Empowered by Hope

You want the best possible quality of life for your child regardless of diagnosis or prognosis. Raising a child with medical complexities is often lonely, scary and overwhelming. Join two parents of amazing children with rare medical complexities, Emily K. Whiting and Ashlyn Thompson, to get help and grow with them into empowered advocates for our kids. Here you’ll find a community of support, encouragement, education and resources, equipping you to navigate your child’s medical complexities with hope. To get more personal support, connect with us directly at www.ParentEmpowermentNetwork.org.

Contributors

Host

Ashlyn Thompson

Co-Founder and Executive Hope Director
Ashlyn is a passionate advocate transforming parents of children with medical complexities into capable, courageous champions. Inspired by her daughter Emery, born with bladder exstrophy, Ashlyn’s journey includes advocating for improved safety protocols after Emery’s near-death experiences as an infant. Refusing to accept limited surgical options in the U.S., Ashlyn found a solution abroad, making Emery the first American to undergo a groundbreaking bladder neck reconstruction in the U.K. in 2023. She later worked with the surgeon to bring this procedure to Cleveland, Ohio, ensuring greater accessibility for U.S. families. Ashlyn is also a devoted wife, mother, and marketing professional.

Guests

Guest

Ashley Milbourne

Ashley Milbourne is a passionate advocate for families navigating the challenges of complex medical diagnoses. As the mother of a medically complex child, she has firsthand experience with the emotional and logistical hurdles that come with such a journey. As a guest co-host on Empowered by Hope, Ashley shares her insights, experiences, and unwavering support for parents on similar journeys. She is honored to serve on the PEN Board of Directors, believing wholeheartedly that every challenge can be transformed into an opportunity for growth. Helping parents find hope amidst uncertainty is not just a mission for Ashley—it’s a privilege she embraces with gratitude.

Guest

Emily K. Whiting

Co-Founder and Executive Hope Director
Emily is a guiding light for families, empowering them to pursue the best medical, emotional, and spiritual care for their children. Her daughter Charlotte, diagnosed with the ultra-rare Hardikar Syndrome at age five, has undergone over 20 major surgeries and requires care from more than 20 specialists across four U.S. hospital systems. Charlotte's journey continues, with at least 10 more procedures ahead. Emily chronicled their early experiences in She is Charlotte: A Mother’s Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Journey with her Child with Medical Complexities and has united the Hardikar community as more families receive this rare diagnosis. Emily is also a wife, mother to three other children, and a skilled communicator as a speaker, author, and leader.