Trauma Mamas
Trauma Mamas is a podcast dedicated to the incredible families who navigate the ICU and raise children with medical complexities. These parents have faced the unimaginable—from premature births and life-saving surgeries to chronic illnesses, long ICU stays, and child loss. Each episode shares their stories of unwavering love and tireless advocacy, even when all hope seems lost. These powerful, inspiring stories deserve to be heard and celebrated. Trauma Mamas also provides resources, hope, and a sense of community for those who need it most. Through shared experiences and meaningful conversations, we aim to support parents who are fighting for their children’s health and well-being.
Trauma Mamas
#24: You Weren't Expecting to Start The Cuddle Foundation: with Essie
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In this episode, I’m joined by NICU mom and advocate Essie Weiss, founder of The Cuddle Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring NICU babies are held when families can’t always be at the bedside.
Essie shares how her own NICU experience inspired a mission to bring trained volunteer cuddlers into hospitals across the country. We talk about why physical touch and kangaroo care are so critical for NICU babies, including benefits like improved heart rate and breathing regulation, better oxygenation, reduced stress, brain development support, and improved growth and outcomes.
Essie also opens up about her daughter Elizabeth’s medical journey. After a short NICU stay, Elizabeth was diagnosed with a severe staph infection that led to osteomyelitis and multicystic encephalomalacia. Essie walks us through what those diagnoses meant, the challenges Elizabeth faced, and how finding the right support—particularly through the Family Hope Center—became a turning point in her development. Through therapy, education, and the power of neuroplasticity, Elizabeth began overcoming obstacles that once felt impossible.
This episode is a powerful conversation about advocacy, faith, healing through connection, and how one mom turned trauma into meaningful change for families everywhere.