Forever Home for our kids with disabilities.

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: In this episode of ‘Forever Home for Our Kids with Disabilities’, Valerie is joined for the second time by John Gallia from Gallia Wealth Management for a powerful and practical conversation about special needs trusts - Henson Trust in Canada - and how families can begin planning NOW to secure their child’s financial future. John is a seasoned financial advisor an...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: In this informative episode of ‘Forever Home for Our Kids with Disabilities’, I sit down with resilience coach, accessibility advocate, and realtor Susan Janzen. Fun fact about Susan – she is the lead singer of the Trocadero Orchestra and an accomplished recording artist. Together, we explore the importance of accessible home design, community support, and sustain...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Description: In this episode, we dive into the vital first steps every parent should take when thinking about a "forever home" for their child with disabilities. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the options or unsure where to start, you’re not alone. This conversation will guide you through the initial phase of envisioning your child's future from a fi...

Send us Fan Mail Niti Prakash is a Disability Sector Consultant & Lawyer as well as disability accommodation/independent living options specialist at Disability Housing Solutions. Niti recently took on the role of Head of Engagement and Growth at Disability Housing Solutions. Niti’s most important role is a single parent to her 11-year-old daughter with multiple disabilities and challenges.  E...

Send us Fan Mail This week's guest is Angela O’Brien a mom of 2, professional organizer, Enneagram coach, and host of the podcast, Especially Organized: Sensible Solutions for Special Needs Moms.  After spending 18 years raising her kids and advocating for her daughter who has Down Syndrome, Angela took her love of home organizing and turned it into a business where she speaks to and coaches...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Forever Home for Our Kids with Disabilities ! I’m Valerie, a mom, life coach, and author passionate about helping parents create secure futures for their children with disabilities. Key Topics: 1.        Understanding Your Child’s Needs Conduct a needs assessment covering physical, emotional, and social needs. Maintain a Comprehensive Child Profile to ensure consistent...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: In this first episode of Forever Home for our kids with disabilities, we explore various options for creating a forever home for children with disabilities. I speak with two moms who have taken different approaches to ensure their children have a secure and supportive living environment. We hear from Cheryll  Wagner about apartment living with support; Dr. Lisa Ca...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: In this episode, I sit down with K. Crystal Griffith to discuss the importance of giving our children the opportunity to grow, learn, and develop independence—especially when raising kids with disabilities. We dive into the fears many parents face, the importance of allowing our kids to fail as a stepping stone to success, and how to navigate the delicate balance...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Highlights: New Focus for 2025: Valerie announces the podcast’s transition from sharing stories to offering practical, step-by-step guidance for forever home planning. The mission remains the same: empowering and supporting parents of children with disabilities. Why This Change? Many parents feel overwhelmed by the legal, financial, and emotional aspects of planning for th...

Send us Fan Mail Aaron DeVries is a relentless advocate for building stronger communities through inclusion. Aaron's journey into the world of disability and special education began when his daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy and cerebral palsy at a young age. For over 15 years, he has fearlessly championed his daughter's inclusion in school and community. Aaron has actively served on...

Send us Fan Mail Building Routines for Stability and Success in 2025 Episode Summary: Welcome to the first episode of 2025!  Get ready to shape your day with intention and embrace the power of small, consistent habits! What You’ll Learn: - Why Routines Matter: How routines help us move from a reactive to a proactive mindset. The mental health benefits of consistent habits, backed by research from...

Send us Fan Mail Hey there, Quick announcement to say we are now publishing two episodes a month. See you January 8th 2025! Best wishes for 2025 and may you experience good health, more love, peace and joy!  Live with Intention - Embrace the Journey Learn more about your host at: https://coachingwithvalerieanne.com/

Send us Fan Mail Join me, Coach Valerie, in this special Christmas episode of Special Needs Mom’s Circle of Strength as I share insights on how reflection helps families celebrate both the small victories and significant milestones, fosters resilience, and strengthens emotional bonds. I’ll also share my family’s unique Christmas traditions, how we will incorporate reflection into our celebrations,...

Send us Fan Mail The holiday season can bring excitement, chaos, and unique challenges—especially for families of children with disabilities. In today’s episode, I share encouragement and practical strategies to help you create a meaningful, imperfectly perfect holiday season. From using visual schedules and social stories to reducing sensory overload and handling those well-meaning (but unsolicit...

Send us Fan Mail Special guest Jorunn Liland joins us to share her expertise on how strengthening your vagus nerve can transform how you navigate stress, create calm, and find balance in your day-to-day life. Jorunn is an occupational therapist who specializes in stress management and polyvagal theory, with a focus on complex PTSD survivors. Jorunn runs a yoga group designed to help people regulat...

Send us Fan Mail Description: The holidays can be a season of joy, but for parents of children with disabilities, they can also bring unique challenges. In this episode, we explore how to navigate the holiday season with peace, intention, and resilience. Through actionable tips and heartfelt insights, you’ll discover how to focus on what truly matters while minimizing stress. We’ll also dive into...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to another episode of Special Needs Moms Circle of Strength! Episode Description: Welcome back to Special Needs Mom's Circle of Strength ! In this episode, Valerie sits down with Meredith Rusu , a talented author of over 100 children's books, including the award-winning Mighty Moods series. Meredith shares her journey as a mother of two and how navigating her chi...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a special needs parenting speaker and coach who works to prevent special needs parents from feeling isolated and overwhelmed to the point where they lose touch with joy and fulfillment in their lives. She and her husband of 15 years have an older teen boy and preteen, bedridden girl whom Marcia considers her best teacher. Transforming Past Narrative...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary : Valerie is joined by Kari A. Baker, a dedicated advocate for families raising neurodivergent children. Kari is former financial services executive and business owner turned author, speaker, and podcaster. She is the founder of KIND Families, a community of people who love Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences and is the host of The KIND Families Podcast. K...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is packed with practical tools like the 4-7-8 breathing technique, ‘affect labeling,’ and self-compassion practices—all designed to help listeners respond thoughtfully to life's emotional waves rather than being swept away by them. Key Points Discussed: Awareness as the First Step: Recognizing and identifying emotions as they arise is the foundation of emotional...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Valerie interviews travel expert and special needs mom, Jenifer Breaux, who shares her insights on creating memorable, inclusive family travel experiences for children with neurodiverse needs. Jenifer provides valuable tips on planning vacations, selecting activities, and choosing accommodations to make travel more enjoyable and accessible for everyone. Jenifer Br...

Send us Fan Mail Annie Joy Carter is a certified life coach with a psychology degree. She has worked for many years in the mental health field and is a single momma of 2 children. Her oldest child has Autism and ADHD. She helps moms who have lost themselves so they can come home to who they've always been. Overview: Valerie and Annie explore what true self-care really means beyond the typical...

Send us Fan Mail Ramona Kossowan discusses how parents can release trauma, regulate their nervous systems, and embrace their own worth beyond caregiving. Ramona walks us through her intuitive, strategic process for trauma release, offering insights on how unresolved trauma can keep us stuck in survival mode and disconnected from joy and creativity. You Matter Beyond Caregiving: Importance of recog...

Send us Fan Mail Jessica Fein is a mom to three adopted children from Guatemala and is a relentless warrior in the memory of her daughter who she lost to a rare disease in 2022. Jessica is a working mother who balances advocacy in her corporate job, writing (seasoned media contributor who has published more than 100 columns and essays. Jessica has also authored a book, is a podcaster, and does vol...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome & Thank You: A heartfelt thank you to all our dedicated listeners!  Episode Highlights: Your host Valerie shares a personal story about returning to the office after working from home for some time. But the real heart of this episode is about how this change has deepened her relationship with her neurodivergent young adult, August. She reflects on the sacrifices made a...