When Autumn Comes: Seasons of Hope for Medical + Disability Moms

As caregivers we are facing waves all the time. Waves of hope. Waves of grief. Waves of joy. Waves of sadness. Today we are taking five minutes of calm together to ride the waves.

Links and resources:

• Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
• Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
• Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
• WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.

Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.

And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!

We can all agree that medicine has come a long way in recent decades. Parents can now receive some diagnoses before their child is even born and receive treatments that didn't exist prior. Within our society, though there is still a lot of work to do, there have been changes as well. In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was signed into law (now known as the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act). This guaranteed access to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to every child with a disability. 1975 y'all…1975. That was less than 50 years ago. So, with that in mind, what was it like for families of children with special needs in the 1950's?

Rita, along with her daughter Lou, join us to share Bobby's story. Bobby was diagnosed with Down Syndrome after he was born, and after the doctors gave a less than glowing prognosis for what his life would look like. We hear about his birth, the reaction of the community, and the experience of sending him away to school. We hear the story of a full and fulfilling life that continues to impact those that he touched.

In this episode, we hear stories of physicians using language that is not used today. We hear nicknames that would now cause us to shudder. This was considered normal and generally accepted at the time. Rita discusses how this began to change during Bobby's life. By sharing his story, and what life was like when he was younger, we can see that advocacy, love, and passion of his family and others like them have laid the groundwork for improvements that we see today.

"Out of Bobby being born, I can relate to so many instances where things have evolved." -Rita

Here's what Rita and Lou shared that you do not want to miss:

• Introducing Rita and Lou (4:05)
• Bobby is born (5:36)
• Taking Bobby into the world (8:47)
• No school resources (12:05)
• Fun memories (15:49)
• Changes in acceptance (18:36)
• Getting a diagnosis (19:58)
• Leaving Bobby (22:05)
• Sticking up for Bobby (32:48)
• Advice from Rita (40:53)
• What gives Rita hope (41:39)

Special needs parenting has its challenges and its joys, no matter what decade you lived or are living through. I hope Rita has shown you that when looking back, you will have fun memories, right alongside the raw tear-filled ones. There is always love and there is always hope. Come visit us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you.

Catch up with Suz:

Instagram

When Autumn Comes:

WAC Instagram

WAC Facebook Page

WAC Society Facebook Page

Links and resources:

WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project

Lou's first When Autumn Comes visit

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4 am moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.

Let's take five calming minutes together this monday. You are exactly who your child needs. But it's also okay to take five minutes for you.

Links and resources:

• Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
• Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
• Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
• WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.

Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.

Claire is making a 4AM appearance this week. Suz asks about farming - since Claire proclaimed in the last episode that she knows very little about it and wants to do it the rest of her life… Then things get awkward when she informs us that she not only works a farm, runs a nonprofit where she sends care packages to people with chronic medical conditions, but she also sells monuments and tombstones… Yep. We go there. Welcome to the 4AM Mom Club.

Connect with Claire:

Instagram

Facebook

Chronically Beautiful

Email: [email protected]

Apply for a care package February 11!

Links and resources:

• Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
• Join the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245467847367923
• Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
• Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
• WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.

Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.

And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!

Hey there friend! I have a question. What would it mean to you to know that there is someone out there who understands firsthand what it means to live with a chronic illness? Not only understands, but has created a project with the sole purpose of spreading joy and hope to others living with similar life long illnesses. That would be pretty awesome, wouldn't it? Now, what if that person also just happens to be really kind and open about her health and how her illness has changed her family's life.

Today, we meet Claire. Claire shares with us her experience of caring for her mother. Not only caring for her mother, but then becoming the patient herself. We discuss the struggles and the joys, the ups and downs, and the connection she has forged with her family throughout the challenges. We chat about the day-to-day and how they manage to get through the rough times together.

"More than anything else, it's the people in your life that matter." -Claire

Here's the play-by-play of Suz and Claire's chat:

• Getting to know Claire (3:21)
• Becoming dependent (7:15)
• The people matter the most (12:50)
• Making the choice to stay (15:45)
• Family bonds (17:32)
• Reality (22:04)
• Chronically Claire (25:02)
• What gives Claire hope (34:10)

Chronic illness is a journey that is filled with ups and downs. It's a difficult and painful journey, but it's also one of hope. I hope that Claire has shown you that there are people rooting for you, who want to step up and lighten the load, with joy. Have you had the opportunity to share joy recently? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear about how this helped you.

Catch up with Suz:

Instagram

When Autumn Comes:

WAC Instagram

WAC Facebook Page

WAC Society Facebook Page

WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project

Apply for a Caregiver Package

Connect with Claire:

Instagram

Facebook

Chronically Beautiful

Email: [email protected]

Apply for a care package February 11!

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.

• No matter what, the people who love you are the most important
• Staying is a choice
• Reality can often be harsh, but there will always be hope

To kick off Apricity Hope Project's Take Five program, we are bringing it to the When Autumn Comes Podcast. Our goal is to give you five minutes, once a week, where you can just "be". Whether you are hiding in your bathroom, listening in the car, or laying in bed pretending to be asleep… try to take five minutes for yourself this week.

Links and resources:

• Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
• Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
• Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
• WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.

Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.

And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!

Diane joins Suz for the kick off 4AM of Season FOUR! And it's as random as usual. Sidenote: Do you wash your new clothes before wearing them?

Links and resources:

• Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
• Join the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245467847367923
• Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
• Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
• WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.

Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.

And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!

We've heard the rumors…Susan and Diane had a massive fight. Diane secretly quit the podcast. They aren't speaking and blocked each other on social media. Are the rumors true? Have Susan and Diane had a massive breakup? Surely there is some tea to be spilled here. So what's the deal?

Today, Diane is back. It is time to dispel some rumors and catch up. Where has Diane been all this time? What's going on in her life? What has changed with Suz since they last spoke on the podcast? Are they speaking in real life? What is going on with the Apricity Hope Project? That was a lot of questions…The girls have a lot of answers.

Get ready to take a deep dive into what Diane has been up to. We get to hear updates on Selah and whether they are any closer to a diagnosis. We hear about Benji and how Susan is doing in therapy. The girls discuss the direction of the podcast in the future. Buckle up, it's going to be a ride.

Here's what Diane and Suz discuss. You don't want to miss this.

• Welcome back Diane (5:44)
• What's new? (8:02)
• Stuck in limbo (15:37)
• Benji (20:06)
• EMDR therapy (21:44)
• Grounding techniques (29:29)
• Apricity Hope (31:49)
• You should be better by now (42:33)

Medical motherhood is a journey. A journey that sometimes feels like a rollercoaster. Sometimes a good roller coaster, with great views and a best friend by your side. Other times, the stomach in your throat, just lost your cell phone on a loop-de-loop roller coaster. You never know how the day will go, but we hope we are building a community of friends who are riding alongside you, ready to help fix your hair and dig your phone out of the bushes after a bad roller coaster day. Join our community over at When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to have you join us for the ride.

**Care(Giver) Package Application opens 1/20! Watch AHP on social for the link!**

Catch up with Suz:

Instagram

www.suzgeoghegan.com

When Autumn Comes:

WAC Instagram

WAC Facebook Page

WAC Society Facebook Page

WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4AM Moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.

As we wrap up a year, one of my favorite guests is back for a visit. Daniel Defabio is back on the show to catch up and tell us about his newest project - a "late night style" show for those who are part of our medically complex, disabled community.

Additionally, I realized that I did not explain the changed that When Autumn Comes has faced - so I dish a bit about that a couple times today.

"What makes us angry? What do we need people to know? We're not complaining, we're just explaining and we emphasize there's plenty of good stuff in our lives too, but we don't need to fix the good stuff." -Daniel

Connect with Daniel:

On instagram @disorderrarediseasefilms

https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Catch up with Suz:

Instagram

www.suzgeoghegan.com

When Autumn Comes:

WAC Instagram

WAC Facebook Page

WAC Society Facebook Page

WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4AM Moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.

We are not sponsored by Starbucks but we would be thrilled if they were interested in partnering with two exhausted medical, rare disease mamas who trive on peppermint mochas and survive on caffiene. Suz and Brittany bond over coffee during this 4AM bonus content.

Links and resources:

• Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
• @evie.thing.setd5 on instagram
• Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
• Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
• Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast

Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.

And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!