Peeling Away the Layers to Reclaim Joy and Identity Autism with Mom Stephanie Gagnon Artwork

The Special Needs Mom Podcast

Think of this podcast as your very own special needs mom support group--except it's helpful and fun! You will leave with the hope that you can have a super happy life even when your life includes parenting a medically complex child or a child with something like autism and ADHD.

You likely didn't ask to be the parent of a disabled child or to live portions of your life in the hospital NICU or PICU. Your story is unique; it’s hard to find a place where you belong or where you don't feel so isolated and alone. Your child might have a rare disease, be undiagnosed or experience something that almost everybody has heard of like Downs syndrome yet the weird thing is that whether your child has an intellectual disability or physical disability, the experience as a mother is so similar. So regardless of your child’s disability, we can all find a home in this community.

You find yourself managing everybody else's needs; your child, their siblings, and all the guilt that you have about that. All this has you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and dizzy---not knowing who to turn to or what to do next for help. This podcast is your lifeline, you’ll find encouragement and inspiration as we connect to other moms’ journeys. We’ll get practical and look at what it takes to stop feeling so stuck in your life.

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The Special Needs Mom Podcast

Peeling Away the Layers to Reclaim Joy and Identity Autism with Mom Stephanie Gagnon

December 06, 2023 • Kara Ryska • Episode 175

0:00 | 57:07

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Experience a journey that navigates the thin line between despair and hope.

We open our hearts to you, sharing the intimate moments of fear and struggle, and the glimmers of hope that served as our lifeline. Feel the terror of entrusting our precious Ryan to a stranger's care, and the relief washing over us as we receive the invaluable support from those around us. Join us, as we recollect our journey from hardship to healing, resonating with strength, resilience, and most importantly, hope.

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Speaker 1 0:00

and that maybe there would be more of them was probably the first building block , was those glimmers of hope . They were truly just glimmers , little glimmers of hope . And then another thing I really remember is thank God for my daughter . She was a pretty joyful little girl at that point and I took an extended leave with Ryan for both my kids , but five months with Mia and six months with Ryan because of their circumstances and I went back very part time initially just to see a few kids , like two half days or two full days , and had a little home childcare . And I remember dropping him off terrified , terrified . But I remember the woman her name was Becky . I'll never forget her , her and her mom saying I promise I'll call you and you deserve these moments .