In this holiday-themed episode 16, we welcome Regan Reeder back to the podcast to discuss the complexities of celebrating the holidays with a medically fragile child. She recounts their many holiday experiences with her daughter, Myka, and covers practical tips for traveling with special medical needs while emphasizing the significance of emergency preparedness. Richie and Regan discuss family challenges, essential packing tips, dietary restrictions, and the importance of support from family and friends. The discussion touches on empathy, understanding, and the significance of creating joyful memories despite the challenges. If your goal is to be present and supportive with your family over the holidays, then you’ll be greatly encouraged by Regan’s words!

Regan Reeder is a co-founder of Pressing On and currently a K-12 Cyber Special Education Facilitator. She’s always an advocate for the outsider and on the lookout for helpful, inclusive practices, especially for those with special needs.  As a medical momma who’s experienced her daughter’s long road to recovery from liver transplant, Regan’s passionate about resourcing other transplant families. She’ll be spending lots of time watching the Hallmark Channel here over the holidays and enjoying family time making memories with Richie, Alivia and Myka.

Links & Resources:

SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA).  https://cota.org

In Episode 15, Garret and Tara Welsh share about their journey of resilience as they faced the challenges of their son Theo's diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The conversation delves into their personal backgrounds, the emotional impact of the diagnosis, the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic, and the invaluable support they received from family and friends during this difficult time.

In this heartfelt conversation filled with faith, Garret and Tara share their journey through the challenges of their son Theo's birth and subsequent medical issues. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster of waiting for surgery, the importance of having a routine while navigating uncertainty, and the necessity of self-care during stressful times. In episode 15, don't miss the Welsh family's valuable insights for those dealing with a CDH diagnosis and traveling for healthcare!

Garret and Tara Welsh have been married for 11 years and they have 3 active boys: Bennet,
Theo and Zeke. Their family resides in Irwin, PA where Garret is a Union Carpenter and Tara has a background in healthcare. They’re very active at Reclamation Church and love spending time out on the lake.

SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA).  https://cota.org

In Episode 14, Charity and Mike McKinney share their heartfelt journey as parents navigating the challenges of pediatric transplant for their daughter Annabelle, who was born with propionic acidemia. They discuss their early struggles with infertility, the shock of Annabelle's diagnosis, and the emotional rollercoaster of hospital stays and medical decisions. You'll enjoy listening to the McKinneys celebrate Annabelle's growth and development post-transplant, emphasizing the importance of focusing on her strengths and embracing their unique family dynamics.  They emphasize the importance of their faith throughout the conversation and the need for active involvement in their child's care. Mike and Charity discuss the balance between family life and caregiving, the significance of humor during tough times, and the necessity of preparing for the long-term challenges of a transplant journey.This southern couple from North Carolina will make you feel at home right away with their openness and vulnerable story.  If you're a parent of a child with propionic acidemia or find yourself on the journey of transplant, you don't want to miss this episode!
Links & Resources:

SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). https://cota.org

In Episode 13 we welcome Jen Lau, a dedicated advocate and mother who shares her journey navigating the complexities of her son Nathan's diagnosis of biliary atresia.  After Nathan's diagnosis, he underwent a life-saving liver transplant at nine months from a living donor.  Jen recounts the logistical challenges her family faced, the emotional toll of the diagnosis and the critical role of community support.  You’ll enjoy listening to Jen’s openness about the need for parental grace and she talks about their unique journey towards finding a living donor for Nathan's liver transplant.

This transformative experience ignited Jen’s passion for advocacy in pediatric liver disease and transplantation. She has since held leadership positions in several organizations, including the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) and the Starzl Network.  In January 2022, she helped found BARE, Inc. (Biliary Atresia Research & Education) in order to support families affected by biliary atresia.

Jen combines her expertise in business management and human resources with her advocacy efforts, while she is also pursuing her Master’s in Public Health. She lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband and two children.

Links & Resources:

SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). https://cota.org

In Episode 12, we chat with transplant parent Sarah Vargas, whose daughter Rosie was born with a rare metabolic condition called Maple Syrup Urine Disease, a sometimes fatal condition in which the body is unable to process certain proteins. Sarah and her husband Tony have navigated two pediatric liver transplants for Rosie, relocating to Pittsburgh in 2015 for specialized care at Children’s Hospital.

Originally from California, Sarah holds a bachelor’s in marketing and an MBA. She’s also a former board member of Transplant Families, an organization that supports families on the transplant journey by providing inspiration, support, and education. Married for over 10 years, Sarah and Tony have three wonderful children.

Join us as Sarah shares her family’s inspiring journey, the challenges of relocating for Rosie’s care, the resilience it takes to persevere through multiple transplants and the importance of mental health before, during, and after transplant. You won’t want to miss it!

Links & Resources:

SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA).

In Episode 11, we’re privileged to welcome Dr. George Mazariegos, Chief of Pediatric Transplantation at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.  Dr. Mazariegos has had the unique distinction of overseeing and participating in over 1,000 pediatric transplants throughout the years.  He’s literally a life-changing leader and skilled surgeon.  Even with such phenomenal experience and expertise, he’s one of the most humble and insightful leaders you’ll meet.  In this conversation with Richie Reeder, Dr. George discusses his personal call to medicine, the evolution of pediatric transplant surgery over the past several decades, and the importance of long-term care for his patients. The conversation highlights the influence of Dr. Thomas Starzl, whom Mazariegos trained under in the late 1980’s.  Dr. Mazariegos shares personal anecdotes about his family and faith, as well as insights on the future of pediatric transplantation, the role of patient-centered outcomes, and the importance of perseverance for families navigating the transplant journey.  Don’t miss this personal and unique interview!

A leading figure in the field of pediatric transplantation, Dr. George Mazariegos is Chief of Pediatric Transplantation at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, the Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation and at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute. He’s also a professor at the University of Pittsburgh in the departments of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine. He and his colleagues founded the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplantation where he serves as Chairman and leads the network’s overall efforts.  He and his family reside in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA.

Links & Resources:

SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA).

In Episode 10, we welcome Katherine Sikma Wadsworth to share about her inspiring journey of perseverance here in October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Katherine shares her entire journey of diagnosis, long grueling hours of chemo, a double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery. We cover topics like what it feels like to hear the word cancer in your mid thirties, how she befriended her body during this time, and how friends and family can hold space for you in a helpful way while you battle cancer.  This is such a helpful and vulnerable conversation you're not going to want to miss!

Katherine is a leadership coach, organizational development consultant, and host of the "You Gotta Try This" podcast, where she shares things that bring connection, beauty, and delight. She's a graduate of Calvin University, where she studied communication, psychology, and gender.  She holds master's degrees in higher education and leadership from Geneva College and Duquesne University. Katherine serves on the teaching team at Christ Community Church of the South Hills and is passionate about empowering others and helping them to understand their place in God's kingdom. She lives in Mount Lebanon, PA, just south of Pittsburgh with her husband, David.

Links & Resources:

In Episode 9, we welcome Melissa McQueen, the president and co-founder of Transplant Families. After her youngest son received a heart transplant in 2009, Melissa found herself searching for a support that was devoted solely to pediatric transplant families and that was accessible to all who needed it. When she didn’t find the resources she was seeking, she brought together fellow caregivers to build the community they wanted to have.

Listen in as Melissa recounts the emotional challenges of discovering her son Dylan's need for a heart transplant. Through her story, she offers a raw and honest glimpse into the emotional and logistical hurdles faced by families navigating the complex world of pediatric organ transplantation.  We talk through the pivotal moments, including the family's decision-making process in choosing a transplant center and the life-altering call about a donor heart. Melissa opens up about the impact of the transplant on family dynamics, finances, and mental health, highlighting the critical role of medical professionals and loved ones.  Her passion for advocacy shines through, as she shares stories of how parental voices can influence medical advancements and policies.  Join us as we celebrate the resilience of families, like the McQueen’s, who are navigating the transplant journey!

Links & Resources:

SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA).  

In episode 8 of the Pressing On Podcast, we hear from Clay and Lauren Buckwalter! The Buckwalters have experienced several difficult trials personally, including seeing their daughter spend nearly a week in the NICU at West Penn Hospital when she was born. Their experience has led them to partnering with Pressing On in creative ways, including using Clay’s upcoming Pittsburgh Marathon to care for hospitalized families. They both talk through their family's hospital experience, share how they navigated the NICU and why they're using Clay's Run to support the work that Pressing On does with hospitalized families. Listen in to this inspiring episode!

Clay is a Personal Trainer & Health Coach, with a degree in Exercise Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Lauren earned her teaching degree from Liberty University and currently teaches Middle School Science virtually for CCA. The Buckwalters have been married for 8 years and reside in Irwin, PA with their two kids, Roby and Blake.

SUPPORT CLAY'S RUN: https://www.pressingon.org/claysrun

PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically!

FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.PressingOn.org⁠⁠⁠

MUSIC: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bensound.com