When Autumn Comes: Seasons of Hope for Medical + Disability Moms

Every one of us is special. Every one of us needs connection. When we connect with people who are "like us," how do we find connection in rarity? Where do we go for support when we are one of a very few who share a similar story? Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Brittany. Brittany's daughter Everleigh has a rare disease called SetD5. At age 3, she is one of approximately 300 others...

Hey mama. Motherhood is really really hard. Medical motherhood, foster motherhood, adoptive motherhood…motherhood in all of its many forms is hard.  Regardless, every journey to motherhood is unique, and yet so very similar. What do medical motherhood and foster/adoptive motherhood have in common? We're so glad you asked.  This week's guest, Tracy shares her unique journey into motherhood. From fo...

We know that it is scary to learn that your child(ren) may need extra pieces of medical equipment to survive. Medical technology should never be positioned to us as a "last resort" when in reality it is often life saving game changers for our kids.  Tia is here, sharing her family's story. I met Tia and Hendrix when Benji and I were in the NICU and then we continued to cross paths frequently when...

Hey mama. A NICU hospital stay is like stepping into another world – one where there are a whole lot of questions. What do these medical terms mean? What are these numbers? How do you advocate for yourself and your baby? In the midst of worrying about your child's health and wellbeing, you're wondering about all of this. It's a lot. That's why this episode is for you… I planned to share my experie...

If you need a good chuckle, you will love today's 4AM with my guest Olivia. We talk about a legit 4AM boob graze, strategies for wearing a bra while in the hospital, and a new nonprofit she is starting one day.  Links and resources: Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety   Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast Follow us on...

Meet Olivia and her beautiful family. Her youngest son, Archer, was born with a slew of medical complications and was later diagnosed with not one, but two rare diseases: Kabuki Syndrome and RYR1. This family has had to make some logistical decisions, including career and geographic moves, to make sure their entire family is balancing the best way they can. Topics discussed that you do not want to...

We are kicking off season three just as everyone is kicking off a brand new school year! With that, our first guest is Beth Liesenfeld from the Parent IEP Lab. She is an incredible resource for parents who are navigating the school system for our medical and special needs kids. Today she breaks down a lot of information but she also invites you to her FREE Parent IEP Advocacy Summit with over 15 s...

Thank you all so much for your patience as Suz navigated life without a computer for weeks and weeks. We are BACK and we are thrilled to be here for our third season! We have amazing, exciting, semi-terrifiying (if you're Suz) BIG NEWS to share in this preview episode so give it a listen. Lastly we are sharing details about the upcoming (free) Parent IEP Advocacy Summit that is happening this week...

We know that traveling can be overstimulating for neurotypical individuals, but how does it affect our children who are already sensory sensitive? Amy, from Floyo Travel, is talking with Suz today about tips for traveling with the right mindset for special needs families who may struggle with sensory processing disorders.  Topics discussed that you do not want to miss: The importance of practicing...

Amy from Floyo Travel is opening up and sharing all of her tips and tricks when it comes to communication while on vacation. We talk about communication for our nonverbal children, but also communication roles as parents and caregivers.   Topics discussed that you do not want to miss: What does it look like to work with a travel agent?  Communication devices and options while traveling  Medical tr...

This week Amy from Floyo Travel is sharing tips and tricks for cruise ship travel. She is also talking about traveling as a family with special dietary needs. Join her and Suz as they continue the When Summer Comes Series. We are keeping these episodes short and sweet, and packed full of travel tips for medically complex, disabled families.  Topics discussed that you do not want to miss: Dietary n...

Amy from Floyo Travel is joining Suz for our When Summer Comes Series. We are keeping these episodes short and sweet, and packed full of travel tips for medically complex, disabled families. This week Amy is sharing travel tips related to mobility needs of families like ours.  Topics discussed that you do not want to miss: Staycation practice Loosening up the schedule  Mindset  ADA + travel  Equip...

Amy from Floyo Travel is joining Suz for our When Autumn Comes - scratch that - When Summer Comes Series. We are keeping these episodes short and sweet, and packed full of travel tips for medically complex, disabled families. This week we are kicking things off by talking about the always important respite.  Topics discussed that you do not want to miss: Meet Amy's Family Doing what works for your...

I cannot believe we are wrapping up season two of When Autumn Comes. This season finale episode is another "solo suz" episode where I talk about a few things that have been weighing heavy on me lately. Y'all know I struggle with the solo episodes because I prefer talking to someone directly in front of me - but it felt good to get these feelings out and I'm pretty sure some of you may be able to r...

Remember that reading game we played in school that left you terrified and anxious? Yep - that one. Leah is here and we are talking about the game Popcorn in preparation for our WAC Summer Book Club. We are reading Leah's book Loving You Big together! Join us! Link to sign up below.  Links and resources: Sign up for the book club here: https://forms.gle/M492Vunqcd9UdToMA Connect with Leah and lear...

Leah is back! Since we last met her, early in season one, she has released her debut memoir, Loving You Big. It is a story of beautiful, loving, chaos that so many of us can relate with and feel comfort in knowing that we are not alone in this journey. Leah and Suz are hosting the When Autumn Comes Summer Book Club together! Join us as we read Loving You Big as a group throughout the summer. It wi...

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there! This week, instead of having a mom share her story, we invited a dad to the show! Daniel introduces us to his family, he talks about what it feels like to be a rare disease father as he faces the 'it's not fair' moments as well as the waves of grief. Daniel is one of the founders of the Rare Disease Film Festival and the Disorder Channel where they show...

Janice is back! Scroll back and listen to episode 5 called "Quarantine Blessings" to hear her full story. Today we are simply two bereaved medical, special needs moms talking about what has helped our grief journeys and what has not. Trigger warning: this episode is raw, candid and plenty of tears were shed.  Topics discussed that you do not want to miss: Bereaved Mothers Day Hayden's House of Hea...

We are chatting about camping today, as a follow up to Kristy's episode this week. Diane shares a story about porkchop juice and Suz shares a story about stolen pretzels with cinderella birds. We also 100% recognize that maybe these stories are why we have both become glampers instead of campers…  Links and resources: Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan Follow Di: @diane.kay.erdman  Join the conversation: w...

You are about to meet a brave mama who will do whatever it takes to make sure her children are receiving the best care, best support and best adventures they can possibly imagine. Kristy and her husband packed up their family (during a global pandemic) and moved across the country so her son Robbie could receive better care. Then they became campers and started traveling with their new RV around t...

4AM: Meditative Laundry  Diane wants to know if folding laundry can count as self care. Suz wants to know why Diane walks so fast. This one is all over the place.  Links and resources: Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan Follow Di: @diane.kay.erdman  Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety   Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAu...

After her daughter, Nina, passed at 8 years old from Rhabdomyosarcoma (soft tissue cancer) Stephanie continued on, facing waves of grief along with her husband and two other children. 15 years later, Stephanie is now leading grief support groups, helping other parents process the loss of their child(ren).  Topics discussed that you do not want to miss: Diagnosis + loss within the grief journey Pro...

Today's guest is… Suz? She is taking on the mentality that many of us face when we feel "out of practice" when we are thrown into the hospital with our child.  Topics discussed that you do not want to miss: Brain fog happens when you walk into the Emergency Room It's okay to feel all the feels Suz gives a few of the tips that help her during hospital stays Visit suzgeoghegan.com/freebies to get a...

Join us for a trip down memory lane with Kristen as she shares stories of hospital shenanigans and treatment recovery slumber parties with her sister Samantha.   Links and resources: Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan Follow Di: @diane.kay.erdman  Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety   Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutu...

Kristen is a "cancer sibling" who vulnerably opens up with us about what it was like to lose her sister (and later her mother) to cancer. She shares how her family created as much joy as they could during tough hospital stays, how they hung onto memories with family  vacations, and how they found hope for the medically complex community with their nonprofit called Samantha Makes It a Little Easier...