Mother’s Day can bring a mix of emotions—especially for moms raising children with special needs and epilepsy. In this episode, I’m taking a moment to speak directly to YOU—the moms who show up every single day with strength, love, and unwavering dedication.

From managing appointments and advocating fiercely, to navigating sleepless nights and emotional highs and lows… this journey is not easy. But your impact? It’s everything.

Your child is who they are today because of you.

This episode is a reminder to take a moment on your special day to reflect, and recognize just how far you’ve come—and just how incredible you truly are.

You are your child’s advocate.You are their comfort.You are their strength.

And even on the hardest days… you are the reason they continue to thrive.

Connect with me: 

If this episode was resourceful, please share it with another parent who might benefit from hearing this information!   You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

A Special Mother’s Day Reminder

When children notice differences, they often stare. It’s natural curiosity — but what happens next can become a powerful teaching moment.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing my perspective as a mom parenting a daughter with a visible disability and special needs, and offering an invitation to rethink what happens when children stare.

Instead of seeing these moments as awkward or something to avoid, what if we saw them as opportunities for connection, kindness, and inclusion?

I’m sharing how I typically respond when a child stares at my daughter in her wheelchair, why I often invite a simple hello, and why I believe parents have an incredible opportunity to help their children move from curiosity to compassion.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why staring doesn’t have to be something we as parents fear 

• How a simple “hello” can turn discomfort into connection 

• Why children’s questions should be welcomed, not shushed 

• The missed opportunity when parents pull their children away 

• How to use curiosity as a teachable moment about disability and inclusion 

• Ways to encourage children to approach differences with kindness and respect 

• Why these small everyday interactions can leave lasting impressions for both families

This conversation is not about having the perfect response — it’s about creating more openness, understanding, and humanity in natural everyday moments.  If you are parenting a child with disabilities, I hope this episode makes you feel seen.  If you are parenting a curious child who notices differences, I hope this episode gives you encouragement to lean into those moments rather than rush past them.  Sometimes inclusion begins with something as simple as a smile… and the courage to say hello.

Connect with me: 

If this episode was resourceful, please share it with another parent who might benefit from hearing this information!   You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

The transition to kindergarten can feel overwhelming for any parent—but when your child has epilepsy, special needs, and a complex medical history, it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders as you are preparing for them to kick off their elementary school phase.

In this episode, I’m sharing our personal journey navigating the transition from preschool to kindergarten just 1 year after our daughter’s hemispherectomy surgery. From IEP meetings and difficult recommendations to advocating for what we knew was best for her, this experience stretched us, challenged us, and ultimately empowered us.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• What the transition to kindergarten looked like after brain surgery while still having seizures in the picture

• The emotional weight of IEP meetings and placement decisions

• Why reading your child’s IEP line by line matters more than you think

• Common things to question in an IEP (goals, data, accommodations, accuracy)

• Our experience being recommended for a self-contained classroom—and why we pushed back 

• How hiring a special education advocate was a game changer

• What advocacy really looks like in the moment (even when it’s hard)

• The moment everything shifted—and our daughter got her chance in general education

Key Takeaways:

• You are a critical part of your child’s IEP team—your voice matters

• Don’t be afraid to question anything that doesn’t feel clear, accurate, or appropriate

• Preparation is powerful—go into meetings informed and organized

• If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to speak up and advocate

• Support exists—advocates can make a meaningful difference

• Your child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and be seen for who they are as a human

  Resources MentionedPediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance website:

  https://epilepsysurgeryalliance.org

  Search: “IEPs After Epilepsy Surgery” under the Resources tab for tons of helpful guidance.

Connect with me: 

If this episode was resourceful, please share it with another parent who might benefit from hearing this information!   You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a conversation that I will never forget… one that I’m still incredibly grateful for nearly a decade later.

Before my daughter started preschool, I had no idea what to expect. Like many parents, my understanding of school was based on my experience with my older children. But one honest, thoughtful conversation with a friend—someone who had walked this path before me—completely shifted my perspective and quietly prepared me for what might be ahead.

In this episode, I share:

• What I didn’t know before entering the school system with a child with (at that time) epilepsy and a speech delay

• The powerful advice that stayed with me and shaped how I show up as a parent advocate

• Our early preschool experience and the moment things didn’t feel right

• Why connecting with other parents can make all the difference in your journey

If you’re entering this stage of life or feeling unsure about what’s ahead, this episode is your reminder that you are not alone—and that the right guidance at the right time can change everything.

Connect with me:

If this episode was resourceful, please share it with another parent who might benefit from hearing this information!

You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

How do you mentally prepare for your child’s brain surgery?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and unsure how to handle what’s ahead—you are not alone.

In this deeply personal episode, I share what helped me navigate one of the most emotional and challenging seasons of my life as we prepared for our daughter’s hemispherectomy surgery.

While nothing can fully prepare you for a life-changing procedure like this, I found strength, perspective, and emotional grounding through three powerful books. Today, I’m walking you through the key takeaways that helped me shift my mindset, manage fear, and show up for my daughter and family when it mattered most.

This episode is for any parent walking through uncertainty, fear, and big decisions—you are stronger than you think.

• The emotional reality of preparing for your child’s brain surgery

• Why anxiety, fear, and overwhelm are completely normal

• The importance of protecting your mindset during hard seasons

• How to stay grounded when so much feels out of your control

• What “mental strength” really looks like as a parent

• How to move forward even on the hardest days

Books I read:

1. Thirteen Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do – Amy Morin

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t waste energy on what you can’t control

• Stop giving away your power to fear and worry

• Shift from “why me?” to “what can I do next?”

• Focus on how you respond, not what happens

2. Rising Strong – Brené Brown

Key Takeaways:

• Vulnerability is courage, not weakness

• Hard moments are part of your story—not the end of it

• The process of healing: Reckoning → Rumbling → Revolutionizing

• You can rewrite your story, even after life-changing events

3. Grit – Angela Duckworth

Key Takeaways:

• Strength is built through consistency, not perfection

• Showing up on hard days is what truly matters

• Progress isn’t always visible—but effort still counts

• Grit is feeling everything… and continuing anyway

You don’t have to be strong all the time.

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

Strength can look like:

• Crying and still showing up

• Asking for help

• Taking one small step forward

• Choosing hope, even when it feels hard

Connect with me:

If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with another parent who might need a reminder that they’re not alone.

You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

In today’s episode, I’m opening up about something that can feel incredibly hard—but is absolutely essential… taking a break from caregiving.

I recently took a short break away—from work, home, and caregiving—and it reminded me just how important it is to step away, even briefly. Whether it’s a few hours or a few days, creating space for yourself can leave you feeling refreshed, grounded, and more like YOU again.

In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact steps I use to make a break actually happen—even when it feels overwhelming, emotional, or logistically complicated.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why taking a break is not selfish—it’s necessary

• How even a short break can reset your energy and mindset

My 5 Simple Steps to Taking a Break from Caregiving:

1. Find Your Person

Who can step in for you—even for a short time? Let go of perfection and allow others to support you in their own way.

2. Define What “Rest” Looks Like for YOU

A trip, a walk, a yoga class, time with a friend—your break doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

3. Create a Simple Care Plan

Organize schedules, needs, and important details so you can step away with peace of mind.

4. Don’t Cancel

When guilt or anxiety creeps in (because it will), remind yourself why this matters. You deserve this time.

5. Be Present in Your Break

Rest. Recharge. Disconnect from the noise. This time is for YOU.

Connect with me:

If this episode was resourceful, please share it with another parent who might benefit from hearing this information!

You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

March 26th is Purple Day, also known as Epilepsy Awareness Day—a day where many people wear purple, share posts, and show support.

But behind that color… there are real families, real stories, and a reality that most people don’t fully see.

In this episode, I’m opening up about what epilepsy truly looks like—not just from the outside, but from inside our everyday life as a family navigating seizures, uncertainty, and constant decision-making.

Because awareness is important… but understanding is everything.

I’m sharing what I wish more people knew—the parts that aren’t always talked about, the emotional weight families carry, and how you can truly support someone walking this path.

If you’re a mom living this life, I hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone.

And if you’re listening to learn, thank you for taking the time to understand a little more deeply.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• What Purple Day (Epilepsy Awareness Day) really represents

• Common misconceptions about epilepsy and seizures

• What epilepsy can actually look like in real life

• The emotional toll on families

• What I truly wish people understood about this journey

• Ways to support families living with epilepsy

Connect with me:

If this episode was resourceful, please share it with another parent who might benefit from hearing this information!

You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

In this very personal episode, I reflect on a moment that always brings a wave of emotion — the anniversary of when my daughter and I came home from inpatient rehab after her hemispherectomy brain surgery.  Every March, photo memories pop up on my phone from the weeks following her surgery and the five weeks we spent in inpatient rehabilitation. It’s a powerful reminder of just how far she — and our entire family — have come.

Eight years ago, our daughter was discharged from rehab after undergoing a hemispherectomy in an attempt to stop her seizures. Before surgery she could walk, use both arms, and see out of both eyes, but frequent seizures were already beginning to impact her development.  After surgery, everything changed.  She had to relearn how to walk with support, and adapt to life with hemiparesis and partial vision loss. Our family had to adapt too — emotionally, physically, and practically — as we stepped into a life we never expected.

Looking back over the past twelve years, I can clearly see the emotional phases I moved through as a mom, advocate, and caregiver. These stages didn’t happen perfectly in order, and sometimes they resurfaced during new milestones, but recognizing them helped me understand my own journey.

In this episode, I share the phases I personally experienced and what helped me move through each one.  If you are parenting a child with epilepsy and  special needs, my hope is that this conversation reminds you that your feelings are valid and you are not walking this path alone.

In this episode we discuss:

• The anniversary of my daughter’s homecoming after her hemispherectomy and inpatient rehab

• Life before and after brain surgery for epilepsy

• How our family adjusted after returning home from the hospital

• The emotional stages many special needs parents experience

• Why grief, anger, and guilt can show up even when your child is making progress

• The pressure many parents feel to “fix” everything for their child

• How acceptance can bring a sense of peace without giving up hope

• Adapting your home and lifestyle to make life more accessible

• Finding confidence as your child’s advocate

• Why community, therapy, and connection matter for special needs moms

Connect with me:

If this episode was resourceful, please share it with another parent who might benefit from hearing this information!

You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

When brain surgery becomes part of the conversation for your child’s epilepsy, the weight of that decision can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I’m sharing our family’s personal experience with seeking multiple second opinions before moving forward with our daughter’s hemispherectomy surgery.

This is a deeply emotional topic, and I wanted to create this episode because so many parents are asking the same questions: Where do I start? How do I know which hospitals to contact? What records do I need? And how do I know if I’m making the right decision?

In this episode, I talk openly about the fear, pressure, hope, and uncertainty that can come with discussing epilepsy brain surgery. I also share why getting a second opinion is not disrespectful to your medical team — it is responsible, loving, and empowered parenting.

We discuss:

• How to begin researching top pediatric epilepsy hospitals and Level 4 epilepsy centers

• What questions to ask when meeting with epilepsy surgeons

• Reasons to seek second or even third opinions

• What can happen as a result of another opinion, including confirmation, new perspectives, more testing, or alternative treatment options

• The emotional toll this process can take on parents and families

• Why parental intuition matters so much in major medical decision-making

• How to move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and peace

I also share the reality of our own journey — from two years of appointments, testing, and conversations, to making the decision to move forward with surgery, and how that experience changed our family forever.

My hope is that this episode helps you feel less alone, more informed, and more empowered to ask questions, slow down when needed, and make the best decision possible for your child.

Resource noted in this episode:

Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance https://epilepsysurgeryalliance.org/

Connect with me:

If this episode was resourceful, please share it with another parent who might benefit from hearing this information!

You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

As I was thinking about what to talk about today, I kept coming back to something so many of us quietly carry — the natural fear and anxiety that shows up when we’re about to make a change for our child.

If you’re parenting a child with special needs and epilepsy, you know this rhythm. There are seasons of steady and calm… and then there are seasons where, in order to move forward — toward seizure reduction, toward progress, toward growth — we have to get uncomfortable.

And that in-between space? It can feel heavy.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing honest reflections about what it looks like to walk through transitions — even when we don’t want to — and why growth so often lives on the other side of fear.

I also share a few details about a transition that we are about to begin and what it feels like to be in that uncomfortable “figuring it out” stage.

Remember past seasons of resilience

Normalize the fear that comes with change

Give yourself grace in the “figuring it out” phase

Lean into preparation without expecting perfection

Connect with me:

If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with another parent who might need a reminder that they’re not alone.

You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.