Specialness Pod

"When Your Child Turns 18: Guardianship, Medical Battles & The Harsh Reality of Adulthood" "Becoming an adult means freedom—but what if your child will never be able to live independently?" In this episode of Specialness , we take you through one of the biggest transitions in Cason’s life—turning 18. But unlike most teens, Cason wasn’t preparing for college or getting his driver’s license. Ins...

"What do you do when you’re told your child is 1 in 740 million?" In this episode of Specialness , we dive into one of the most pivotal moments in our parenting journey: receiving the results of Cason's genetic testing. The discoveries? A rare chromosomal deletion (15q25.2), unknown mitochondrial mutations, and a list of conditions that left us with more questions than answers. 💡 In this episode:...

“We never imagined we'd be here—new medications, new doctors, and facing words we hoped we'd never hear." In this emotional episode of Specialness , we dive deep into the life-changing moment when our son’s diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder became a reality. As his hallucinations worsened and fear took over his daily life, we were forced to make the difficult decision of trying Clozaril, a pow...

When your child is in crisis, you expect the hospital to step in immediately—but what happens when you’re left waiting? In this episode of Specialness, we recount a terrifying hospitalization where our son Cason faced lithium toxicity, a life-threatening condition. Despite clear symptoms, the stigma of being labeled a ‘psych patient’ delayed his treatment for hours. It was up to us to advocate rel...

What would you do if your child began hallucinating and acting completely unlike themselves? In this episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff share the raw and emotional journey of navigating their son Cason’s worsening symptoms, from intense fear and hallucinations to a medical crisis that led to his first hospital stay. They reflect on the hard decisions they had to make, the struggles of managing a...

Parenting a child with special needs is a journey unlike any other. In this episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff recount the emotional rollercoaster of discovering their son Cason’s diagnoses, from ADHD to pediatric onset bipolar disorder. This is a raw, heartfelt account of perseverance, unconditional love, and learning to advocate for your child when the road ahead seems uncertain. 💬 In this ep...

Becoming parents is supposed to be a joyful experience—but what happens when the challenges feel overwhelming? In this episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff recount the early days of parenting their adopted son, Cason. From the excitement of bringing him home to endless crying, sleepless nights, and navigating behaviors they didn’t understand, their story offers a raw and relatable look at the earl...

How do you move forward when life delivers the unimaginable? In this episode of Specialness, we open up about a tragedy that shaped the rest of our lives. Join us as we share the heartfelt story of how loss brought us together, taught us the power of connection, and prepared us for an even bigger journey ahead. 💬 In this episode: Recognizing the signs of someone struggling Finding connection thro...