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A Contagious Smile Podcast
Stop surviving and start thriving. A Contagious Smile is a globally ranked podcast providing a safe haven for abuse survivors and special needs families navigating the journey of trauma recovery. Whether you are healing from domestic violence, narcissistic abuse, childhood trauma, or the daily challenges of disability advocacy, our mission is to turn your pain into power.
Each episode features raw, authentic conversations with survivors, mental health experts, and advocates who share actionable resources for PTSD healing, resilience building, and emotional wellness. We go beyond the struggle to highlight the triumphs of the special needs community, offering support for caregivers and individuals with disabilities who are rewriting their own narratives.
Hosted by Victoria Cuore, an award-winning trauma advocate and survivor, this podcast delivers the "blueprints" for recovery—not just Band-Aids. Join our community to find hope, humor, and the unstoppable spirit needed to rekindle your inner light.
A Contagious Smile Podcast
From Courts to Courses: Empowering Transformations and Podcasting
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What does it take to start anew and shed the past? Let's explore the courageous journey of our daughter Faith, who took the brave step of changing her first name and removing her biological father’s name from her birth certificate, reaching a poignant climax in a courtroom with her heartfelt poem that even brought the judge to tears. Meanwhile, we laugh about Faith's newfound penchant for colorful language, which has added an unexpected layer of humor to our family tapestry. Amidst tales of personal growth and resilience, we also share our excitement and challenges in launching the Podcast Growth Academy, an initiative born out of our experiences growing a podcast business without relying on an outsourced marketing team.
Discovering the secrets to podcast startup success without professional marketing help has not been easy. But our journey has taught us valuable lessons, and now we're eager to share our knowledge through new courses on podcasting skills, social media, and content creation strategies. In candid conversations, we also tackle the real-life frustrations of cyber-stalking and how we’ve developed resilience to overcome negativity. Through humor and intimate storytelling, we aim to inspire other couples to embrace podcasting and confidently navigate the social media world, underlining the importance of enjoying quality time with loved ones in the process.
Amidst all these adventures, we celebrate Stucco's third birthday with stories of his lovable antics as a service dog, and share heartwarming exchanges about family life, societal perceptions of pit bulls, and Valentine's Day plans. A surprise message from Lou Diamond Phillips adds a delightful twist, leading to a playful discussion about dream celebrity messages. We don't shy away from advocating for special needs children, highlighting systemic challenges and calling for a more empathetic healthcare system. Join us for a tapestry of love, laughter, and insights, crafted to leave you with warmth and inspiration.
howdy y'all. Welcome to another episode of a contagious smile unstoppable with your sexy lovely vixen victoria curey, who's the author of at least four books, grief, so y'all be sure to check them out. Her first book, a memoir by her called who kicked first? And follow-up prequel nart nart, who's there? Y'all go check those out on amazonup. Prequel Nart Nart, who's there? Y'all go check those out on Amazon. Who Kicked First? And Nart Nart, who's there? Without any further ado, here's my lovely soulmate, my awesome sauce wife Victoria. What have you done Nothing? What have you done Nothing? I cook dinner and that's it.
Speaker 2He's a happy man because I am a happy man.
Speaker 1I'm married to you, woman.
Speaker 2You're a happy man because on Thursday yes. Faith changed her name, her first name. We're not going to release. We are going to say that she changed her first name, but she is still going to remain Faith to going to say that, um, she changed her first name, but she is going to remain faith to everybody who knows her, uh, worldwide, we're going to keep her name there, but she changed her name. And then an extra special little treat was what? What was that? Go Go ahead, tell them. No, this is your thing, go ahead.
Speaker 1Can we say this so the POS bio father was removed from her birth certificate and I was put in the stead.
Speaker 2In the stead. In the stead, in the stead, yes. So the rights were terminated, so dads, it is, is possible.
Speaker 1How cool is that Mom give yourself a pat.
Speaker 2So she wanted a completely fresh start. She wanted nothing to do With Anything that has to do With that piece of Shish kebab or the? Um narcissistic grandparents. So she wanted to no longer have my maiden name, and so we did that. And even though from day one, I've always told her that Michael is the only person who would ever be familiar to her, the only deed she's ever known, it's officially done on paper, even though it was done in our hearts a day ago.
Speaker 1So and I don't know what this is, but y'all she has. The floodgates have opened up. This little girl went from sweet innocent.
Speaker 2Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1Potty mouth the most I don't know seasoned veteran sailor I've ever heard.
Speaker 2I think what was that guy? Andrew Dice Clay? I think she could give him a run. Oh yeah, you don't remember Andrew Dice Clay. You're going to have to look him up later. He was like an Eddie Murphy like raw. But you know, he was like an Eddie Murphy raw, but he was like a New Yorker comedian who talked a whole bunch of crap and so, yeah, he was always like how you doing, how you doing. Well, anyway, she could give Eddie Murphy a win. I mean seriously.
Speaker 1He has been coming up with some good.
Speaker 2And then, like today she she said, oh, I'm in the mood for a cheeseburger. So I said, well, let's go get you one. And every time she opened that mouth it was some nasty raunchy and I was like listen. And I was like, oh my god, and she goes. That's what she said. And I said, where are you getting this dad? And I was like dad does not talk like this around you, like no, no, and I mean she just thought she was a downright little riot. I mean it was just like hysterical. And I'm like no, no, no, no, no, no, no more. That's what she said.
Speaker 1It's really. She is hilarious and y'all. She has written some beautiful poems.
Speaker 2She had you crying in the judge's chamber.
Speaker 1I think the judge was about to cry.
Speaker 2The judge did have tears I had a little bit of pollen. There was not a little. I have it on a video. It was not a little.
Speaker 1Our daughter stopped the judge and said can I read a poem?
Speaker 2That I wrote.
Speaker 1During the, you know, the signing of the papers and all this, and it was a good, special moment, very special.
Speaker 2It was so sweet. Then she had to add her little, what I call stucco touch to it by being like you've always been my dad and my mom's lover and I'm like, there it is, there it is.
Speaker 1So forgive us for last week. We were under the weather.
Speaker 2Coughing our heads off.
Speaker 1We still got a little nagging dry cough. So, podcasting Y'all need to know how to podcast, you need to get on a website.
Speaker 2Hold on now, Hoss.
Speaker 2It's not linked to the website yet. I am only one person with one hand doing all this. However, within the next 72 hours, you can go to our Facebook page or any of our other platforms and I will explain how to start going and looking at our brand new podcast Powerhouse and Growth Academy. My goal is to be offering a new class of some sort a week. I've been doing this by myself. It's a lot of work.
Speaker 2Can I say a lot, a lot, a lot Of work, and it's going to give you the opportunity, because I have no idea I can't even begin to tell you how many classes and courses and training I've gone through over the years. Ridiculous amounts. The money it costs is ridiculous. I have learned what works and what doesn't, and if you look at our numbers, we have remained. We were in the top 1% for a year and a half and then, when we almost lost faith because our focus was where it was supposed to be, but we put out you know we have three different podcasts and they've all remained in the top 2% to 3%, even after all, this is happening and so, for instance, the last one that you and I put out got how many?
Speaker 1for the hacking episode right, it was around 4.2 million, yeah, and that's not.
Speaker 2That's not views folks, that's listen score yeah that's, that's what downloads no, those are totally separate so it's just listen yeah, and the thing is that we have learned what works and what doesn't.
Family Dynamics and Podcast Growth
Speaker 2My husband just y'all, so I'm sorry because he just got media on but we've learned what works and what doesn't, and I have had the pleasure of working with incoming podcasters to designing logos and marketing and social media content and watching people I've helped just skyrocket with their numbers and we know it works. And so to know that you have the ability to have really more one-on-one, hands-on training to get you to where you want to be, you could either spend what $50 here, $75 there, $100 here but let me tell you how quickly that adds up. It adds up so quickly or you can learn from us, and we've done it. You know our numbers speak for themselves. My husband is sitting right here with me. He'll tell you we have never had a marketing team. They can't read your head shake no, I'm shaking my head.
Speaker 1No, y'all we have not. I'm looking at my marketing team right now we've never had any outsource assistance.
Speaker 2We have never had any outsourced um assistance with our growth of any kind. Um, and we learn what works and hasn't. And, believe me, there have been some frustrated times. There has been some you know, I want to just put my head in a pillow and just scream times, but we now think we pretty much got it down pat. Um, everything is. You know, nothing is going to be the exact number every time, but we went from zero to millions and we want to help others learn how to do that the right way as well so okay.
Speaker 1So the contagious smile has blossomed from zero to me in just just under four years well, I've been doing a contagious smile for 19 right, but we haven't been.
Speaker 2It's been three years three years. Yes, so within 72 hours from now this releases tomorrow at 5 am, so it'll technically be you'll have your courses out there tuesday, so let's say by end of day friday okay, your math and my math is well, mine's legitimate.
Speaker 2Okay, let me teach you a new thing here. Okay, this goes live on a calendar, say tuesday at 5 am and we're doing three days. So wednesday, thursday, right. But I said let's just give it to friday end of business day. That way, all the time you know time changes and all that it'll be on then. So let's just say end of business Friday.
Speaker 1Easter Standard Time all right, so we got it. We want to learn how to podcast. We're going to go to a contagious smile, we're going to jump on a course and we're going to learn it.
Speaker 2You see, men, do not listen, go back. And I said wait and see, and it'll be on our facebook website, it'll be on um all the other platforms. I haven't linked to our website yet. I have been able to get to this. One woman, one arm, one person doing all this. Well, you can take my bionic nub and you know.
Speaker 1Excuse me.
Speaker 2Yeah, thanks, you're welcome. It's all out of love, and not only are we doing podcasts, but we're teaching you how to like appropriately interview, how to get the right guests, how to do social media growth, when to post, when not to post, content creation, those kind of things, anything that's in the social media realm. You know how to really bring out and make videos and content and posts that will grab a hold, how to, you know, link up with other people. Things like that really are what makes it, and we have all the insights and we are going to help you along the way.
Speaker 1So Hopefully we can inspire more couples like us.
Speaker 2There's not many couples like us.
Speaker 1I mean, you know how we are. We just sit down and talk. There's nothing we have that's scripted. My wife may read some article about. You know a school shooting or an officer down or something to that effect, just to get some you know spice up in here. Could we need help with spice? You quit yawning, it's your fault. So yeah, that's why you see more couples like us enjoying each other, podcasting. You know Some quality time with your significant other.
Speaker 2Well, I just would like to say Hodel Lethfield, and just would like to say Hodel left field, and I'm going to say it.
Speaker 1Is it politics?
Speaker 2No, no, I didn't even know who was in the Super Bowl until after it was over.
Speaker 1Some football players.
Speaker 2Right, but I'm just glad that Taylor Swift's team lost, because her boyfriend's in it. They kept doing a show on her, supposedly, and everybody was booing her. Is this the left field you were talking about?
Speaker 1No.
Speaker 2Anyway, I just want to say I'm going to wait until my husband finishes taking a sip of his beverage because I don't want him to spew that on me. I just want to say to a few people shame on you, shame on you, and that's what I'm going to say, because let me tell you something when you have the heart and the tenacity, someone who's as amazing as Faith, and you want to be an absolute piece of shit and you know who you are, you know who you are. I don't even have to call you out. You know what. It doesn't phase me. For years and years and years it did. It really phased me, it bothered me, poured me into pieces. No, because you know what Shame on you.
Speaker 2I have a cyber stalker Actually, I knew this for a fact. Who knew this for a fact who just is trying to sop up everything with a biscuit, and that's fine. But you know what Shame on you. You have to look at yourself in the mirror and say that beautiful girl who has done nothing but try to love you. And when you were informed that she was in complete organ failure, your head was up your ass. She was in complete organ failure. Your head was up your ass when things don't go your way and you try to place blame on someone else because you can't even hold yourself accountable. Shame on you. It's your loss, and this doesn't just reflect to one individual person.
Speaker 2Well, I'd have to use my husband's hands, because there's quite a few of you shameless little bastards out there that didn't even have the audacity or the niceness to even say wow. That's such an amazing news. Yet when you stump your toe, the whole world has to stop rotating because you can't find the right open toe shoe to walk around in, because the heel is up your ass. That's all I'm gonna say. You know, I'm actually grateful that you didn't pull the phone out of your ass and reach out, because it wouldn't have been heartfelt, it would have been bullshit, and because of that, it just showed your true colors more and more. And I know you're cyber stalking. I know because we have ways of finding out and it's on both sides of our family that we have this. And we know and I'm going to let my husband say something in a minute which would just thoroughly impress me and all I can do now is I love you.
Speaker 1I'm proud of you. I'm very proud of you because you said this has poured me up for years and you're letting it go. You're flipping that switch, so to speak.
Speaker 2So I'm very proud of you and how do you feel about certain people who didn't even reach out to oh?
Speaker 1exactly. Shame on you. What, what, how selfish can you be? We're talking about blood family. Yeah, both sides Reach out and ask about your kin now, your daughter, your granddaughter, yeah, your niece, yeah.
Speaker 2Your. So, I mean, it's on both sides.
Speaker 1But we do lead a stress-free life. So I mean, it's on both sides, but we do lead a stress-free life. Yes, you know, a drama-free, you know, especially around the holidays. We don't have to deal with that nonsense.
Speaker 2So Okay, that's our left field for tonight y'all, yeah, but I'm proud that you're actually talking about the fact it's on your side too, yeah.
Speaker 1And we're done with that. So, in fact, it's on your side too, yeah, and we're done with that. So your loss, our gain, that's right. No, it's really their loss. No, wait, it's their loss Because this is such a wonderful kid. Our faith has done incredible things in the short time that she's been here on Earth that far surpassed what they've done in their entire life. Are we?
Speaker 2talking on my side, your side or both?
Speaker 1both okay, and you know other people too, but you know, I love our daughter. She's, she's, she's the best, she, she makes me happy, she, she makes me laugh. You know, she's so freaking, raunchy and hilarious. She's her mini me. She's so beautiful, uh, she acts just like my wife, she acts just like me, um, and and I tell all the time I said, girl, you're getting more like me. All the time, you know I have to cry in shame, but I think I ruined her and she goes damn, right, right, damn.
Speaker 2It's so funny because if anybody says anything about you, she's like the only person who can make fun of my dad is me, that's it. Anybody else gets me. And I was like you know, you think you're an angel? She's like no, my halo is held up by horns. I mean, her timing is impeccable. It really is. I mean, she's got it down, you know, to the moment. She, she's just amazing and the inspiration and strength that she brings to light, you know, is so. I mean, it just makes you want to be a better person.
Speaker 2So many people, even in the medical community, who has met her over the years, is just literally like better for knowing her. You know, I remember she had a surgery and she had to be like seven, seven and a half, and we were leaving day surgery. We're walking and somebody's like hey, when's your surgery? She's like I'm done, I'm out of here. And then we heard this little boy crying and they she asked what was wrong and the little boy was scared, he was going in for surgery and she asked the parents if she could talk to him and she did. She went in there and she's like I just had surgery, I'm done, I'm leaving, you've got to walk in the park. It's no big deal. And he was.
Speaker 2And then she was like, let me tell you what to do. She was like when you get home, you make mom and dad wait on you hand and foot and you make them, like, rub your feet and rub your back and you know, make you a warm bath and give you lots of ice cream, and you know, whatever you want, you watch your favorite movies and milk it, and I mean. And then he just kind of smiled. He was so cute. And that's just who she is. She always wants to help other people, but then stupid blankety blanks just want to use her for whatever they can, and then you know, they go about themselves until they need something again and that's when they, uh, come back around so I was reminiscing about how, the times that I rubbed her feet, I've got video while she's laying in the house, hey, I did something so out of character for me.
Speaker 2I got a pedicure with her and let her pick the color and I begged and she was like nope, come on, mom, we're gonna do it. I have black toes, and she was so excited that we painted our toes black, which is so out of character for me and she just thought it was the coolest thing ever. That's just you know, it's what we do as parents. I mean, you are gay pride nails. I was very proud of you. I didn't wear them intentionally, y'all. Well, she put them on you in your sleep.
Speaker 1Yeah.
Speaker 2Yeah, and we're still finding leftovers. Yeah, she's like I should have used the glue, not the press on.
Speaker 1So while y'all are on Amazon perusing my wife's books, be sure to pick up her book by Faith. How's her name in there?
Speaker 2Kure.
Speaker 1Solomon Faith Kure, solomon, yeah, and I don't know why I forgot that. So her book is called, or one of her five books called I Am Kitten Dad's Girl and Dang Proud of it, so y'all get that.
Celebrating Stucco's Birthday and Future Plans
Speaker 2And then I have to give a shout out. Have to. Tomorrow or today, as this is released is my baby's birthday. Oh my God, it's Stucco's birthday. He's so cute. He's so cute. I'm looking. There's Stucco turns three. He's so cute, I'm looking. There's Stucco turns three. He's so cute. He's got a bow tie for his birthday he'll be wearing. He's got a birthday little toy he's gonna take around with him in his mouth and birthday treats and then some birthday presents. And I will be taking videos and pictures with my sweet boy who is just the best.
Speaker 2Stucco is my service and my husband's a little bit, because it's hysterical if I, no matter what, when I'm working, my husband stops to go to bed, I go and climb in bed with him. Now, granted, I wait until he falls asleep, which takes about 2.6 seconds, and then I won't. But when my husband gets in the bed, ducko comes flying up out of nowhere and literally rips me clean.
Speaker 1Yeah, when I try to get my goodnight kiss.
Speaker 2Or something else, or my hug, or something else.
Speaker 1I get a paw. I get this joker laying on top of me pushing me away. Or give your paw to my mama.
Speaker 2But then at night he is so jealous and then at night he lays with his head on me and his butt literally in my husband's face, Like literally in his face, and then he releases the fumes of gas, which is hysterical.
Speaker 1Really confusing my boy face. And then he releases the fumes of gas, which is hysterical really. My boy, what else you got?
Speaker 2in the works. You want to tell our listeners, uh, we're working on this huge academy which is gonna have um today. I created a bunch of different badges that can be um reached by doing certain goals and I'm looking at doing some events and working with some great people. Let them come on and do some events that people can come in and take advantage of. It's a lot of work one person to do to put this together from ground up.
Speaker 1I'm sure there's opportunity for others to participate in this academy at this early stage. Um, maybe to I don't know, do something to help us and we had a email come in the other day.
Speaker 2You want to tell people who that was was from the video yeah the video from lou diamond phillips.
Speaker 1yes, lou Lou Diamond Phillips calls up my wife. What, knowing she's a married woman.
Speaker 2Hey, he did say sending lots of love.
Speaker 1I did, like his goatee, get that salt and pepper going on you have that pepper going on.
Speaker 2Mine's getting more gray. His is pretty gray. He was in New York.
Speaker 1But thank you there, Lou.
Speaker 2He listens to our shows.
Speaker 1I was saying you really made my wife's day. She's just putting on airs what? Just gloating.
Speaker 2Who would you like to see send us a message. You've got to be real careful. No, she's in jail or she will be. Let's go with the big guy. At least you didn't say Shakira, she's going to jail for tax evasion.
Speaker 1No, let's go with, mr Presidente, donald Trump.
Speaker 2You know, he was the very first president ever in history to be active president and attend a Super Bowl.
Speaker 1Yeah, really, I still like to hear from Johnny Depp, because you like him a lot.
Speaker 2I also like James Spader. Yes, also like when is Raymond Reddington at Denzel.
Speaker 1Amir, if you're listening Aram, His character name was Amir.
Speaker 2I saw his latest commercial. He's doing a pirate.
Speaker 1Who? James Spader?
Speaker 2No, aram Aram, when he's on a boat asking the other. He's a pirate and there's people in the ocean and he they took his Butterfinger candy. I don't know if it's a Super Bowl commercial or what, but I was like I know him. Yeah, he's so nice, he was so nice. James Spader, denzel Washington, johnny Depp.
Speaker 1Y'all. There's been many, many celebrities already come on the show and we thank each and every one of them. You know folks going back to the 80s.
Speaker 2Tracy Gold from Growing Pains.
Speaker 1So how can they look at some of these?
Speaker 2We need to put them out. I just I'm not one of those people that's like you know, hey look here, kind of whatever I mean.
Speaker 1Well some of them have been guests on our show.
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 1So you can listen to them.
Speaker 2One of the cutest I'm sorry, I just think it's adorable is and I hated. How it happened is when Faith interviewed Abigail Hawk from Blue Bloods and she's in the ICU and like we didn't have any background, right, faith was in the ICU when this happened. She would not let me reschedule and she was determined to bring us in, you know, and the thing is that it was the day before you remember she had coded the day before. Faith jumps back so fast, she's resilient, she just comes back. She always says it's how many times she's danced with the and it was the cutest intro ever, because she was like I love how she talks, I love her little accent and she was like we have someone very special with us today and she goes hello, abigail. It was just cutest thing ever. And abigail hawk was just so perfect, so sweet, she was just, I mean, unbelievably, just top-notch lady really. We've stayed in contact, and quite a bit too. So she, she's definitely a first-class lady. But, um, we're trying to get this up and going and helping more people and doing more things.
Speaker 2And you know, I also want to just touch base with the fact of the frustration that goes along with being a mom to a child that has any kind of special needs, or yourself having special needs Because our medical system there is no other way to say it sucks, it's, it's horrible. There are, like HIPAA, regulations that are supposed to be implemented, that, not that, um, you know what is best for your child is. You know you're always fighting the fight for your child. I understand these people that you know are on drugs, or they the fight for your child. I understand these people that you know are on drugs or they're pimping out their kids. These are realistic things that happen, right, these things happen. But when you're a parent that lives and breathes and dedicated their entire life to the success and survival of that child, then maybe you need to take them a little more seriously, especially when they know everything about their child, inside and out, in regards to their medical history, when they know what works and what doesn't, when you have an active parent who literally goes above and beyond to make sure that every tiny thing is taken care of before it happens so that it's prevented and you don't have to worry about that.
Speaker 2But then when you have these schmucks who doesn't know whether to itch their butt or wind their watch, really it's just not okay. And then they think their time is more valuable than ours. Yes, you get to clock out at the end of the day and go home and play golf and your old fancy sports and shit. We are required to be under poverty level if we want to even have any kind of insurance given to our kid. You know, the thing is is that you don't go through what we go through. And if you chose a specialty where you chose to be working with children, then don't be a pump, because you know you say, oh, I'm going to call you at this time. Because you know you say oh, I'm going to call you at this time. Well, this time is set aside where we make sure that our children or child does not hear what's going to be said. We make sure that everything we need is in front of us and we're ready to have this conversation and then not to even have the decency to keep your word or make a phone call like you say you're going to. You know our time is just as valuable as yours. You know you, I get prejudged all the time.
Speaker 2When people just see me and they see this scarred up, amputated, deaf, you know person, they have no idea who I am. I don't throw my title at anybody. I don't throw my title at anybody. I don't throw my background at anybody. But if you came at me and tell me that I don't know anything about, like my kid and what's best for her and what works for her, no child is able to be defined in black and white Like you have all of these classes and courses and questionnaires that have to be done, and you know, know, does your child eat regularly?
Speaker 2Well, if they're a feeding tube dependent, no, but you can't just say yes or no. It's. That's not a question for that. It's a question that needs to be, you know, answered with another or you know other, and explained. They don't give you these options. It's either you know, basically red or green. You know other and explain they don't give you these options. It's either you know, basically red or green, you know. Go or see has your child done X, y or Z? And those are literally the only options that are given to you and they're not applicable to every situation.
Speaker 2That involves our kids, and that's not okay, you know. And then you're going to judge them. That involves our kids, and that's not okay, you know. And then you're going to judge them Like you're going to say, oh well, our child needs a break every 15 minutes to get up and move around for a minute, but I'm going to test you for four hours straight and not give you a break. I mean, these are things that are so wrong in this society. Or you have to have someone around that watches them for, let's say, seizure precautions, but when they are questioning your child or doing the neuropsychology examination on your child, whoever is questioning your child is not prone or trained, as the doctors tell you. They need to have on your child at all times. But you're in a child-like facility, child hospital, where you are going to get assistance, and then they can't even abide by the rules to which they. My husband is giving me this look what. Go ahead what?
Speaker 1because I love when you go off on your usual attendanceant.
Speaker 2Because stupid people make my head hurt.
Speaker 1Y'all don't see how passionate she is about this.
Speaker 2I mean when I say stupid people make my head hurt. I don't mean challenged IQ in any way, I mean just dumbass idiots who have no business working with our kids Because you can say one thing and shit in the other and see which one folds up first. I mean seriously. You have no idea what we go through and the doctors want to be so quick to judge. Right, my daughter our daughter, sorry had a tracheostomy and pulmonology.
Speaker 2Couldn't believe that in the entire time of her being trach dependent she never had not one that she ever had an infection never. She didn't even have, um, any kind of yeast growing around her tracheostomy. She never had rsv. She didn't have any of these issues like why was that? Because I went above and beyond. You know they go home at the end of the day. This is, this was my kid, and I will be damned if I'm gonna let something else happen when it can be prevented by just doing a few other things. Right, so that's what I did. I did other things, like you know, when she had a whole feeding tube. You know she never had any issue with her stoma. She never had a stoma infection. She never had granulomas around the stoma. These are all things that you know, because I made sure that it was always clean and she was taken care of and that's how I've always been with health right.
Speaker 2But when you go to a doctor I guess that's why they call it practicing medicine when you go to them and say this isn't correct, this needs to be done, and you have a doctor that says, oh, tell me what you want me to change on the corrections, tell me what you want me to change on the 18-page report and I'll put in there whatever you want in the medical and oh, I did review the medical history, which is bullshit because none of it coincides with the truth, but that doesn't matter. But we're going to bill the insurance, you know, tens of thousands of dollars for some student who is not trained on your child and has never met you either, to test them, when the doctor themselves aren't even involved in the testing. They just discuss it with a student after the fact, and that's not okay. It's not okay. And so if any of y'all are out there and you need an IEP advocate or you want me to review your IEP, I do offer that as well.
Speaker 2I am that my husband doesn't like it when I call me the pit bull, which was my nickname, but I will go in there and fight for every single thing that your child has due and should be getting and the services should be getting, and they should be reporting it and showing you work, product and attendance records and they won't.
Speaker 2And an IEP meeting. They try to go in there and make you out to be the uncomfortable one in the corner and they try to overpower you in numbers and you know what you hold all of them and they don't want to tell you that. They don't want you to know that it's really your meaning and they try to make you feel like some tiny little thing that you know is equivalent to nothing and you don't know what you're doing. But I'm here to tell you that they're full shit and if you ever need help with that, I will happily be there for you too. I'm gonna sit back for a minute because my husband's looking at me in this really weird way and I'm just gonna let him say what's on his mind see why I love this woman.
Pit Bull Perception and Valentine's Plans
Speaker 1So the reason I don't like the word pit bull for you now, even though the connotation is oh, you're aggressive, you'll lock on to something and you won't let go and you'll just fight to the bitter end. Okay, that's the perception that the society has on pit bulls. Okay, I went through canine school. I got bit a lot, folks A lot With the sleeve and in the red man suit. Okay, in the red man suit, that's defense tax Fair game. Anywhere on your body part, except for your hands. You don't cut up your hands, but pretty much anywhere that dog can latch onto it's, it's going to get you. Okay, and guess what? They were shepherds and malawas. Okay, that's over 300 pounds of bite force. I'm not over 300 pounds bite force. Okay, your bite force is a little bit more. Am I saying you got a big mouth? Maybe more, but regardless, I go into many houses throughout the week no, don't interrupt me, woman and I play with everybody's dog.
Speaker 1You know this. I come home smelling like a freaking dog, pound, whorehouse, our three service animals. They get all over my butt. But I play with a lot of pit bulls. They are nothing but cuddle bugs. When I go into their house, sit down on their level and I play with them. Have I came home and said, oh dear, I got bit today. I need to go get my rabies shot are you identifying yourself as a dog?
Speaker 1no, but I have not, so I would like to come up with a different name other than pit bull for my wife, okay, well, you can't call me chicken, that's between us.
Speaker 2So you can't call me chicken, that's between us.
Speaker 1You can't identify that We'll come up with a different name for you. Okay, fierce.
Speaker 2It only took you like five years to give me my first one back then.
Speaker 1First nickname Mm-hmm. Oh, okay, anyway, mm-hmm. So are you happy y'all? This is my soulmate. If y'all don't know, just look at our website, look at the pictures of us.
Speaker 2go through any of our Facebook does that mean I can finally sing online if you want to sing you told me. I wasn't allowed it. You told me I wasn't allowed. Let the world hear your voice.
Speaker 1No, and then, oh, simon, be calling you up. I need you on my show America's Got Talent. She's got a beautiful voice. She's my sweetheart. Did I say something mushy in that last Facebook? No, sweetheart.
Speaker 2Did I say something mushy in that last Facebook Uh.
Speaker 1No, I need some ideas what to get my wife for Valentine's, because I suck at presents.
Speaker 2You really do.
Speaker 1I do and don't say flowers. It's a give me. You don't give me flowers, exactly, it's too cliche and they die.
Speaker 2Do you want to talk about the flowers for faith adoption, how that happened?
Speaker 1Oh, no yeah.
Speaker 2Somebody knocked on the door and said they had a delivery and we videoed it. And of course my husband's looking with this like wide-eyed deer in the headlight thing and walks outside. He's gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous Cobalt blue vase with both my husband and Faith's favorite color flowers and the vase matched the outfit they both had, with their accessories all planned. So colors of the flowers and the vase, everything matched the two of them and, of course, flowers and the vase, everything matched two of them. And of course she's like Dad, you got me flowers and then he reads the, she reads the card and she goes over and hugs you and you just give me this look and then she walked up and she goes. She's like I know you did it, I know you did it. It's just the little things like that.
Speaker 1Yes, it does.
Speaker 2Yes, yes, it does.
Speaker 1So what else do you want to talk about?
Speaker 2what are you gonna get me for valentine?
Speaker 1I don't write. I know I'm waiting on my letters. Y'all have to comment, write to us about some suggestions we got.
Speaker 2They get just a few days like did you always wait to the last minute?
Speaker 1I do or. Or you don't do yeah, because I saved the best for last.
Speaker 2Going out for dinner is not going to happen because you're not going to get in anyway the whole weekend. I could. What did I do to you Grilled cheese? You set the fire alarm off earlier.
Speaker 1I normally do set the fire alarm off. Yeah, I normally do set the viral alarm off.
Speaker 2So one night this week we'll have to go to dinner for early Valentine's this week during the week, just on Friday, saturday, because that'll be ridiculous and I don't like going to that. So it'll have to be one night during the week. I'll let you take us out. No, you take us out. No, uh-huh, go ahead. No, you take us out, uh-huh. No, you go ahead.
Speaker 1Babe.
Speaker 2Huh, go ahead, don't you love me. You just said no. You just said no.
Speaker 1Thank y'all for listening to another episode of contagious smile, unstoppable with victoria and michael. Y'all get on amazon, check out those books by victoria. Cure and fate, cure solomon. Um, her book, my book, I mean my wife's book is a whole show and yeah. So there, I would encourage you, men, don't read it, because you couldn't handle it.
Speaker 1You're saying women are the stronger sex. Women are a lot stronger when it comes to that, oh God. But you men buy the I Am Kitten book, all right, we'll see you all next week. Or listen to me, hopefully soon. We'll see y'all next week, or listen to me soon. Bye y'all.
