Special Needs Diaries
Welcome to Special Needs Diaries.
Previously called How We... Special Needs, this podcast aims to open conversations around the world of Special Needs and how it transforms people, carers, families and communities.
I’m Minie Minarelli, an Italian special needs mum living in Sydney, sharing my personal diary as I walk alongside my daughter’s journey with Kabuki Syndrome. But this podcast isn’t just about us - it’s about us.
Through heartfelt stories, sometimes interviews with other special needs parents, and honest conversations, we’ll explore the challenges, victories, and emotions that come with raising extraordinary children. Together, we’ll share the tears, the laughter, and the questions we might be too afraid to ask.
Whether you’re part of the special needs community or simply curious about this roller coaster called life, you’re welcome here. This podcast offers a raw, relatable, and unconventional window into the world of disabilities, genetic conditions, and medical families.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback along the way. So feel free to reach out to me on social media at My kabuki Girl, or on the website www.mykabukigirl.com
Let’s celebrate the love, strength, and stories that make this journey unforgettable. 💚
Episodes
19 episodes
‘Hospital Talk’ | 8 Things Every Parent Needs to know
In this podcast episode, I share how I address the "hospital talk" every time our daughter has a regular check-up or hospital visit.I got lots of positive comments on this topic, on the social media of My Kabuki Girl, so I thought I coul...
She got an ASD Diagnosis | Our daughter's developmental assessment
In this unscripted episode of Special Needs Diaries I share with you our newest updates: our child got an autism diagnosis and moderate developmental delays, on top of her rare syndrome.I want to share with you what I loved about our app...
New Year, New Podcast
For the second season of the podcast “How we…special needs”, I thought of keeping the tone a bit more conversational, talking about topics that matter to us (me and you guys!) the most, sharing with you the blog posts, maybe doing fewer intervi...
A journey with CNF | Interview with Simone Eyles
Hi guys, I'm Minie, #Italian special needs mum from #Sydney! 🇮🇹🇦🇺Welcome to our channel, where I share our daughter’s journey with #Kabukisyndrome.In this podcast episode, I interview Simone, a mum and entrepreneur who shares her son's jour...
A journey with Auto inflammatory disease | Interview with Sharon Kensell
Hi guys, I'm Minie, #Italian special needs mum from #Sydney! 🇮🇹🇦🇺Welcome to our channel, where I share our daughter’s journey with #Kabukisyndrome.In this podcast episode I interview Sharon, my first guest who will speak about the challenge...
A journey with Hirschsprung Disease and ASD | Interview with Mari Suzuki
In this podcast episode I interview Mari, an amazing mum - and Zumba instructor - who shares on socials Kai's (her son) journey with Hirschsprung Disease and ASD (autism).The interview spans from the complexities of a bowel disease like Hir...
Stop Telling Mums to Take Care of Themselves
“You should take care of yourself!” “Go get a massage!” “Don’t forget to rest!” Have you ever heard these well-meaning but *completely useless* pieces of advice? I did—over and over again—when I was a new m...
The Lantern Against All Fears | A Special Needs Story that Stirs
I was invited to speak on the theme "expansion" at the event @Storiesthatstir, on the 24th February 2025. I know the lovely organiser, Monica, and I was honoured when she invited me to talk about our story.This is the story of h...
Two Countries, One Date | What 25 April Means to Our Family
What happens when one date—April 25th—means two completely different things depending on where you live?In this reflective episode, I read a blog entry I wrote about Anzac Day and Liberation Day, and what they mean to me as an Italian-Au...
Life with a SWASH Brace | What Parents Should Know
🎙️ Life with a SWASH Brace: What Parents Should KnowWhen my daughter was prescribed a SWASH brace, I didn’t expect to cry—but I did. In this episode, I’m sharing our honest experience with this hip-stabilizing orthosis: the emotio...
A journey with Kleefstra Syndrome | Interview with La Toya Redman
In this podcast episode I interview La Toya, a sweet and strong mum who shares on socials Luna's (her daughter) journey with Kleefstra Syndrome.La Toya shares Luna's and her family's roller coaster with such honesty and courage, it's truly ...
Storytime | The Butterflies in Our Kitchen
It's story time!In this episode I will share with you the story behind the lovely butterflies that for two years have populated our kitchen and dining room, and why it's so hard to say goodbye.What should I do now? Should I put them bac...
A journey with Menkes Disease | Interview with Ana Romanow
This is my first interview and it couldn't have been with a better guest: Ana Romanow. She's a super mum and super woman who's sharing her son's journey with Menkes Disease.Although Philip is not here with us anymore, his light and mean...
Our 2024 Recap | Chat & Cooking Gnocchi di Patate
We recorded this episode on Christmas Eve and we made gnocchi di patate (potato gnocchi), while recapping what happened in our 2024. Check the YouTube video to see the cooking part! Have you ever tried gnocchi? Let me know in the comments!<...
The nurse I hated on Christmas Day
🎙️ Episode 5: Forgiveness and a Christmas to RememberThis week on How We...Special Needs, I share a deeply personal story from Christmas 2022—our first Christmas as a family, spent in a hospital ward with our newborn da...
BONUS Storytime: My mum is with me
When our therapy centre unexpectedly increased their charges, I was overwhelmed, frustrated, and at a crossroads. But on a tearful drive to yet another therapy session, an unexpected moment changed everything—a sign from my mum, through the bea...
Celebrating My Daughter’s Journey with Communication Delays
In this episode of How We…Special Needs, I’m diving into a topic we all know too well: milestones. My daughter Beatrice, who has Kabuki syndrome, has made incredible strides with her communication—she can now say 20 words! But as any p...
A Message for My Daughter’s second Birthday
Welcome to the first episode of How We...Special Needs! 🌟 I dedicate it to my beautiful daughter, Beatrice, as she celebrates her 2nd birthday. I reflect on the challenges and triumphs of her first two years—open-heart surgery at 8 day...
Trailer of How We...Special Needs
Hi, I’m Minie, an Italian special needs mum based in Sydney.My daughter has a rare genetic condition called Kabuki syndrome and on My Kabuki Girl I share our journey throughout medical issues, disabilities, therapies and lovely family mo...