The Pediatric Epilepsy Podcast

Mickie’s Miracles CEO & Visionary Founder Kristie Griess and her colleague Dario Herrera with Erin Fecske, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Children’s Mercy Kansas City Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. This informative discussion takes on the topic of mental health and the importance of “Caring for Caregivers.” One in two parents of a medically complex child are at greater risk for mental health disorders — and Mickie’s Miracles is aiming to provide mental health support for ALL families caring for the medically complex children.

Visionary Founder and CEO Kristie Griess is joined by her husband, Gabe Griess, and Dario Herrera (Community Outreach) to introduce the Care for Caregivers Mental Health Program (CFCMHP) sponsored by Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

In this episode, Kristie and Gabe reflect on their mental health challenges from when they first learned of Mickie’s condition through life-saving brain surgery through her transition out of adolescence. They share the difficult moments, the stuffing of feelings, how they supported each other, and how they’re choosing to process the remnant and ongoing mental health issues today.

The CFCMHP is a series of programs designed to support parents and caregivers of medically complicated children with tools to process mental health challenges. The series includes podcasts, videos, blogs, and a coming soon Open Zoom Meeting with licensed mental health professionals.

Listen in as CEO & Visionary Founder Kristie Griess and Executive Director Dario Herrera review an amazing year of advocacy, awareness and action for Mickie’s Miracles. From the Music Inspiring Neurological Development (MIND) for Kids Program to “Miracle” to laying the groundwork for a big legislative year in Nevada, Mickie’s Miracles is leading the way in pediatric epilepsy.

For too long conversations about the mental health of parents caring for medically complicated children has happened in whispers if at all. To commemorate May as Mental Health Awareness Month, we invited mental health expert Dr. Janelle Wagner to have an open conversation about what mental health issues can look like, how to manage them, and the need to incorporate mental health into the full spectrum treatment for both the children patients suffering from epilepsy and the parents caring for them.

Join us for this in depth conversation with Dr. Ivet Aldaba as we continue to dive into the mental health and related issues impacting families who have children with epilepsy. As a licensed social worker, former non-profit executive and current Mickie’s Miracles Program Director, Ivet shares her personal experience, some practical coping practices, and everyday things we can all do to protect our mental health.

Tune in to listen to Warrior Mama Dami Quiñones as she shares her experience with her daughter as she prepares for brain surgery. Dr. Sucheta Joshi, Program Director and Pediatric Epileptologist at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, shares her insight with Dami on what to expect and other timely issues to help parents understand the urgency needed when dealing with a child or infant’s epilepsy diagnosis.

There is nothing more devastating than a mom having to bury their child, and that’s exactly what Kelsey Hau had to do when Warrior Baby Asher passed on from medical complications. Yet, Kelsey was able to summon incredible courage and compassion to make a decision that would be difficult, fulfilling and life changing.

Join us for this emotionally impactful conversation and learn how Kelsey transitioned from grieving mom to fierce advocate — all while keeping the strength of Baby Asher’s life at the center of inspiration for herself and others. There’s so much to learn from this brave mama and we invite you to learn more about grief, hope and service.

Our hosts, Kristie Griess and Dario Herrera, dive into the incredibly challenging and often devastating topic of pediatric epilepsy to reveal how Mickie’s Miracles came to be and the important role it plays in getting parents and children the support they need. 

In this touching episode, Kristie shares her personal journey with Mickie, the ups and downs, the uncertainty, the moments of hope and success, and the importance of the role that a Level IV Epilepsy Center played in saving Mickie’s life and keeping her seizure free for 8 years.