Special Needs Diaries

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 could expand it a little bit, for the podcast and the blog. So, in case you missed it on socials, here it is for you. I hope it can help! Send me a feedback...

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 appointment, what I really didn't like, the lessons I learned and possibly the thoughts, or "tips" I would give to a parent who receives their child&a...

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 interviews (as I’m not that great an interviewer!). Surely, I will keep sharing my and our experience with Kabuki syndrome and neurodivergence. What do you think?...

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 journey with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome of the Finnish type. The interview touches the complexities of kidney transplants on babies, the relationship...

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 challenges of having a genetic chronic condition herself, while also advocating for her daughter (and son). In this interview she touches the very important topic...

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 Hirschsprung, to an episode of discrimination from a day care centre, the challenges that couples face when their child has very complex needs, and more. Mar...

“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 mum, deep in the trenches of sleepless nights, hospital visits, and feeding pumps. And let me tell you: they didn’t help. At all. Hi, I’m Minie, a special needs mum based in Sydney, and toda...

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 how becoming a special needs parent didn’t just expand our world—it catapulted us into a multiverse. One filled with fear, medical trauma, endless questions... bu...

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-Australian mum raising a child with special needs. Whether it’s silence or celebration, loss or liberation, this day reminds us of the importance of memory, peace,...

🎙️ Life with a SWASH Brace: What Parents Should Know When 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 emotions, the pros and cons, and how we’re learning to cope day by day. You’ll hear: 💚 What the SWASH brace is and why it's used 💚 My unfiltered reaction as a special n...

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 inspiring to hear her story! Are you a special needs parent? Are you interested in being interviewed on How We...Special Needs? Let me know...

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 back? Should I put something else instead? Let me know in the comments! Send me a feedback! Support the show 🎙️ ENJOYED THIS EPISODE?  If this episode reso...

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 meaningful life keep inspiring all of us! I am so grateful that Ana allowed us to know even just a fragment of her intense experience with motherho...

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! Here are a few links that I mention in this episode: Recipe of gnocchi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mekB2Mg2eRs Tube Weaning Spreadsheet: https://www.mykabu...

🎙️ Episode 5: Forgiveness and a Christmas to Remember This 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 daughter recovering from open-heart surgery. It’s a story of exhaustion, pain, and a difficult encounter that left a lasting mark. But this episode isn’t just about hardship. It’s al...

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 beautiful notes of The Blue Danube. Do you have a beloved one who is not with you anymore, and yet is still "with you" all the time? Let me know in t...

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 parent in our community knows, milestones can be a double-edged sword. I’ll share a personal moment of Googling how many words a typical 2-year-old speaks (spoiler a...

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 days old, endless hospital stays, therapies, and milestones we’ve celebrated together. What a journey, guys! 🎉 Join me as I shout “Hip Hip Hooray!” for Beatrice and...

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 moments. But here’s the thing: there are so many traumas, so many aspects of special needs parenting and motherhood in general that are completely ignored by societ...