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

Five…Five feels like a milestone birthday, from when a little kid turns into, well…not a big kid, but a kid kid. Five is also creeping closer and closer to the age Benji's sister, Lorelei, was when she gained her angel wings. Birthdays are bittersweet when your child has a terminal diagnosis. For Benji, for Mamma, this birthday is worthy of celebration. And celebrate we did! Stay tuned while we discuss Benji's epic fifth birthday Dude Ranch Dressing celebration.

"So, they're walking around with a pony and a kid on it in a ranch dressing costume." - Suz

Here's what you don't want to miss:

• Benji turning 5
• Hidden Valley
• Bittersweet 5
• Piggy Love
• Friends
• Worth it?

Medical motherhood can feel overwhelming, questioning at times if the celebration is even noticed. We know how important it is to celebrate the milestones, inch stones, and make the memories. How do you make birthdays special? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We'd love to hear from you!

When Autumn Comes:

The Lavender Farm Episode

WAC Instagram

WAC Facebook Page

WAC Society Facebook Page

WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project

Apply for a Caregiver Package

4AM: Celebration and Rage

4AM is back! Today we are chatting about celebrations, rage, and child proofing AirBnB's. Welcome to the conversation!

Links and resources:

• Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
• Follow Katrina: @kattymac
• 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!

Medical motherhood can take its toll on you. The ups, the downs, the trauma, the lack of time for yourself…It is ok not to be ok. Even better, it is ok to ask for help. Today, Susan and Katrina sit down to discuss therapy. The hard, the good, their reasons for going. If you have ever been scared to ask for help, we hope this episode gives you the nudge to do it. As moms, we need to be our best to give our best to our children. Therapy is one of the tools that helps us to do that.

"Its not horrible because its so good and so rewarding."-Katrina

Here's what you don't want to miss:

• Finding a Therapist
• EMDR
• Therapy first date
• Do we enjoy therapy?
• Core of the onion
• Why we go

Medical motherhood can feel isolating, leaving you searching for answers and resources. We want you to know that it is ok to ask for help. Do you have the resources you need? Do you enjoy therapy? Do you treat yourself when you go? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We'd love to hear from you!

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

As we approach Father's Day, we welcome back Daniel for what has now become his annual holiday visit to the podcast. Daniel first spoke with us in 2022. Check out the link below to give the original interview a listen, I promise it's a good one. Since we last spoke, Daniel has been busy sharing his own story and helping other parent's to do the same. Today, we discuss the art and importance of storytelling. We see how the sharing of a story can bring together communities and help those who are isolated, feel less so. The stories we share are shared uniquely from our own perspective. When our children are unable to share their own stories, we are able, in a small way, to give a voice to the voiceless.

"For anyone who's thinking of sharing their story there is a benefit to you personally, even if you just shove that story in your dresser drawer and never show anybody."-Daniel

Here's what you don't want to miss:

• Lucas's trees
• Why we share
• Finding help and hope
• "For them"
• How to share
• What gives Daniel hope

Mentioned in this Episode:

Daniel's First interview with WAC

Daniel's Second interview with WAC

Global Genes

The Disorder Channel

Courageous Parents Network

Medical parenthood can feel isolating, leaving you searching for answers and resources. Daniel has shown us how sharing our stories helps us to connect with our community. Are you interested in learning more? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you!

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

Most parents can relate to the sense of losing themselves at least a little bit to parenthood. We leave behind our hobbies and dedicate ourselves to caring for these tiny humans who have taken up residence in our lives. Medical and special needs parenthood takes that to a different level. How do we maintain ourselves in the midst of this defining title of medical parent?

This week, we meet Elena. Elena is not only a medical mom, but also a fierce advocate and founder of a nonprofit. She has dedicated her time and skills to education and advocacy for the disability community. Elena introduces us to the topic of codependency in caregiving. She shows us that even as our lives change, we can maintain our sense of self and purpose outside of and along with our title of medical parent.

"If you hear people talking about their journey publicly, it doesn't mean we have this figured out. We're just living this out loud."-Elena

Here's what you don't want to miss:

• About Elena
• Xiomara
• Little Lobbyists
• Codependency Cliff Notes
• Letting Go
• Staying In Check
• Really good year?
• What gives Elena Hope

Medical motherhood can feel isolating, leaving you searching for answers and resources. We are so grateful for Elena and the work she has done to fill gaps in the community. Are you interested in learning more? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you!

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

Catch up with Elena:

Little Lobbyists

On Instagram

On Facebook

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.

For those of you who listened in on Season 5, I know you have been at the edge of your seats waiting for Season 6 to start! Season 5 sure was a nail biter, filled with exciting content. Can you sense the sarcasm? I had wonderful guests and lofty plans, but the weight of medical motherhood, running a nonprofit, and life in general certainly kept me from those plans. Don't lose hope though, the podcast is back and this time with backup!

Last season, we met Katrina. This season, we bring her back as co-host. Today, we get to hear more about the woman behind the microphone: her family, her hobbies, what makes Katrina, Katrina.

"It just made me feel less alone." -Katrina

Here's what you don't want to miss:

• Eliana

• Teenagers

• Relationships between children

• The diagnosis

• Just for fun

• What gives Katrina hope?

Medical motherhood can feel so isolating. It is exciting to connect with another mom and share in this journey with you all. Do you have questions for Katrina? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We would love to connect. Don't forget to check out Katrina's Season 5 episode.

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

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.

Amanda and Suz are talking about the latest encounter they have had with their amazing girls from Heaven.

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!

The internet is an interesting place. A place of connections, for both good and bad. A place for sharing knowledge, and a place for following people you have never met. Every now and again a creepy internet stalker turns out to be an actual really wonderful person. Every now and again, that really wonderful person turns into a friend. Enter Amanda.

This episode, we get to hear Amanda's story. Amanda is a fellow mito mom of a beautiful little girl who is now watching over her from heaven. She is also an expectant mother of a baby boy. Amanda shares with us her journey, from the grief of losing her daughter, to the celebration of learning she was having a son. We discuss how she manages the two opposing emotions and how she hopes to keep her daughter's memory alive.

"To live in celebration, that's unknown and foreign to me." -Amanda

Here are the details from Amanda and Susan's chat:

• Introducing Amanda

• Breaking all of the rules

• Telling the world

• Going in all directions

• Grief and joy together

• Impossible decisions

• Letting the legacy live on

Medical motherhood is one filled with unique and challenging decisions, as well as unique and challenging emotions, sometimes in opposition and at the same time. Amanda has so graciously shared her story with us today, and I hope that it has been helpful for someone at home. Can you relate to Amanda's story? 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.

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

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.

When "they" say this journey is a rollercoaster, guys, whoever "they" are, they aren't kidding. These past few months have brought struggles and hardship, along with moments of joy, and glimpses, twinklings, little birdies of hope. Suz is back for an update on life these days and why she has been radio silent on the podcast.

In this episode, we hear about how Suz took selfies with the president. More importantly, we get an update on Benji, and the state of the Apricity Hope Project. Suz talks about priorities and five year plans. Spoiler alert, nothing ever goes as planned. Sometimes you are surprised with how things turn out differently. Sometimes, you need to let go, just a little, in order to grow.

"I am not the only medical momma who is a control freak." --Suz

Here is the what Suz gets into today:

• Where are we now?

• White House

• Update on Benji

• Where does that leave Suz?

• For vs to

• What's going on with the podcast?

• Five year plan

Medical motherhood is all consuming. How do we take care of ourselves in the process of caring for our children? Do you have tips to do "for" you, instead of "to" you? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to re-connect.

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

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.

You've heard it before…medical parenting is not for the faint of heart, medical parenting is a roller coaster. With hospitalizations come tests, and fear, and pain. After discharge, the family processes everything that just happened, the "new normal". For some, this happens frequently. How do you manage the in-between hospital time, waiting for the next medical change?

Today, we meet Katrina. Katrina is a mom of three children, one of whom has medical complexities. Katrina shares with us what it looks like to manage her youngest child's medical complexities, while also parenting two teenagers. We discuss the ups and downs of repeat hospitalizations. We talk about how we all manage the trauma that comes from watching your child experience medical changes, tests, and treatments differently. While some struggle during the hospitalization, others crash once they are home, or in the anxiety of waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Every time you come home, you have to adapt again, and adapt again, and adapt again." -Katrina

Here are the details from Katrina and Susan's chat:

• Introducing Katrina

• Connecting

• Ellie

• Hospital Milestones

• Handling the re-admit

• The crash

• Recovery

• Advice

Medical motherhood is often filled with hills and valleys, which are often unpredictable. I hope that Katrina has given you a glimmer of hope when you are deep in a valley. Do you have questions for Katrina or advice for navigating this journey? 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

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.