weeks pregnant, which progressed to becoming fully paralyzed due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Her son, Ollie, was delivered by c-section, and she was immediately taken to the ICU where she stayed for several weeks, unable to move on her own. Britt spent months in hospitals and rehab, all with the goal of learning to stand and walk again so she could care for her son. To say Britt's story is inspiring is an understatement, and I'm so excited to bring it to our listeners today!

Follow Britt's journey on IG @cidpwithbritt

I had the amazing opportunity to chat with Josie about her motherhood experience. Her daughter, Journey, is 8 years old and has a rare disease called Prader-Willi syndrome. Among other symptoms, this syndrome affects Journey in that she never feels full which has led her mom and family to have to make very specific rules around mealtimes and food. Josie shares about:

- Getting her daughter's diagnosis

- Modifications she has had to make as a mom around food

- The challenges of school and learning about IEP's/504's

- The importance of inclusion and how she and her husband have created a football and cheer program that focuses on including all kids who want to join, despite any special needs or financial status

Today is the much-anticipated part TWO of Angela Diven's story about her son Layton, and his journey with Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3. Today, she takes us through toddlerhood with a child prone to fractures, what it was like sending him to school for the first time, how he has overcome major injury, and how he has excelled in life, including in baseball and track/field.

Follow Angela and Layton on IG @superlaytondiven

Today's story is unbelievable, and I can't wait to share it with you all today. Angela Diven joins us for the first episode of this 2-part series about her journey raising her son, Layton, who has Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3. OI is a collagen disorder that affects his entire body, leading to bones that easily fracture. In Part 1, we chat about pregnancy, Layton's birth and his diagnosis afterward, and what it was like having a baby who could so easily fracture, even during a simple diaper change. She also bravely shares how this affected her mental health and how medication, the help of certain healthcare professionals, and finding an OI specialty center across the country helped her move through these dark times. Angela's bravery, openness, and incredible fight to advocate for her son will leave you on the edge of your seat, ready to for Part 2 which will come out one week from today.

Follow Angela and Layton on IG @superlaytondiven

I am so impressed by Paige Calendine and her mom, Heidi, who so kindly offered to share her story today. Heidi had a big surprise at the very end of her pregnancy when she was told her daughter would be born without lower extremities. She knew, though, that her daughter would live an incredible life...and that has become an understatement. Paige is an avid gymnast who is also active in cheer and archery, competing against able-bodied peers while also working to pave the way to bring gymnastics to the Paralympics...and hoping to compete in archery in the Paralympics herself.

You can also find out more about Heidi and Paige on IG @heidi.calendine

https://www.amazon.com/Built-Different-Paige-Calendine/dp/B0D8FLVNNK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3P6KA2SNIK8X3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7Tv05Oqb9X3JFm_STPZ8DIZctRr_F3NhVuOAqYwXPw57mvWAmr4C7aevWW-VEgGSKM1OCQivUk4J1UEQ49bK3YN8eJk0FlyLERPNdw9aKT3rMAH9Q8ET50MXP0b4PCXrVwVuGREvEP6cMEVA1V9mttE5O2f-HJjxLOgKAxoIY3iXWH_OMyyqSk82917HLXaitIb_IpVWYEGAZ2__kh_a1-R0RgrdK8mjIaqEm9gbFao.XVNAuOEdBlKFr5vUersTmRAbefrFh3Q8SX_lENzEyAs&dib_tag=se&keywords=built+different+documentary&qid=1728170238&sprefix=built+different+doc%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1

I am so thrilled to bring you today's interview with a true miracle mama, Ebony Ford. After suffering through devastating losses, Ebony became pregnant with her daughter, Reign, however a joyous time quickly turned scary when Reign had to be delivered early at 26 weeks while Ebony fought for her life, diagnosed with HELLP syndrome. Ebony has used her story to support others, and I am so honored she took time out of her busy life to chat with me today. You'll hear about:

- Moving through stillbirth and miscarriage

- HELLP syndrome and waking up in the ICU after delivering her daughter at 26 weeks

- Raising a micropreemie

- Choosing to become pregnant again after birth trauma

- All about her AMAZING community, Miracle Mamas

You can find Ebony at:

Website: www.miraclemamas.org

Miracle Mamas club: