In this profoundly moving episode of The Sad Moms, Ishani welcomes Adrien, who shares the deeply emotional journey of parenting her son Jacob, who was originally diagnosed with Autism at age three and later found to have Sanfilippo Syndrome at age ten. Adrien reflects on her bond with Jacob, who is a happy, easygoing child. She recounts the struggle of watching him gradually lose his abilities and the fight to provide him the best care and support, including early intervention programs and various therapies.

Adrien also delves into the bittersweet diagnosis of Sanfilippo Syndrome, describing the heartbreak of discovering that Jacob had a condition with no cure and a limited life expectancy. She discusses the emotional turmoil of his final months, the decision to begin hospice care, and the transition from fighting for his life to coming to being told he would lose his life at age fourteen. Throughout, Adrien highlights the love, strength, and joy Jacob brought into their lives, despite his challenges.

She candidly shares the impact of this loss on her identity, her family dynamics, and her efforts to cope with grief, such as finding solace in daily walks and looking for signs from Jacob. Adrien's story is a heartfelt tribute to her son and an intimate look at the enduring pain and love of a grieving mother surviving her first year of grief. Join us as she honors Jacob’s memory and navigates the complexities of life after his passing.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:
Instagram: @thesadmoms_
TikTok: @thesadmoms

In this deeply emotional episode of The Sad Moms, Ishani is joined by her husband and Sad Dad, Ram,  as they explore the profound impact of losing their son, Rylan. The conversation delves into the unique challenges and experiences of being a caregiver and grieving father. Ram opens up about his close, daily relationship with Rylan, detailing the routine and responsibilities that defined his role as both a dad and caregiver. He shares how Rylan's life profoundly changed him, from his personal growth in patience and organization to the joy he found in caregiving tasks. They discuss the loneliness and unique emotional struggles fathers face in grieving, the lack of societal support for grieving dads, and how finding connections with other bereaved fathers has been a crucial but bittersweet comfort. Additionally, they address the cultural challenges they encountered as South Asian parents, shedding light on the emotional isolation imposed by cultural stigmas. Despite the overwhelming sorrow and anger, they emphasize the importance of maintaining Rylan’s legacy through acts of kindness and nurturing, striving to find some meaning and connection in a world without their beloved son. This powerful discussion offers a raw, unfiltered look at grief, resilience, a father’s love for his son, and the enduring bonds of family.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:
Instagram: @thesadmoms_
TikTok: @thesadmoms

In this episode of The Sad Moms Podcast, we sit down with Chalon, who shares her deeply personal journey following the tragic loss of her son Cartier who died due to a drowning accident just a month before his 5th birthday. Chalon navigates through the emotional landscape of grief, touching on her experiences as a black woman, the coping mechanisms she's developed, pregnancy after loss, and how she continues to care for her living daughter while preparing for a new baby. She also opens up about the supportive community resources that have helped her along the way and her plans to honor Cartier's memory through a new nonprofit organization: GROW. Join us for a poignant and inspiring conversation filled with resilience, love, and hope.

Chalon's non-profit organization, GROW, is still in the works! Stay tuned here for more information. 

Los Angeles Community Resources mentioned by Chalon in this episode:

Our House Grief Support Center: https://www.ourhouse-grief.org/ 

Taking Time: https://www.takingtime.org/  

Los Angeles County Library: https://lacountylibrary.org/  

Harbor Interfaith: https://www.harborinterfaith.org/  

Salvation Army: https://losangelescentral.salvationarmy.org/  

The Abundant Birth Project: https://abundantbirthproject.org/ 

City of Inglewood: https://www.cityofinglewood.org/1650/Parks-Recreation-Community-Services 

STEM Festival- Inglewood: https://sciencesport.org/inglewood-stem-fest/ 

 Los Angeles Urban League: https://laul.org/  

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:
Instagram: @thesadmoms_
TikTok: @thesadmoms

In this episode of The Sad Moms, we explore the significance of Bereaved Mother's Day and share ways for bereaved mothers to feel closer to their children who have died. Founded in 2010 by Carly Marie Dudley, this day honors mothers who have experienced child loss. We discuss personal rituals, support systems, and provide recommendations for friends and family on how to offer meaningful support. This episode also touches on the emotional realities of living with child loss and offers practical advice on coping mechanisms and how to maintain a connection with our children who have crossed over. Join us to better understand the complexities of the grief bereaved mothers experience. If you are not a bereaved parent, join us in learning how to support bereaved mothers in your life.

Help us spread awareness about grief. 
Please remember to subscribe, rate, review, and share this podcast with as many people as you can!
Follow the show at @thesadmoms

In this episode of The Sad Moms, we talk with Nohea, a fellow sad mom who faced the unbearable loss of her two children, Kalea and Noah, to medulloblastoma, a rare form of pediatric brain cancer. Nohea opens up about the lives of her kids, their tight-knit sibling bond, and their courageous battle with cancer. She recounts their diagnoses, treatment processes, and the heart-wrenching reality of watching both children succumb to the disease. Nohea shares how life has been navigating grief, the mechanisms she and her husband use to cope, and how they strive to keep their children's memories alive. This episode is a profound exploration of love, loss, and Nohea's relentless pursuit of honoring the lives of her beautiful children through advocacy. 

Help us spread awareness about grief. 
Please remember to subscribe, rate, review, and share this podcast with as many people as you can!
Follow the show at @thesadmoms

In this episode of The Sad Moms, Courtney joins us to share the story of her son, Alexander, who died from Diffuse Anaplastic Wilms Tumor which is a type of pediatric kidney cancer. Reflecting on Alexander's joyful and resilient spirit despite his neurodiverse challenges, Courtney delves deep into the struggles and small joys of daily life with him- “the little things.” The conversation touches on the intense experience of caring for a child with cancer, the inadequacies of the healthcare system, and the profound isolation and numbness that follow a child's death. Both moms discuss the toll on their physical and mental health, the societal discomfort and anxiety around complicated grief, and the importance of finding individual pathways through unimaginable loss. This episode is a raw and honest exploration of parental grieving, life after losing a child, resilience, and the search for purpose after tragedy.

Help us spread awareness about grief. 
Please remember to subscribe, rate, review, and share this podcast with as many people as you can!
Follow the show at @thesadmoms

Welcome to the first episode of The Sad Moms! On today's episode your host, Ishani, will be sharing her story about the unexpected and sudden loss of her 8-year-old son, Rylan. Rylan was born with a rare brain disease and Ishani talks about what life is like as a medical parent navigating the health care industry. She also shares about the very painful and traumatic day that Rylan died, and what it's been like for her throughout the grief process. 

Please remember to subscribe, rate, review, and share this podcast with as many people as you can!
Follow the show at @thesadmoms

Welcome to The Sad Moms. This is a space for grieving parents where we can be open and honest about our grief. In each episode, we’ll have raw, heartfelt conversations with other parents who have experienced unimaginable loss. Together, we’ll share our stories, talk about the things only we truly understand, and honor our kids. If you have ever felt alone in your grief, know that you’re not. We’re here, we’re listening, and we’re here to build community. 

We hope you stay a while. Have a day!