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:

I am so excited to bring you today's episode! Renee Sellers in an AMAZING mama that I have gotten to know and she joins us today to share her journey with her two daughters, Opal and Lucy, who are both autistic. You wil hear about:

- How her two girls present entirely diffrerently in terms of their autism

- Myths about autism

- Potential signs of autism

- How to encouge our kids to interact with others who may have a disability

- (This one is my favorite!) Why her family celebrates diagnosis days

You can find Renee on Instagram at @rainbows__after__rain

Today is a solo episode! I wanted to share about Gavin's surgical journey for his CP. When he was 4, he had a surgery called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy which is a 7-hour surgery where the surgeon finds the nerves leading to muscle spasticity - and severs them. Gavin then had to relearn how to sit, stand, walk, and more. A couple months later, he had a surgery to lengthen the muscles in both calves. In this episode, you'll hear about:

- What it's like to make such a terrifying medical decision

- The power of touch dogs

- When and how to advocate for your child

- Other lessons I learned along our surgical journey!

As usual, you can follow me on IG at

@mama.sisterhood

I am so happy to share this interview with you all! Today's guest is Laura Swanson who is the mom to an AMAZING girl named Harper. Harper had her first seizure the day of her 5th birthday party, and Laura shares their journey and how this has affected her as a mom. You will hear about:

- What it's like having a child with epilepsy

- How this has affected her mental health, particularly anxiety and OCD

- The importance of advocating for your child

- The need for self-care and expressing your needs as a mom (ALL moms, not just those of kids with medical needs)

Check out Laura's IG page at @lifewith.laurajessica

Today, I'm happy to share my interview with Ashley, whose 8-year-old daughter, Sadie, has been diagnosed with a rare disease called Sanfilippo Syndrome. Sanfilippo, as described by Ashley, is similar to dementia or Alzheimer's, but in children. In this episode, you will hear about:

Katrina Mullen's story is INCREDIBLE! Katrina was a mom of 5 boys, working as a NICU nurse, when she met her now-daughter, Shariya, who had just given birth at age 14 to micropreemie triplets. She bonded with the young mother and months later, when her daughter and the triplets were going to be moved to foster care, Katrina stepped in and said "yes" - to expanding her family and adopting Shariya. Katrina now has 5 boys, a daughter, and triplet grandchildren. In this unbelievable episode, you'll hear about:

- How Katrina and Shariya bonded in the hospital

- What it was like to say "yes" while being a single, working mother of five

- Shariya's amazing journey and what she is doing now

- How you can support others, such as a young mom