When Autumn Comes: Recent Episodes
Susan Geoghegan & Diane Erdman
We call ourselves the 4am Mom Club because more nights than not, our kids are awake at 4am. We both have very medical, complicated, rare, beautiful children. This is a podcast for medical and special needs mamas (and the people who love them) who are facing a life they never expected. We share hope-filled stories of special needs families, all shapes, colors, sizes and abilities, all in different phases of their special needs or medical journey. www.whenautumncomes.com
Now that Katrina and Jordan have celebrated, we can officially tell them, "Happy Anniversary." You see, when you have a child with medical complexity and they overhear that an important day is coming up, things just seem to go awry. Best not to let Ellie know beforehand…
Today, we hear from Katrina's husband, Jordan. We hope you enjoy a father's perspective on parenting a medically complex child. Katrina and Jordan also share with us how they have worked to keep their marriage strong through the ups and downs and viral social media posts.
"Oh no, we definitely have cracks" -Kat
Here's what you don't want to miss:
- Perspective
- Viral
- Waiting for the call
- Jordan's favorite part of being a dad
- Advice
You're really going to want to read Live Like Lorelei
How to Live Like Lorelei
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! If this episode has touched you, we would really love it if you would leave us a review! While you're at it, consider supporting the podcast so that we can keep the content coming.
When Autumn Comes:
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Katrina and Jordan are here today on just a normal typical Thursday.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review. Thanks!
This week marked Lorelei's tenth birthday. Five years on earth, five in heaven. This beautiful little girl with her epic hair, to match the Trolls she loved so much, is the reason we are all here today. While Susan didn't create this podcast to honor Lorelei specifically, without her, Susan would not have become a medical mom ten years ago. This podcast would not exist.
Those of you who have listened for a while know that the goal of this project is to share, to help people feel less alone in their journey, to uplift. The trolls of internet land; however, do not know that. They also don't know that their unkind comments bring more visibility to this project. So, in honor of Lorelei, the girl who loved Poppy and Branch…thank you trolls of the internet.
"All of this started with trauma, and breaking rules, and doing things differently than it was ever supposed to be." -Suz
Here's what you don't want to miss:
- Viral
- Ten years in
- Lorelei's birth
- 5 earthside, 5 in heaven
- What would we say?
You're really going to want to read Live Like Lorelei
How to Live Like Lorelei
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! If this episode has touched you, we would really love it if you would leave us a review! While you're at it, consider supporting the podcast so that we can keep the content coming.
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
Trolls have great hair. Suz and Katrina have great hair. Internet trolls though…we can't speak for their hair.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review. Thanks!
4AM: Goat Musings
Goats are cute, don't you want one???
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review. Thanks!
We've talked before about the feelings we experience when we receive a diagnosis for our child. We've talked about the realities of appointments, struggles with school, daily life. What happens when our children get older and puberty happens. What happens when their typical behaviors begin to change?
Jenn shares with us her experience with her son, Everett. She openly shares the reality of living with a child who develops behaviors that harm himself. The girls discuss therapies, and fears related to these behaviors.
"For something that takes a kid three times to try, it takes him a thousand times." -Jenn
Here's what you don't want to miss:
- Introducing Jenn
- Everett
- Self Harm
- Behavioral Analysis
- Asking for Help
You're really going to want to read Live Like Lorelei
How to Live Like Lorelei
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! If this episode has touched you, we would really love it if you would leave us a review! While you're at it, consider supporting the podcast so that we can keep the content coming.
What's going on down there? You might not want to know…
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review. Thanks!
By the time this episode airs, we are pretty well into the new year. How are your resolutions going? Did you make any resolutions? Did you break any resolutions? Remember the list we made last year of monthly goals? Does anyone know where their list is? Let's get real, we can't find ours. But we do have some thoughts on starting a new year.
Join the girls today as they chat about setting intentions for 2026, finding magic, and being just as prepared for vacation as they are for illness.
"That's not what we were going to talk about today." -Suz
Here's what you don't want to miss:
- Last year's goals?
- Junk journals
- Sopping wet snuggy
- Finding yourself
- Manifestation
- Being the main character in your own story
You're really going to want to read Live Like Lorelei
How to Live Like Lorelei
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! If this episode has touched you, we would really love it if you would leave us a review! While you're at it, consider supporting the podcast so that we can keep the content coming.
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
Who here had a hamster growing up? We all know that left you with some kind of trauma. Buckle up for this one…
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review. Thanks!
Christmas is the most magical time of the year. Well…is it? Is it really the most stressful time of the year? The stress is real for families of typical children, but add in medical complexity and we have a whole different ball of wax. Between parties and shopping and holiday performances, where do we also find time to breathe? Is it ok to say 'no' to these once a year activities? What happens when our kid just needs a break? How do we enjoy the holidays with the flu lurking around every corner?
Suz and Katrina sit down today to discuss all of these things. We also get to hear how Ellie has been doing lately and how Kat's family has been navigating new changes. We hope all of our listeners found moments of magic this holiday season. Let us know what worked best for your family.
"All I can think is: we can't get the flu." -Kat
Here's what you don't want to miss:
- Ellie update
- Christmas celebrations
- "Just a cold"
- Failure
- Changing years
- A ha
You're really going to want to read Live Like Lorelei
How to Live Like Lorelei
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! If this episode has touched you, we would really love it if you would leave us a review! While you're at it, consider supporting the podcast so that we can keep the content coming.
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
Once upon a time, Katrina was the star of her very own True Crime Episode. You get to hear some of the details today!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
A mother's job is never done. Well, that's what people say…And it is so true. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 356 days a year, we are on call, if not actually hands on. Maybe in some of that time we are asleep. Maybe we are showering. Through it all, though, our priority is our child. We will never not respond. But when do we get to be first place? When are we the priority?
Today, we are joined again by our friend Jen Lansink from "For Our Special Kids." Together, the girls talk about the struggle of always finding yourself in second, third, fifteenth place. They also offer a bit of advice for finding moments throughout the day, to fill your own cup and put yourself in first. Or maybe second, but at least on the winners podium.
"I'm tired of not ever being first place." -Jen
Here's what you don't want to miss:
- Attempting Connections
- Vulnerability
- First Place
- Tuesday Nights
- Love with Aggression
- Mindset Shift
You're really going to want to read Live Like Lorelei
How to Live Like Lorelei
Clair and Her Magical Friends
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We'd love to hear from you! While you're at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
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WAC Facebook Page
What does it mean when dead fish rain down on your driveway? Well, fish singular…one fish.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Today, Amanda joins us on the comfy couches of the pink beach house. Amanda Griffith-Atkins is a licensed marriage and family therapist, speaker, author, and guest lecturer. She is famous in the medical motherhood community for giving a voice to the lived experience that is caregiving. Guys, Suz fangirl’d hard on this one.
Amanda came to the Apricity Hope House to share her book, How to Handle More Than You Can Handle, with us. Just because you weren’t there, doesn't mean you can’t still read the book. This is where you can find it! In the mean time, tune in to this episode for some excellent truths and advice.
“There were parts I had to dive into that I hadn’t gotten to yet.” -Amanda
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Meet Amanda
- How do we do this?
- Looking for the Good
- Border Collies
Within this episode: Fridays With Lorelei
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
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Jovie meets a new friend at the Hideaway…
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
The time has come, friends. Susan has written a book. Here on the podcast, we aren’t much for self promotion. But today is a day for just that. Susan has worked her fingers off, and used all of the words in her head to share her story, her lessons, her truths.
Today, Suz and Katrina sit down to discuss the book. They discuss the evolution of the story, the inspiration, and all of the emotions you can expect. We hope you join us October 7th at 7 PM in ordering the book. This is truly one you will not want to miss.
“I find myself having to stop and like take a breath as I’m reading these incredible truths.” -Katrina
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- 15 Lessons?
- Inspiration
- Sadness and Joy
- Book Tour
- Susan gets kidnapped
Within this episode: Fridays With Lorelei
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
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The Oxford dictionary defines respite as “a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant”. Respite care provides relief to caregivers of medically complex children.
This sounds simple and easy, but let’s think through all of that. What does it mean to have a stranger in your home several days a week, caring for your vulnerable child? Initially, it looks like always making sure the laundry is put away and you have your bra on, keeping a vigilant eye on the care they are providing. Over time, if you are lucky, it might look like a new best friend, laughter, and play. Today, the girls sit down and talk about their experience with respite care.
“She was kind of like my life raft.” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Respite
- Goodbye to Reagan
- Ripple Effect
- Dirty Laundry
- Retreat
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
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Summer was great, but autumn is here and the girls are back together…from a distance.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
New updates here at When Autumn Comes. We are so excited!!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Growing up, a friend was someone you could share your snack with, tell your secrets to, and play with at recess. Of course, that changes with adulthood. But how does this change when you are a parent of a medically complex child? What does friendship look like when your days and nights are spend caregiving?
Susan and Katrina chat about just that. You will hear how they have found and maintained friendships, when they really don’t have time or energy to spare. With those friendships, they have built an amazing community of moms, willing to help each other out, even when it comes to international travel.
“I almost didn’t get on that plane.” -Katrina
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Community in isolation
- Trauma vs healing
- Beauty in the story
- Long distance
- Community
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
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What happens when internet friends meet in real life? Does Suz smell bad? Is Katrina super short? Join us to find out!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Any parent of a child with a rare disease hopes for a cure, a treatment, anything to improve their child’s quality of life. We often hear about new developments in medicine for more common illnesses, but are our young zebras forgotten? Is someone doing something to help? Today, Susan gets to speak with Dr Keri-Lyn Kozul, one of the researchers studying the Benji and Lorelei’s specific disease. Parents, we hope this episode gives you hope, that there are people working on this, good people who truly care.
Dr Keri-Lyn Kozul works in the Niemi Lab at Wash U in St Louis, Missouri. During her PhD, Dr Kozul was one of the first scientists to define the mechanisms of FBXL 4 disease in 2023. We are sure that you can tell from this episode, Dr Kozul’s focus and passion is to help children like Lorelei and Benji, and help find answers for families with FBXL 4 disease.
“Three years ago, we wouldn’t even be able to think about these things.” -Dr Kozul
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Life in the lab
- Baking
- Support for families
- Treatment
- Call to action
Vote for Dr Kozul!:UMDF Accelerators
Contact Dr Kozul at kozul@wustl.edu if you have questions about this research.
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
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WAC Facebook Page
Did Katrina ever make it to America? Stay tuned to find out!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Our dear friend and former co-host, Diane, used to talk about two things sitting together at the same time without blending the two. Did you know what she meant by that? It seems like it resonated so well with some people, while Suz never fully understood it.
Today, the girls re-visit that concept. They discuss how two very different emotions and experiences can be a part of your life at the same time, without affecting how you experience or process the other. They discuss the uniqueness of this concept as it relates specifically to medical motherhood.
“I guess I understood but I didn’t physically understand in my bones until that moment.” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- The barn has burned down
- Jealousy and joy
- Bravery and fear
- Vulnerability and healing
- Gratitude and worry
Referenced in this episode: Welcome to Holland
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
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WAC Facebook Page
Wiggly teeth, shark teeth, new grown up teeth. This is all new in the Geoghegan house.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
According to the google, anxiety is a normal human emotion characterized by feelings of unease, or fear about a future-oriented threat. Anxiety can have physical manifestations, along with mental, and can interfere with daily life. We have spoken about anxiety before. Today, the girls sit down to re-visit the subject. Medical motherhood comes with a whole host of anxiety inducing opportunities.
The girls will discuss their individual experiences with anxiety, including what triggers it, and how they manage.
“I don’t have the mental capacity to deal with that stuff, so that box needs to stay shut.” -Katrina
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Susan’s boggy uterus
- Explaining
- Physical manifestation
- What to do
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
We love our listeners. Meeting them in person is always extra special. Kaylee (I hope we spelled your name right,) we are your fan club!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
We have all heard the stories, watched the documentaries. You know the ones…The ones where the mother is injuring her child to make her child appear sick. The child spends a lifetime in hospitals…Of course, these stories are terrible and heartbreaking.
How do these stories affect moms of children with actual diagnoses? Today, Suz and Katrina sit down to discuss. Have they been accused of harming their child? Find out today. When Autumn Comes.
“The wrong answer is Muchausen By Proxy…” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- The Tik Tok
- For the Show
- Content vs Community
- The impact on the rest of us
Touch base with us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Now that we know Suz has survived her hysterectomy, it’s safe to air this episode…
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Once a year, flamingos flock to Virginia Beach for a weekend. Not real feathered, flying, bird flamingos…Mingo Mommas! These women and their friends and families join together for the most epic camp out fundraising weekend ever, in support of the Apricity Hope Project. This year, Suz packed up not just her camper and a million other things, but also her microphone for camp : Hope Full.
Join us for the first ever live from camp podcast episode. Susan sits down with several alumni of Apricity Hope Project retreats to talk about what AHP and this community mean to them.
“Okay, I just used my scrunchie to clean the pollen off…” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- What is AHP?
- What is a Mingo Mom
- Margie
- Christie
- Isha
- Call to Action
Are you in need of community? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Canada vs. America, who says it right? You guys decide, today, at 4 AM.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Motherhood changes you who you are to your core. You were once yourself, and now you are “mom,” with different priorities and goals, a new name, and different responsibilities. Trauma, and medical motherhood is an entirely different ball of wax. The old you is buried underneath layers and layers of hospitalizations, stress, and management of medical issues. How do you carve yourself back out once all of that is piled on top?
Today, the girls sit down with Margie. Margie graciously shares her story of how she became a medical mother and lost herself at the same time. She goes on to share the ways in which she is beginning to find parts of herself again, after the trauma.
“Where’s home right now?” Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Margie
- Pre-kids
- Guilt
- Finding yourself
- Advice
How have you found yourself again after motherhood? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
The girls sit down with their new friend Margie and chat pets. Join us to hear about the pets’ quirks.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Some things you just can’t say…or maybe you can. Maybe its better to air it out, in therapy with a trained professional would be ideal. But…of course sitting down with your medical mom bestie to share is ok too.
Today, the girls chat about the things people tend to keep quiet. The times we don’t explain to people why their comments rub us the wrong way…They chat about perspective gained with lived experiences and how medical motherhood looks different when your priorities change.
“I have to prove my mom gut sometimes.” Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Second guessing
- After the crisis
- Feeling better?
- Hell on Earth?
- Perspective
Have you ever trauma dumped on a stranger? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
We know you want to hear what this episode is about. Susan has big plans coming up and Katrina is rocking out the interwebs…Join us!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Today, the ladies sit down with their new friend, Canadian Susan. Her name isn’t really “Canadian Susan,” but it helps with clarity when the Susan’s sit. You guys know American Susan, now welcome our new friend! Also Susan.
Susan from the north shares with us her story of losing one child and raising another, with disabilities, into adulthood. What does life look like when you have to pursue guardianship because your child is now 18? What does life look like when your dependent child is now in an adult body? Join us!
“You get in a groove, it just becomes normal” -Canadian Susan
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- About Susan
- Ava
- Vulnerability
- Who to ask
- Growing and Adapting
How can you relate to what Susan is sharing? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Buckle up, friends, as we chat with not one, but two Susans. This show is always international, but today we have two Canadians representing. Enjoy!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
So many of us have people in our lives who love us. For that, we are so very grateful. In the chaos and chronicity of medical motherhood, how do we tap into that resource? Once we have moved beyond the infant stage, or the initial diagnosis, meal deliveries dry up. But just because the meal deliveries slow down or stop, doesn’t mean our loved ones don’t want to help. Sometimes, they just don’t know how. In the thick of things with daily life or hospital life, thinking through what we need is just another challenge.
Today, the girls sit down and make lists of seven things…When someone reaches out with an offer to help; but you don’t know what you need help with, this is your go-to. Prepare yourself with a list of seven ways in which help would be, well, helpful in your life. The next time someone offers to help, or you find it in yourself to ask, you will be prepared with specific examples. Join us!
“People are really good to jump in when poop hits the fan.” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Hating to Ask
- Chronic
- Say this/not that
- 7 things
- Take the picture
What would you add to your list of seven things?? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
If you missed our last 4 AM, you might want to listen to that first…Tune in for the follow up on Katrina’s little furry friend.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
We have all heard the oxygen mask analogy…remember to put yours on before you try to help other people. Why is it that in motherhood, especially medical motherhood, we have such a hard time doing just that?
Today, the girls talk about mental health, specifically anxiety. They discuss Katrina’s journey with deciding to start medication. They chat about how often, asking for help feels like failing. Ultimately, they discuss the importance of re-focusing on what is important…making sure you are your best self for you and your family.
“You can learn to swim, but right now you need a floatie.” -Katrina
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Family History
- Medication
- Failure
- Judging ourselves
- Re-focus
How are you taking care of your own needs today? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Katrina finds more than just wood when she goes to the basement. Tune in to find out what shenanigans she is up to up in Canada.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
It’s 2025, a New Year…Did you make a resolution? Have you broken it already? This year, the girls are focusing on small changes. Because who has room for lofty resolutions when you spend your days caring for everyone else? Since we mentioned caring for others…maybe these habits need to focus on ourselves.
Join Suz and Katrina as they plan a year’s worth of small resolutions. These are small changes, one per month, to focus on caring for themselves. Think of them as monthly self care challenges!
“So, each month, we’re going to do one thing.” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Grab your paper
- 12 habits
- You are worth it
We truly hope you will join us for this challenge. Share how its going in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Camp Hope Full, is an amazing weekend every year. We join up with our community, families with children of all abilities and camp. This event is so much fun, and such an important fundraiser for the Apricity Hope Project. Tickets are on sale at APRICITYHOPE.ORG
Join us!
New Year, New Beginnings, New You. Girl, your future's so bright! But is it? Let’s be real. Join us for this year’s dis-affirmations. It’s a jolly good time!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
New Years is a time for re-entry from the holiday fog, renewal of goals and ideas, and reflection upon the year before. Everyone talks about resolutions and how they will be a new and better person in the coming year. We plan to accomplish more, be better, clean our dirty houses. But what if we don’t? What if just surviving is enough? This was the plan for this episode. But today, the girls take a turn.
Rather than planning next year with resolutions, join us as the girls reflect on 2024. This was a year of highs and lows, as all years are. With medical motherhood, the highs can be so very high, but they can also be joy in calm days. The lows are ever so low. Let’s all raise a glass of coffee or wine, no one’s judging, to surviving 2024!
“I ate a lot of pie.” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Christmas Break
- 2024 Recap
- Looking Forward to?
- Resolutions
- Minor Self Care
Happy New Year everyone! Are you someone who makes resolutions? How did 2024 treat you? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Suz is a planner who likes to drag her friends into her pipe dreams. What is her latest plot?
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Tis the season of family visits and travel, baking cookies and decorating, shopping for all of the gifts…Its enough to make your head spin. But how do you manage all of the demands when every day life is already so demanding?
Today, Suz and Katrina talk all things Christmas. They discuss their ideal and what the holidays look like in reality. We hear the ways in which they have created their own magic, even when disease takes them away from typical family memories. Ultimately, Suz and Katrina share what they have done to preserve sanity and joy around the holidays.
“I have a problem and it is Christmas.” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- 11 Christmas Trees
- Dream Christmas
- Family Gatherings
- Making your own Magic
- To me or For me
The holidays are tricky to navigate for a lot of us. Throw in a healthy does of special needs and it is easy to spiral into a ball of stress. Have you found ways to make managing the holidays easier? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
This morning, at 4 AM, the girls are chatting winter wear. Do we call that warm winter hat a beanie? Is it a tuque? Most importantly of all, how do you get your hands on a limited edition AHP warm winter hat? Tune in to find out!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Having a child in the PICU is traumatic. Losing a child, moreso. How does someone navigate returning to the PICU with their second child, after having lost their first in the very same unit? Today, the girls sit down and talk about just that.
Benji is home now, after a recent hospitalization. This hospitalization was sudden and unexpected. The girls unpack what happened, how Benji is doing now, and how Suz is navigating the trauma of it all.
“The last time I had been in the ED was the last time I rolled in with Lorelei; and she never rolled out.” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- What happened?
- Cracker barrel
- Car accident of medical motherhood
- Noninvasive support
- Band Aid
Trauma in medical motherhood is real. Community can help you feel more supported. Have you had a chance to plug in? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
The girls are talking about all of the important things that come with a hospital stay. Do you shower? Would you bathe in a hospital tub? Most importantly, are we wearing bras or letting the girls free?
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
The age old battle with stuff…People seem to fall into two distinct categories, keepers and thrower away-ers. No matter which camp you fall into, clutter is something universal that every household deals with.
Today, the girls get into the ins and outs of clutter. They discuss the psychology of clutter, both how it happens and how it affects us. Katrina offers tips for managing clutter in practical ways.
“Five minutes matter.” -Katrina
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Minimalism
- Tips and tricks
- Too many mugs
- 30 day box
- Self care
Have you ever found yourself doing something that seems just so crazy, in the name of grief? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
This morning, the Suz is on fire. Everyone with a uterus can likely relate to this feeling. Tune in!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
We have an announcement for you! A fun Christmas Announcement!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Raise your hand if you have memories of elementary school picture day…Did they pass out those little plastic combs? Anybody have some really terrible pictures to share? Today, Katrina and Suz talk about what happens when picture day is really more than just picture day.
When your child is facing rare disease, with a shortened life expectancy, you never know when this picture day is the last picture day they will have. The girls talk about making the memories, soaking in the moments, and normalizing grief.
“You never know what’s going to be the last picture because you can’t trust the disease.” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Picture Day
- What if?
- The last picture
- When it doesn’t make sense
- Take the pictures
- Normalizing Grief
Have you ever found yourself doing something that seems just so crazy, in the name of grief? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Welcome to the real world of medical motherhood. Just as Suz and Katrina sit down to record, the Suz gets a phone call…
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
For several seasons now, we have heard Susan interviewing guests. Amazingly brave people have stepped up to the microphone to share their stories with our listeners. Today, we flip that scenario. Now, it’s Suz’s turn to share. Today, Katrina interview’s Susan.
The ladies discuss Susan’s story. Suz shares the trauma surrounding Lorelei’s birth and her entry into medical motherhood. She shares about how medical motherhood inspired her to start the Apricity Hope Project, and how she has been changed by Lorelei’s life and death. Speaking of Lorelei, here’s the link to the episode where Suz tells the story of her death.
“We didn’t take any part of having a second child lightly.” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Who is Suz?
- Lorelei’s birth story
- Deciding on number 2
- Goodbye to Lorelei
- Fitting In
- Parenting differently
Can you relate to Susan’s story? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast .
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
4AM is back! Buckle up for Susan’s wild ride of dentistry. You won’t want to miss it!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
We all know the analogy about riding in an airplane. When the oxygen masks fall down, you put your mask on first before helping those around you. In medical parenthood, how do you put your own needs ahead of the significant needs of your child? We aren’t talking about making sure the laundry is clean here…Self care for medical moms often looks like taking care of basic daily needs for themselves, showering or brushing your teeth.
Today, Suz and Katrina talk about Therapy. They discuss the ups and downs of finding the best fit in a therapist, the ups and downs of therapy itself, and deciding that you are important enough to invest in.
“You have to unlearn this inner dialogue that you aren’t good enough.” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Dating App for Therapists
- Therapist turns on me
- Vulnerability
- Friendships
- Inner Dialogue
- Good enough?
Being vulnerable is so so hard. Investing in ourself is so very worth it. Do you have experiences with therapy you’d like to share? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast . Look for fun ways to contribute throughout the month of September!
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
4AM: Summer Vacation to Christmas
4AM is back! The girls discuss summer vacation, straight through to Halloween and Christmas. Buckle up, this one is a wild ride!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Mornings are getting cooler and the autumn leaves are on their way in the next few months. Today, the girls recap summer vacation just as the “carefree” days of summer fade away and we transition into fall. Summer vacation looks different under the lense of medical motherhood. Gone are the days of backpacking in Europe. Today’s vacations involve packing and unpacking a van-load of supplies and venturing into a location that is probably not kid-proofed. Vacation plans have back up plans. The back up plans have their own back up plans. Is this really restful? Are we just creating more stress under the guise of creating memories? Listen to find out!
“I’m a ball of a stressed out troll under a bridge.” -Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Making memories
- Two vacations
- Backup plans
- Booger blankets
- Questions
- The big reveal
- Support
Summer vacations can be so sweet and also a bit tough. We hope your summer was one for the memory books. What are your favorite summer memories with your kids? Do you have any travel tips for other medical moms? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We’d love to hear from you! While you’re at it, consider supporting the podcast. Look for fun ways to contribute throughout the month of September!
Welcome back for the final episode of our summer book club with Jessica Fein. Today, we discuss writing. Jessica shares helpful advice for anyone looking to begin writing. The girls talk about the importance of sharing their stories in whichever medium is most relevant to them. They also talk about the importance of finding community in writing.
“When you say, ‘I’m writing a book,’ it changes everything.” -Jessica
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Advice for writing
- Mindset
- Writing to ourselves
- Met judging yourself
Connect with Jessica:
Jessica Fein
Buy her book
Summer is a new season with stress and relaxation together at the same time. We hope you can find a moment to relax with a good book, or whatever gives you a moment of peace. We are so grateful for Jessica taking the time to share her story for our summer reading series. Are you reading along with us? Do you have any good writing prompts you want to share? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you!
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
In today’s episode of Summer Reading with When Autumn Comes, Suz, Katrina, and Jessica discuss joy. We always discuss what gives us hope, but where is the joy in this life of medical complexity? Maybe moms of medically complex kids mope around in black and grey all day long. Maybe some do, but not these girls! The girls discuss how they create moment’s of joy, finding it in the every day, and intentionally seeking it out. They discuss the importance of finding joy, not only for their children, but also for themselves. Stay tuned for helpful tips they have discovered over the years.
“We can create corners of beauty in the midst of the chaos.” -Jessica
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Choosing to live in hope
- Creating moments of joy
- Skate parks
- Finding joy for ourselves
Connect with Jessica:
Jessica Fein
Buy her book
Summer is a new season with stress and relaxation together at the same time. We hope you can find a moment to relax with a good book, or whatever gives you a moment of peace. We are so grateful for Jessica taking the time to share her story for our summer reading series. Are you reading along with us? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you!
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Welcome back to another episode of our summer book club. We hope you are reading along with us and joining in the conversation in the When Autumn Comes Society. This week we are discussing isolation in medical motherhood. We talk about the reasons why we feel isolated and how that impacts our families. We discuss ways in which we have found community both in person and online.
“Nobody can relate to you anymore” -Jessica
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Relating to others
- Finding people online
- Isolation for the other children
- The village
Connect with Jessica:
Jessica Fein
Buy her book
Summer is a new season with stress and relaxation together at the same time. We hope you can find a moment to relax with a good book, or whatever gives you a moment of peace. We are so grateful for Jessica taking the time to share her story for our summer reading series. Are you reading along with us? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you!
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Thank you all for joining us for round 2 of our Summer Reading Series. We hope you are loving Jessica’s book! This week, she joins us again to talk about adjusting to the new normal. What we all know now is that the “new” normal is something that is ever changing. We are always adjusting. Adjusting to life after diagnosis, life after hospitalization. For some of us, life after they have left us.
“For all this time, they define our identity and what happens after?” -Jessica
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Welcome back Jessica
- Always new normal
- Checking the box
- The importance of sharing
Connect with Jessica:
Jessica Fein
Buy her book
Summer is a new season with stress and relaxation together at the same time. We hope you can find a moment to relax with a good book, or whatever gives you a moment of peace. We are so grateful for Jessica taking the time to share her story for our summer reading series. Are you reading along with us? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you!
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Happy summer friends! It is July in Virginia and the rainbows at the hideaway do not disappoint. So, we celebrate summer with a Summer Reading series. Please join us in welcoming back Jessica. Jessica last joined us in April of 2023, but today she returns, a newly published author! Throughout this series, we will discuss themes that run throughout Jessica’s book. In this episode, we chat about “the diagnosis”. Everyone’s journey to a diagnosis is unique. Let’s dive into Jessica’s journey.
“And that’s where the hammer came down, was in the genetic testing.” -Jessica
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Welcome back Jessica
- Dahlia
- Phases of the journey
- Diagnosis
- Advice
Connect with Jessica:
Jessica Fein
Buy her book
I don’t know how you do it
Summer is a new season with stress and relaxation together at the same time. We hope you can find a moment to relax with a good book, or whatever gives you a moment of peace. We are so grateful for Jessica taking the time to share her story for our summer reading series. What are you reading? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you!
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
4AM: Retreats and Thunderstorms
Today Christi joins us again to try to convince Katrina to come to America for a retreat in August. Stay tuned to see whether she was successful.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Trigger Warning: Shaken Baby Syndrome
Some sources estimate that a parent makes 35,000 decisions per day for our child. Some of these are small, like what socks to wear. Others, more important, like who will care for them while we are away. We hope we make these decisions we make, both big and small, add up in ways that create a safe and healthy environment for our babies. But what if…What happens when the person we have trusted our baby does the un-thinkable?
Today we sit down with Christi. She bravely shares her story, of how her son was harmed by the very person she had trusted to care for him. She shares his medical journey, and the trauma her family has endured.
“Everyone knows not to do that to a baby.” - Christi
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Introducing Christi
- Shaken Baby syndrome
- The Incident
- The babysitter
- What if
- Decisions
- Mom gut
- Hindsight
- What gives Christi hope
Medical motherhood is challenging whether you are “born” into it, or through a tragic accident. In a world where life can feel isolating, please know you are not in this alone. Join us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We'd love to hear from you!
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
4AM: I see dead people
4AM is back! Today we are chatting about seeing things in our minds… or not. Welcome to the conversation!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
100 episodes. We have now officially recorded 100 episodes. When we started this podcast, we hoped to connect moms. Moms of children with complex needs, feeling alone in the day to day of raising children who depended upon them in ways typical parents may not understand. This podcast has given us the opportunity to share our stories, to create community, to share hope.
Thank you to our listeners for joining us along this ride, whether you have been with us from the beginning, or just now at episode 100. We are so grateful for this community that we get to share in. For sharing your joys, your tears, your hope. These stories, your comments, your likes give us that sense of the sun’s warmth during those cold winter days.
“Its gonna be beautiful in its own incredible way.” - Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Why we started
- Priorities
- Anticipatory Grief
- Validation
- Who are you?
- Pure Magic
- Hope
Medical motherhood should not be undertaken alone. We understand the importance of community, in the celebrations and in the heartaches. In a world where life can feel isolating, please know you are not in this alone. Join our community in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We'd love to hear from you!
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
This week, we chat birthday parties during heat waves, the difference between a Canadian heat wave and an American heat wave, and who punched Suz. Welcome to the conversation!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Five…Five feels like a milestone birthday, from when a little kid turns into, well…not a big kid, but a kid kid. Five is also creeping closer and closer to the age Benji’s sister, Lorelei, was when she gained her angel wings. Birthdays are bittersweet when your child has a terminal diagnosis. For Benji, for Mamma, this birthday is worthy of celebration. And celebrate we did! Stay tuned while we discuss Benji’s epic fifth birthday Dude Ranch Dressing celebration.
“So, they’re walking around with a pony and a kid on it in a ranch dressing costume.” - Suz
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Benji turning 5
- Hidden Valley
- Bittersweet 5
- Piggy Love
- Friends
- Worth it?
Medical motherhood can feel overwhelming, questioning at times if the celebration is even noticed. We know how important it is to celebrate the milestones, inch stones, and make the memories. How do you make birthdays special? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We'd love to hear from you!
When Autumn Comes:
The Lavender Farm Episode
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
4AM: Celebration and Rage
4AM is back! Today we are chatting about celebrations, rage, and child proofing AirBnB’s. Welcome to the conversation!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow Katrina: @kattymac
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Medical motherhood can take its toll on you. The ups, the downs, the trauma, the lack of time for yourself…It is ok not to be ok. Even better, it is ok to ask for help. Today, Susan and Katrina sit down to discuss therapy. The hard, the good, their reasons for going. If you have ever been scared to ask for help, we hope this episode gives you the nudge to do it. As moms, we need to be our best to give our best to our children. Therapy is one of the tools that helps us to do that.
“Its not horrible because its so good and so rewarding.”-Katrina
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Finding a Therapist
- EMDR
- Therapy first date
- Do we enjoy therapy?
- Core of the onion
- Why we go
Medical motherhood can feel isolating, leaving you searching for answers and resources. We want you to know that it is ok to ask for help. Do you have the resources you need? Do you enjoy therapy? Do you treat yourself when you go? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We'd love to hear from you!
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
As we approach Father’s Day, we welcome back Daniel for what has now become his annual holiday visit to the podcast. Daniel first spoke with us in 2022. Check out the link below to give the original interview a listen, I promise it’s a good one. Since we last spoke, Daniel has been busy sharing his own story and helping other parent’s to do the same. Today, we discuss the art and importance of storytelling. We see how the sharing of a story can bring together communities and help those who are isolated, feel less so. The stories we share are shared uniquely from our own perspective. When our children are unable to share their own stories, we are able, in a small way, to give a voice to the voiceless.
“For anyone who’s thinking of sharing their story there is a benefit to you personally, even if you just shove that story in your dresser drawer and never show anybody.”-Daniel
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Lucas’s trees
- Why we share
- Finding help and hope
- “For them”
- How to share
- What gives Daniel hope
Mentioned in this Episode:
Daniel’s First interview with WAC
Daniel’s Second interview with WAC
Global Genes
The Disorder Channel
Courageous Parents Network
Medical parenthood can feel isolating, leaving you searching for answers and resources. Daniel has shown us how sharing our stories helps us to connect with our community. Are you interested in learning more? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you!
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Most parents can relate to the sense of losing themselves at least a little bit to parenthood. We leave behind our hobbies and dedicate ourselves to caring for these tiny humans who have taken up residence in our lives. Medical and special needs parenthood takes that to a different level. How do we maintain ourselves in the midst of this defining title of medical parent?
This week, we meet Elena. Elena is not only a medical mom, but also a fierce advocate and founder of a nonprofit. She has dedicated her time and skills to education and advocacy for the disability community. Elena introduces us to the topic of codependency in caregiving. She shows us that even as our lives change, we can maintain our sense of self and purpose outside of and along with our title of medical parent.
“If you hear people talking about their journey publicly, it doesn’t mean we have this figured out. We’re just living this out loud.”-Elena
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- About Elena
- Xiomara
- Little Lobbyists
- Codependency Cliff Notes
- Letting Go
- Staying In Check
- Really good year?
- What gives Elena Hope
Medical motherhood can feel isolating, leaving you searching for answers and resources. We are so grateful for Elena and the work she has done to fill gaps in the community. Are you interested in learning more? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you!
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Catch up with Elena:
Little Lobbyists
On Instagram
On Facebook
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
For those of you who listened in on Season 5, I know you have been at the edge of your seats waiting for Season 6 to start! Season 5 sure was a nail biter, filled with exciting content. Can you sense the sarcasm? I had wonderful guests and lofty plans, but the weight of medical motherhood, running a nonprofit, and life in general certainly kept me from those plans. Don’t lose hope though, the podcast is back and this time with backup!
Last season, we met Katrina. This season, we bring her back as co-host. Today, we get to hear more about the woman behind the microphone: her family, her hobbies, what makes Katrina, Katrina.
“It just made me feel less alone.” -Katrina
Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Eliana
- Teenagers
- Relationships between children
- The diagnosis
- Just for fun
- What gives Katrina hope?
Medical motherhood can feel so isolating. It is exciting to connect with another mom and share in this journey with you all. Do you have questions for Katrina? Let us know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send us a DM on Instagram! We would love to connect. Don’t forget to check out Katrina’s Season 5 episode.
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
Amanda and Suz are talking about the latest encounter they have had with their amazing girls from Heaven.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Join the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245467847367923
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
The internet is an interesting place. A place of connections, for both good and bad. A place for sharing knowledge, and a place for following people you have never met. Every now and again a creepy internet stalker turns out to be an actual really wonderful person. Every now and again, that really wonderful person turns into a friend. Enter Amanda.
This episode, we get to hear Amanda’s story. Amanda is a fellow mito mom of a beautiful little girl who is now watching over her from heaven. She is also an expectant mother of a baby boy. Amanda shares with us her journey, from the grief of losing her daughter, to the celebration of learning she was having a son. We discuss how she manages the two opposing emotions and how she hopes to keep her daughter’s memory alive.
“To live in celebration, that’s unknown and foreign to me.” -Amanda
Here are the details from Amanda and Susan’s chat:
- Introducing Amanda
- Breaking all of the rules
- Telling the world
- Going in all directions
- Grief and joy together
- Impossible decisions
- Letting the legacy live on
Medical motherhood is one filled with unique and challenging decisions, as well as unique and challenging emotions, sometimes in opposition and at the same time. Amanda has so graciously shared her story with us today, and I hope that it has been helpful for someone at home. Can you relate to Amanda’s story? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear about how this helped you.
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
When “they” say this journey is a rollercoaster, guys, whoever “they” are, they aren’t kidding. These past few months have brought struggles and hardship, along with moments of joy, and glimpses, twinklings, little birdies of hope. Suz is back for an update on life these days and why she has been radio silent on the podcast.
In this episode, we hear about how Suz took selfies with the president. More importantly, we get an update on Benji, and the state of the Apricity Hope Project. Suz talks about priorities and five year plans. Spoiler alert, nothing ever goes as planned. Sometimes you are surprised with how things turn out differently. Sometimes, you need to let go, just a little, in order to grow.
“I am not the only medical momma who is a control freak.” --Suz
Here is the what Suz gets into today:
- Where are we now?
- White House
- Update on Benji
- Where does that leave Suz?
- For vs to
- What’s going on with the podcast?
- Five year plan
Medical motherhood is all consuming. How do we take care of ourselves in the process of caring for our children? Do you have tips to do “for” you, instead of “to” you? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to re-connect.
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
You’ve heard it before…medical parenting is not for the faint of heart, medical parenting is a roller coaster. With hospitalizations come tests, and fear, and pain. After discharge, the family processes everything that just happened, the “new normal”. For some, this happens frequently. How do you manage the in-between hospital time, waiting for the next medical change?
Today, we meet Katrina. Katrina is a mom of three children, one of whom has medical complexities. Katrina shares with us what it looks like to manage her youngest child’s medical complexities, while also parenting two teenagers. We discuss the ups and downs of repeat hospitalizations. We talk about how we all manage the trauma that comes from watching your child experience medical changes, tests, and treatments differently. While some struggle during the hospitalization, others crash once they are home, or in the anxiety of waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“Every time you come home, you have to adapt again, and adapt again, and adapt again.” -Katrina
Here are the details from Katrina and Susan’s chat:
- Introducing Katrina
- Connecting
- Ellie
- Hospital Milestones
- Handling the re-admit
- The crash
- Recovery
- Advice
Medical motherhood is often filled with hills and valleys, which are often unpredictable. I hope that Katrina has given you a glimmer of hope when you are deep in a valley. Do you have questions for Katrina or advice for navigating this journey? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear about how this helped you.
Catch up with Suz:
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
Welcome back everyone! We are so excited for Season FIVE of When Autumn Comes! It has been a summer and we have a lot to catch up on.
Today, Susan fesses up about what happened at the end of season four. Season four ended? Why yes it did, but not in the way we intended. You see, Susan has been a busy bee outside of When Autumn Comes, working on some really exciting projects for medical moms. The podcast took a bit of a back seat, but for a really really good reason. This episode, Susan introduces us to the most amazing, pink, water-front house where medical moms can escape and refresh. Moms-you are going to need to see this place, it is AMAZING! You also meet her wing-woman Christen, the one who reminds her to drink water and edits the podcast… But that is far less exciting than the house. For real, you gotta see the house.
“It’s literally on top of the water.” -Susan
Here are the details from this episode:
- Katrina, we are so sorry
- Apricity Hideaway
- Where is Diane?
- Team of two
- What is going on this season?
- Is it a gala or a gayla?
- An EPIC party
- Benji update
We are so excited to launch another season of When Autumn Comes. More than that, we are so excited about the amazing things that the Apricity Hope Project is doing for medical mothers. What are we doing that is the most meaningful to you? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear about how these projects have helped you.
Here at the Apricity Hope Project, we appreciate any size donation. Your donation will help fund our many projects such as hospital go-bags for medical moms, Take five meet-ups, Retreats for medical moms, and the When Autumn Comes Podcast. Donate HERE!
Catch up with Suz:
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Join Us!
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Apply for a Retreat
Thank you so much for joining us on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
You and your child have what probably feels like a million appointments scheduled. Medical specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists. All of these people are members of your team. Your child’s team. They are supposed to work with you and your child toward a common goal. But who decides what that goal is? And who decides when you’ve reached it, or how to get there, or when it’s time to take a break?
Today, we have a chat with Kim. Kim is a physical therapist and owner of a therapy company that specifically works with young children in Early Intervention and outpatient. We talk about the importance of establishing goals that are meaningful for your everyday life. She tells us what to do when the activities in the therapy session don’t feel like they match what makes sense for your family, or when personalities clash. Kim gives us insight on knowing when to step back, take a break, and focus on living life rather than making it to appointments; and how to navigate coming back to therapy after a break, when the time is right. Most importantly, she drives home the important point that communication is key with your team.
“No one knows what they don’t know if somebody doesn’t speak up.” -Kim
Here are the details from Kim and Susan’s chat:
- Getting to know Kim
- Early Intervention
- Using what you have
- What should parents know?
- What if it’s not working?
- Taking a break
- Realistic expectations
- Finding Kim
- What gives Kim hope?
Medical motherhood is often filled with so many appointments. I hope that Kim has shown you that your child’s therapist is on your team. Do you have questions for Kim? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear about how this helped you.
This episode was sponsored by Children's Therapy Concepts, LLC. You can learn more about their pediatric therapy services that are offered across the state of Virginia at childrenstherapyconcepts.com
Catch up with Suz:
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Connect with Kim:
Children’s Therapy Concepts
Email: admin@childrenstherapyconcepts.com
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
Top 3 tips from this episode: * Communicate with your team * Identify goals that are meaningful to your family * Its ok to change course if that is what your child needs
With a heavy, yet resilient, heart Suz shares a letter on behalf of the Apricity Hope Project. She is explaining a recent “pivot” they are being forced to make. You can read the entire letter on our website: https://apricityhope.org/apricity-place-update/
Catch up with Suz:
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4 am moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
I know what you are doing as a caregiver is hard. So let’s take five minutes alone, in a quiet place, to just sit. Feel free to cry. Feel free to smile. Do whatever feels right for the next five minutes.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
Merriam-Webster defines grief as “deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement” or “trouble, annoyance”. The American Psychological Association goes further to include, “Grief often includes physiological distress, separation anxiety, confusion, yearning, obsessive dwelling on the past, and apprehension about the future. Intense grief can become life-threatening through disruption of the immune system, self-neglect, and suicidal thoughts”. Some of us have studied the stages of grief, denial,anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. We are no grief experts; but, with all of these definitions of grief, it is safe to say that everyone’s grief experience is uniquely their own.
Today, Jessica and Susan have a chat about their personal experiences with grief. They discuss ambiguous grief, which is grief without closure. We hear about anticipatory grief, or grief before a loss. Jessica gives us insight into secondary losses which flow from the primary loss that is grieved.
This episode is not all doom and gloom. Yes, grief is hard. Grief is painful. Grief is not something that we sign up for. But, in grief, there is hope. And we might just finally get the answer to the question Jessica evaded last week-what gives Jessica hope.
“When we are able to name something, it becomes a little bit less scary.” -Jessica
Here’s what Jessica and Suz chatted about that you do not want to miss:
- Grief
- Ambiguous grief vs anticipatory grief
- Secondary loss
- Help in grief
- Unexpected grief triggers
- What gives Jessica hope
Grief is nonlinear and everyone’s grief story is unique. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Come visit us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you.
Be sure to get your name on the list for our upcoming retreats for medical mamas and check out our BRING HOPE HOME campaign as The Apricity Hope Project moves forward with a headquarters and retreat house!
Catch up with Suz:
Catch up with Jessica:
Jessica's website
I Don’t Know How You Do It
Psychology Today article on secondary losses
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4 am moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
Every family with medically complex children is impacted in some way by advances in medicine and therapy. Some have the benefit of recent developments. Others hope for cures and treatments on the horizon, yet just out of reach when they are needed most. At some point, do we all believe we will be the ones to finally beat the diagnosis?
In this episode, Susan sits down with Jessica. Jessica is a fellow mito mama. Jessica is also a fellow bereaved mama. She shares the story of her beautiful daughter Dahlia, who was diagnosed with MERRF syndrome. They chat about the steps that led to diagnosis, navigating care for her daughter’s medical needs while providing normalcy for her other children, and the opportunity to participate in research towards treatments for this disease.
Jessica shares that the journey toward participating in research was not a smooth one, and not one that led to a fairytale ending. Even with this, she has a beautiful perspective on the benefit of contributing to medical developments.
“Because some of the words were too scary, I pushed them to outside of my head altogether.” -Jessica
Here’s what Jessica and Suz chatted about that you do not want to miss:
- Introducing Jessica
- Validation (8:11)
- The ones to find the cure (13:50)
- Accepted (17:06)
- The shift (19:46)
- Getting in again (20:31)
- Driving force ( 24:24)
- What gives Jessica hope (29:56)
Every special needs family has been impacted by research, though not all have the opportunity to participate in the research directly. Do you have a story to share? Come visit us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you.
Catch up with Jessica:
Jessica's website
I Don’t Know How You Do It
Catch up with Suz:
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4 am moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
Who knew that the moment you became a mother, your whole world would change? I suppose we all did. “They” tell you about the sleepless nights, the infinite love you will have for this new human that you are in charge of. What “they” don’t warn you about is the change in your identity. Of course, the day to day routine looks different. You have a new title. But you are changed deeply to your core. Or are you? Is the same girl who was in there before kids still there, just waiting it out until she is no longer a caregiver? This is something that is universal amongst all mothers, medical or not. But in some ways, it will still look different for medical moms.
Today, Susan and Diane come together again to discuss identity. They talk through ways in which medical motherhood has changed them, either because of the company they keep, the joys they have experienced, or the trauma they have endured. We hear about what parts of them remain from before they were mothers and their hopes for the future of their identities.
“I didn’t lose myself. She just had to be a little dormant for a while.” -Diane
Here’s what Susan and Diane discuss this time:
- What is our identity?
- Identity of our children
- Who we associate with
- Season of life
- A gift for Susan
- What about Diane?
- A gift from the beginning
- Priorities
- What gives Susan hope?
Motherhood is so rewarding and so very challenging. Medical motherhood means that your season of mothering will be uniquely challenging. Becoming a mother, whether to a typically developing child, or one with medical needs will forever change you to your core. How do you find yourself, or keep yourself, while dedicating all of yourself to caring for someone else? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I’d love to hear your take on this.
Catch up with Suz:
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
Welcome back. Sorry I missed you the last couple of weeks. Things got a bit hectic and I know y’all get it. So today… let’s take a mental vacation and getaway for a five minute mental break.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
Do you ever have that feeling deep in your gut that you need to check on your kid, and then they are doing something they shouldn’t be doing? Have you ever thought of someone and then the phone rang? Is this just intuition or something more?
Today, we sit down with Jen. Jen shares with us her daughter Teal, and the magic within her. We discuss their unique way of communicating with one another, and how Teal’s magic has captured those who have been fortunate enough to meet her.
Jen gives us insight into different ways to support our children, other than traditional medicine and therapy. We discuss creating balance between conventional treatments and those that are not always talked about in western medicine. She gives us a variety of resources to explore as we navigate our own journeys with our children, and so importantly, as mothers ourselves.
“Why do I have to follow the same path? I don’t have the same kid as everyone else.”-Jen
Here’s what Jen and Suz discuss. You don’t want to miss this.
- Welcome Jen
- Meeting Teal
- Teal’s travels
- The magic of Teal
- Visiting hours are over
- Just “mom’s intuition”?
- Mom magic
- Different intuitive options
- Caring for yourself
- Preparing the world
- What gives Jen hope
Rare disease can be a place of fear, sorrow, and anxiety. But on the other side of that is hope, light, and joy in the small moments. I hope Jen has shown you that it is ok to create your own path, and find support that works for you and your family. Have you explored any non-traditional therapies? What was your experience? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear about how this helped you.
Connect with Jen:
www.ForOurSpecialKids.com
Email: Jen@forourspecialkids.com
@ForOurSpecialKids on instagram
@ForOurSpecialKids on Facebook
Catch up with Suz:
www.suzgeoghegan.com
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4AM Moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, let’s take 5 minutes together to reflect on how amazing YOU are. As parents and caregivers of medically complex and disabled children, we are often forgotten. We spend our days telling our little loves how much they mean to us - but often no one says it back. So today, let's focus on how loved you are and how incredible your mind, body and spirit is that makes you YOU!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
As caregivers we are facing waves all the time. Waves of hope. Waves of grief. Waves of joy. Waves of sadness. Today we are taking five minutes of calm together to ride the waves.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
We can all agree that medicine has come a long way in recent decades. Parents can now receive some diagnoses before their child is even born and receive treatments that didn’t exist prior. Within our society, though there is still a lot of work to do, there have been changes as well. In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was signed into law (now known as the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act). This guaranteed access to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to every child with a disability. 1975 y'all…1975. That was less than 50 years ago. So, with that in mind, what was it like for families of children with special needs in the 1950’s?
Rita, along with her daughter Lou, join us to share Bobby’s story. Bobby was diagnosed with Down Syndrome after he was born, and after the doctors gave a less than glowing prognosis for what his life would look like. We hear about his birth, the reaction of the community, and the experience of sending him away to school. We hear the story of a full and fulfilling life that continues to impact those that he touched.
In this episode, we hear stories of physicians using language that is not used today. We hear nicknames that would now cause us to shudder. This was considered normal and generally accepted at the time. Rita discusses how this began to change during Bobby’s life. By sharing his story, and what life was like when he was younger, we can see that advocacy, love, and passion of his family and others like them have laid the groundwork for improvements that we see today.
“Out of Bobby being born, I can relate to so many instances where things have evolved.” -Rita
Here’s what Rita and Lou shared that you do not want to miss:
- Introducing Rita and Lou (4:05)
- Bobby is born (5:36)
- Taking Bobby into the world (8:47)
- No school resources (12:05)
- Fun memories (15:49)
- Changes in acceptance (18:36)
- Getting a diagnosis (19:58)
- Leaving Bobby (22:05)
- Sticking up for Bobby (32:48)
- Advice from Rita (40:53)
- What gives Rita hope (41:39)
Special needs parenting has its challenges and its joys, no matter what decade you lived or are living through. I hope Rita has shown you that when looking back, you will have fun memories, right alongside the raw tear-filled ones. There is always love and there is always hope. Come visit us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you.
Catch up with Suz:
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
Links and resources:
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Lou’s first When Autumn Comes visit
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4 am moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
Let’s take five calming minutes together this monday. You are exactly who your child needs. But it’s also okay to take five minutes for you.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
Claire is making a 4AM appearance this week. Suz asks about farming - since Claire proclaimed in the last episode that she knows very little about it and wants to do it the rest of her life… Then things get awkward when she informs us that she not only works a farm, runs a nonprofit where she sends care packages to people with chronic medical conditions, but she also sells monuments and tombstones… Yep. We go there. Welcome to the 4AM Mom Club.
Connect with Claire:
Chronically Beautiful
Email: info.chronicallybeautiful@gmail.com
Apply for a care package February 11!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Join the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245467847367923
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Hey there friend! I have a question. What would it mean to you to know that there is someone out there who understands firsthand what it means to live with a chronic illness? Not only understands, but has created a project with the sole purpose of spreading joy and hope to others living with similar life long illnesses. That would be pretty awesome, wouldn’t it? Now, what if that person also just happens to be really kind and open about her health and how her illness has changed her family’s life.
Today, we meet Claire. Claire shares with us her experience of caring for her mother. Not only caring for her mother, but then becoming the patient herself. We discuss the struggles and the joys, the ups and downs, and the connection she has forged with her family throughout the challenges. We chat about the day-to-day and how they manage to get through the rough times together.
“More than anything else, it’s the people in your life that matter.” -Claire
Here’s the play-by-play of Suz and Claire’s chat:
- Getting to know Claire (3:21)
- Becoming dependent (7:15)
- The people matter the most (12:50)
- Making the choice to stay (15:45)
- Family bonds (17:32)
- Reality (22:04)
- Chronically Claire (25:02)
- What gives Claire hope (34:10)
Chronic illness is a journey that is filled with ups and downs. It’s a difficult and painful journey, but it's also one of hope. I hope that Claire has shown you that there are people rooting for you, who want to step up and lighten the load, with joy. Have you had the opportunity to share joy recently? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear about how this helped you.
Catch up with Suz:
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Apply for a Caregiver Package
Connect with Claire:
Chronically Beautiful
Email: info.chronicallybeautiful@gmail.com
Apply for a care package February 11!
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
Top 3 tips from this episode: * No matter what, the people who love you are the most important * Staying is a choice * Reality can often be harsh, but there will always be hope
To kick off Apricity Hope Project’s Take Five program, we are bringing it to the When Autumn Comes Podcast. Our goal is to give you five minutes, once a week, where you can just “be”. Whether you are hiding in your bathroom, listening in the car, or laying in bed pretending to be asleep… try to take five minutes for yourself this week.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Diane joins Suz for the kick off 4AM of Season FOUR! And it’s as random as usual. Sidenote: Do you wash your new clothes before wearing them? Links and resources: * Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan * Join the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245467847367923 * Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast * Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast * WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for caregivers of medically complex and disabled children.
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
We’ve heard the rumors…Susan and Diane had a massive fight. Diane secretly quit the podcast. They aren’t speaking and blocked each other on social media. Are the rumors true? Have Susan and Diane had a massive breakup? Surely there is some tea to be spilled here. So what’s the deal?
Today, Diane is back. It is time to dispel some rumors and catch up. Where has Diane been all this time? What’s going on in her life? What has changed with Suz since they last spoke on the podcast? Are they speaking in real life? What is going on with the Apricity Hope Project? That was a lot of questions…The girls have a lot of answers.
Get ready to take a deep dive into what Diane has been up to. We get to hear updates on Selah and whether they are any closer to a diagnosis. We hear about Benji and how Susan is doing in therapy. The girls discuss the direction of the podcast in the future. Buckle up, it's going to be a ride.
Here’s what Diane and Suz discuss. You don’t want to miss this.
- Welcome back Diane (5:44)
- What’s new? (8:02)
- Stuck in limbo (15:37)
- Benji (20:06)
- EMDR therapy (21:44)
- Grounding techniques (29:29)
- Apricity Hope (31:49)
- You should be better by now (42:33)
Medical motherhood is a journey. A journey that sometimes feels like a rollercoaster. Sometimes a good roller coaster, with great views and a best friend by your side. Other times, the stomach in your throat, just lost your cell phone on a loop-de-loop roller coaster. You never know how the day will go, but we hope we are building a community of friends who are riding alongside you, ready to help fix your hair and dig your phone out of the bushes after a bad roller coaster day. Join our community over at When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to have you join us for the ride.
Care(Giver) Package Application opens 1/20! Watch AHP on social for the link!
Catch up with Suz:
www.suzgeoghegan.com
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4AM Moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
As we wrap up a year, one of my favorite guests is back for a visit. Daniel Defabio is back on the show to catch up and tell us about his newest project - a “late night style” show for those who are part of our medically complex, disabled community.
Additionally, I realized that I did not explain the changed that When Autumn Comes has faced - so I dish a bit about that a couple times today.
“What makes us angry? What do we need people to know? We're not complaining, we're just explaining and we emphasize there's plenty of good stuff in our lives too, but we don't need to fix the good stuff.” -Daniel
Connect with Daniel:
On instagram @disorderrarediseasefilms
https://www.thedisordercollection.com/
Catch up with Suz:
www.suzgeoghegan.com
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4AM Moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
We are not sponsored by Starbucks but we would be thrilled if they were interested in partnering with two exhausted medical, rare disease mamas who trive on peppermint mochas and survive on caffiene. Suz and Brittany bond over coffee during this 4AM bonus content.
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- @evie.thing.setd5 on instagram
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
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 worldwide with this diagnosis. In fact, she is the only one with her specific subtype. Because of how rare her disease is, there is a lot of unknown about her future. But her present is filled with love.
Brittany shares with us the importance of advocacy, providing a voice for your child when even the doctors don’t fully understand what is going on medically. She shares her tips for finding and building a community even when there are so few who share exactly what you are going through. She shares the joy and light that is Everleigh. What I especially loved is how open she was about the process. This is a journey. We all are doing our best to move through this journey one step at a time.
“I start small. I’m starting small and I will work my way up, as I can, but I’m learning.” -Brittany
Here’s what Brittany discussed that you do not want to miss:
- Introducing Brittany (2:24)
- All about Everleigh (4:16)
- Competing diagnoses (6:43)
- Spreadsheets and planning (10:11)
- Asking for help (14:49)
- Carrying the mental load (18:44)
- Connection in the community (22:56)
- Raising Rare (25:13)
- What gives Brittany hope (29:19)
Rare disease can be a place of fear, sorrow, and anxiety. But on the other side of that is hope, light, and joy in the small moments. I hope Brittany has shown you that there is a community out there, with others who understand what you are going through, even when you are rare. How do you find community?Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear about how this helped you.
Connect with Brittany:
@evie.thing.setd5 on instagram
RaisingRare.fm
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Catch up with Suz:
www.suzgeoghegan.com
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4AM Moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
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 foster mom, to no kids at home, to adoptive mom. She opens up about the challenges she has faced navigating mental health needs for her children and leaves us with a very important takeaway, and glimmer of hope.
Tracy has five children, who came into her family in different ways. She has one stepson and four adoptive children who joined her family initially through foster care. Additionally, her family has touched the lives of several other foster children throughout the years. We bonded over our shared understanding of trauma and the importance of finding support with mental health.
“Trauma is real early. Childhood trauma is real and you can’t love that away, you just can’t. The older children…when they come into care, the more trauma they’ve actually seen and experienced. ” – Tracy
In this episode, Tracy shares her story from fostering to adoption and her family’s navigation through trauma and mental health.
Here’s what Tracy shared, be sure not to miss:
- Welcoming Tracy (2:38)
- How does fostering work? (4:43)
- Fostering children with different needs (7:08)
- The journey from fostering to adoption (8:45)
- Grief in the journey (14:56)
- Reaching out through Facebook (17:02)
- Childhood trauma (18:41)
- Judgements from others (21:18)
- Navigating mental health (28:41)
- A glimmer of hope (37:27)
- Advice for new moms (39:57)
- What gives Tracy hope (42:33)
- How to find a community (43:52)
Foster parenthood and adoptive motherhood are emotional journeys as you strive to love your children and help them navigate trauma and change. This journey is challenging and messy at times, but also filled with joy and hope. I hope that Tracy has helped to show that even throughout the challenge, the messy, the scary, there is support, there is hope for the future. Do you have experience with fostering or adoption? Do you have experiences you would like to share with other mothers? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear about how this helped you.
Catch up with Suz:
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4AM Moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
Top 3 tips from this episode: * Find your squad * Make it ok to talk about mental health * Accept the love
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 Lorelei and I were in the PICU.
Tia talks about what it was like when they began to discuss a tracheostomy for her son, how it made them feel, the fears they faced and where they are now.
“I think that when we think of medical devices or medical equipment with kids, it's like, ‘Dang, what quality of life are they gonna have?’ Well, they're gonna have the quality of life that you provide for them!” - Tia
I hope today's episode with Tia helped you see that even in the midst of big life decisions for your children, you have other families who see you and know how you feel. What big decisions have you had to make for your children? How has it made you feel? Let’s talk about it in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram!
Catch up with Suz:
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
Links and resources:
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4 am moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
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 experience and the experiences of others during NICU Awareness Month, but September came and went and content didn't get out (if anyone understands that, it's y'all!). Now we're back and our guest, Meredith, returns for a third time for season three's special episode celebrating NICU awareness.
Meredith has four children, including two with disabilities, one with cerebral palsy, and another with down syndrome. We bonded over things like medical trauma and PTSD, and being two-time NICU moms.
“You've been thrown into a situation where you need to celebrate the fact that your baby's life has been saved. Yet, you're so sad because you didn't get the cute pictures of your baby after they were born, you know? So you have to be able to share that with somebody. And there are other people who get it.” – Meredith
In this episode, Meredith discusses what emotions she felt during her second NICU stay and why it was so different from her first one.
Here’s what Meredith discussed that you do not want to miss:
- Welcoming Meredith (4:17)
- A quick recap (5:55)
- First NICU stay for a military family (9:48)
- Hospitals in the US vs hospitals abroad (17:59)
- Atypical vs. typical births (27:15)
- Entering a special needs lifestyle in a foreign country (33:10)
- The medical system in the US and abroad (35:05)
- Two-time Nicu moms share their advice (38:58)
- Advice for those who know someone in the NICU (41:53)
- What gives Meredith hope (45:12)
The NICU is an emotional valley where all you want is to hold your baby and go home without monitors or numbers. It’s a difficult and painful journey, but it's also one of hope. And I hope today's episode with Meredith helped you see that even in the midst of something like this, you have other NICU moms to support you. What was your experience like or what advice would you give to other NICU moms? Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear about how this helped you.
Catch up with Suz:
When Autumn Comes:
WAC Instagram
WAC Facebook Page
WAC Society Facebook Page
Links and resources:
Meredith: Part One – God's Puzzle Pieces
Meredith: Part Two – The Feast
WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4 am moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.
Top 3 tips from this episode: * Learn how to navigate the NICU * Discover why community is so important * Find out what to say – and what not to say – to NICU moms
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 Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
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 miss:
- Two rare genetic syndromes that do not play well together
- The Teeter Totter: spouses handling tough news
- Born at the start of the pandemic… plus career shifts, and postpartum depression
- The language of trauma
- The lady in the grocery store
Links and resources:
- Learn more about Archer and Kabuki Syndrome
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project: apricityhope.org
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 speakers and a TON of information. Link below to sign up for the summit!
Topics discussed that you do not want to miss:
- What is an IEP and how does the process work?
- IFSP vs IEP
- What goes into an IEP
- Priorities - including safety, communication and behaviors
- It’s an emotional but legal process.
- Vision statements and learning standards
- What to do when things are not going well
Links and resources:
- Parent IEP Advocacy Summit: https://courses.theieplab.com/a/2147518470/d83e8M6W
- The Parent IEP Lab Podcast: https://pod.link/1584271582
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project: apricityhope.org
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 speakers and a TON of information. Link below to sign up for the summit!
Topics discussed that you do not want to miss:
- What is an IEP and how does the process work?
- IFSP vs IEP
- What goes into an IEP
- Priorities - including safety, communication and behaviors
- It’s an emotional but legal process.
- Vision statements and learning standards
- What to do when things are not going well
Links and resources:
- Parent IEP Advocacy Summit: https://courses.theieplab.com/a/2147518470/d83e8M6W
- The Parent IEP Lab Podcast: https://pod.link/1584271582
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project: apricityhope.org
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 where Suz will be one of 15+ speakers!
Links and resources:
- Parent IEP Advocacy Summit: https://courses.theieplab.com/a/2147518470/d83e8M6W
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project: apricityhope.org
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 where Suz will be one of 15+ speakers!
Links and resources:
- Parent IEP Advocacy Summit: https://courses.theieplab.com/a/2147518470/d83e8M6W
- WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project: apricityhope.org
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 before your trip
- Sensory travel tips, including locating the “safe + quiet spot” when you arrive
- Sensory support: TSA Cares
- Expectations in the moment
Links and resources:
- Mentioned in this episode: Grief in Progress Shirt
- Connect with Amy: www.floyotravel.com
- Do you love WAC? We are independently produced and would appreciate your support. Join the HOPE FULL Community on patreon and help us keep the lights on while connecting with more families!! www.patreon.com/suzgeoghegan
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 travel card and why you should have one
- Communicating your family’s needs
Links and resources:
- Connect with Amy: www.floyotravel.com
- Do you love WAC? We are independently produced and would appreciate your support. Join the HOPE FULL Community on patreon and help us keep the lights on while connecting with more families!! www.patreon.com/suzgeoghegan
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 needs and feeding supplies Secret cruise ship tips Trip insurance for medically complex families Travel precautions and resources Links and resources: Connect with Amy: www.floyotravel.com Do you love WAC? We are independently produced and would appreciate your support. Join the HOPE FULL Community on patreon and help us keep the lights on while connecting with more families!! www.patreon.com/suzgeoghegan Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 needs and feeding supplies
- Secret cruise ship tips
- Trip insurance for medically complex families
- Travel precautions and resources
Links and resources:
- Connect with Amy: www.floyotravel.com
- Do you love WAC? We are independently produced and would appreciate your support. Join the HOPE FULL Community on patreon and help us keep the lights on while connecting with more families!! www.patreon.com/suzgeoghegan
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 needs and feeding supplies
- Secret cruise ship tips
- Trip insurance for medically complex families
- Travel precautions and resources
Links and resources:
- Connect with Amy: www.floyotravel.com
- Do you love WAC? We are independently produced and would appreciate your support. Join the HOPE FULL Community on patreon and help us keep the lights on while connecting with more families!! www.patreon.com/suzgeoghegan
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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
- Equipment to bring
- Finding the right place for your family
Links and resources:
- Connect with Amy: www.floyotravel.com
- Do you love WAC? We are independently produced and would appreciate your support. Join the HOPE FULL Community on patreon and help us keep the lights on while connecting with more families!! www.patreon.com/suzgeoghegan
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 family
- Accepting and navigating help from others
- Summer respite tips for caregivers
Links and resources:
- Connect with Amy: www.floyotravel.com
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 relate.
Topics discussed that you do not want to miss:
- I love words
- Birthdays and holidays
- Assessments and evals
- Skatepark and Fraps
Links and resources:
- Sign up for the book club here: https://forms.gle/M492Vunqcd9UdToMA
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 learn more about her book:: www.lovingyoubig.com
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
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 will be low key, messy and full of hope.
Links and resources:
- Sign up for the book club here: https://forms.gle/M492Vunqcd9UdToMA
- Connect with Leah and learn more about her book: www.lovingyoubig.com
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 showcase rare stories.
Topics discussed that you do not want to miss:
- What we felt when we heard our children could be nonverbal
- Timing throughout the journey
- “This isn’t fair” vs “why me” mindset
- Career change for rare
- Waves of grief
Links and resources:
- You can watch films on The Disorder Channel with a Roku or Fire Stick
- Learn more about Disorder Channel: www.thedisordercollection.com
- Connect with Daniel: www.instagram.com/disorderrarediseasefilms
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 Healing
- Advice for newly bereaved mothers
- What does not help bereaved parents
- Grief and pets
Links and resources:
- Learn about Hayden’s House of Healing: www.haydenshouse.org
- Meet Team Jules: https://4jules.weebly.com
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
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 the country, exploring all the handicap accessible parks and trails they can find!
Topics discussed that you do not want to miss:
- Drowning as a family to take care of medically complex son
- Realizations due to the pandemic
- Florida → Colorado
- Make-A-Wish “I want to go camping!”
- RVing tips for traveling with a disabled child
Links and resources:
- Learn more about Kristy and her family: www.accessibleadventures.net
- Follow Kristy on social: @accessible.adventures
- Freebies for you: www.SuzGeoghegan.com/Freebies
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
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
- Processing grief as a child
- Honoring and remembering your child(ren) after they pass
- Everyone’s grief journey is different
Links and resources:
- Freebie: How to Help Your Grieving Friend - and not be a jerk.
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- www.suzgeoghegan.com/freebies
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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 copy of the communication sheet Suz mentions in this episode
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- www.suzgeoghegan.com/freebies
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
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 - SMILE.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Receiving your sister’s cancer diagnosis as an older sibling
- Creating good times and bonding relationships during hospital life
- The sibling connection throughout treatment and after death
- Creating a nonprofit in honor of your loved one while grieving
- What to do when someone is grieving
- What SMILE does for our community
Links and resources:
- Learn more about Samantha Makes It a Little Easier: www.smileasier.org
- Looking for a therapist? Start here: www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
This is NOT a 5 minutes at 4AM. We are updating you a bit on the pod, talking about next week’s guest and the memorial garden she is building in Suz’s backyard, sleep talking and spitting, AND vitamins for the who ha… All of this for Mothers Day. Happy 4AM.
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Motherhood is tough. It forces us to face beautiful days and chaotic days. Hard days and easy-ish days. Fun days and structured days. Motherhood is hard no matter what kind of mama you are. Medical motherhood is something most of us never expected to face and it has turned us into people we never expected to be. Today our community unites with a bunch of amazing pep talks. Not just for Mother’s Day - but any day! Happy Mother’s Day mamas. Links and resources: * Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast * Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety * Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast * Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Amanda joins Suz to talk about self care for moms. We recently polled moms in the When Autumn Comes Society and throughout social media to find out what they do for themselves when they have five or more minutes of alone time…
Links and resources:
- Hampton Roads Yoga: www.hrvayoga.com
- 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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Amanda Rogers, Licensed Professional Counselor is back to share her wisdom with our community of medical caregivers. When I was preparing for this episode I was able to find plenty of information on the mental load of mothers, but nothing specific to medical mothers. So today we are chatting about it! Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss: Defining “Mental Load” The effect of carrying a heavy mental burden Tactics to manage the things you cannot change Finding a Therapist Links and resources: Looking for a therapist? Start here: www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Diane shares alllll the mishaps of her Spring Break vacation to Florida and it’s hilarious.
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Marion’s daughter, Sarah, was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia at 14 years old. Together, with the rest of their family, they faced the rollercoaster of treatment, relapse, stem cell transplant and all of the emotions that come with it. Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Rare cancer diagnosis at 14 years old
- Relapse 6.5 years out from remission
- Patient and Mama roles when patient becomes an adult
- Critical Care at two different hospitals
- The mom after the medical treatments are over
- Survivors Guilt
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
The mama you are meeting today is not only full of hope for her child, but for all of our children. Danielle is a mother of two girls, one who has a rare disease called Feingold Syndrome. Not only is she rocking as a medical mama who’s daughter has been to the OR 34 times in 3.5 years, but she decided to change her career and go back to school for families like ours. Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Exploratory surgery on day three
- Handing your child to a surgical team
- Change of career after becoming a medical mom
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Aracely joins Suz this week to talk about 90 Day Fiance the show AND the time that Aracely hopped on a plane to meet someone from instagram and later married him…
Just a reminder that 4AM Mom Club Bonuses are just that… They are bonus pieces of content to help members of our community connect beyond the medical needs of our children. Thanks for joining us!
Links and resources:
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Do “normal moms” have to spend thirty minutes talking about how spring break makes them feel all the feels? Suz and Diane candidly talk about all the emotions they are feeling as they embark on time away from home.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Do you stay busy or do you unwind on vacation?
- Dividing the family for vacation
- More to my story
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Spoiler alert: we do not actually record the 4AM Bonus content at 4AM. Alycia Anderson joined us, for a candid 4AM. We chat about when she famously served margs in her wheelchair. We also chatted about how she met her husband! Shout out to the hubby!
Links and resources:
- alyciaanderson.com
- Alycia’s TEDx Talk Disabling Ableism: The Modern Pathway to Inclusion
- Instagram @alyciaspeaking
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyciaranderson/
- Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Today’s special guest is Alycia Anderson. She is a motivational speaker, a rockstar at tennis, and has an identical twin sister. She was also born with sacral agenesis and has been a wheelchair user since birth. This conversation will educate and empower everyone who listens.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Letting our children surprise us with what they can do
- Advocating in the 70s
- Independent without Mom and Dad
- Defining “Disabling Ableism”
- Open conversations amongst humans
- Attributes in Corporate America
Links and resources:
- alyciaanderson.com
- Alycia’s TEDx Talk Disabling Ableism: The Modern Pathway to Inclusion
- Instagram @alyciaspeaking
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyciaranderson/
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Psychic Medium, Jeni Juranics, joins Suz today for a bonus episode where she shares a few stories about readings. Some funny and one story will make you cry! Links and resources: * Follow Jeni: @psychicmediumjenijuranics * www.jenijuranics.com * Spirit Call Podcast * Follow Suz: @suzgeoghegan * Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety * Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast * Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
This week we have a unique guest to our show, an international psychic medium! Meet Jeni! Today she is chatting with Suz about grief and connecting with our loved ones on the other side.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- What is evidential mediumship?
- Grief journey
- Our purposes
- How and when to find a medium
Links and resources:
- Follow Jeni: @psychicmediumjenijuranics
- www.jenijuranics.com
- Spirit Call Podcast
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Today Aubree joins us as we all talk about what “re-entry” looks like for our immunocompromised, medically complex families as COVID precautions are rolling back and the world is returning to some form of normal. Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- How our family has been affected
- Post-Pandemic anxieties
- Empathy, compassion and respect
Links and resources:
- For more information on feed tubes: www.feedingtubeawareness.org
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Anyone else struggling with hair these days? Diane dishes on why we all have baby hair and Suz tries to convince Di to do mom-hair tutorials…
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Have you ever wondered if the world would treat your children differently if their disability was lesser or greater, physical or intellectual, or maybe even something as “simple” as whether or not they could smile? Today’s mom, Kimberly, has four boys - two of which have disabilities. One has a physical disability and the other has an intellectual disability. This gives her family a very unique perspective on this sometimes rocky journey of parenthood. Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Intellectual disability vs. physical disability
- Facing questions about terminating because “something is wrong”
- You will innately love your child no matter what
- Special Education Teacher turned Special Needs Mom
- Communicating with teachers
Links and resources:
- For more information on feed tubes: www.feedingtubeawareness.org
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Oh hey, bonus content: We are dishing on our childhood celebrity crushes and comparing them to our husbands!
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Today we are talking with a Special Education teacher who has seen so many inclusive changes throughout her 42 years of teaching. Lou talks to us today about how fought for changes for her kids, how she pushed her students to be the best they can be, and how she created a special education student-run coffee shop that has led to kids finding jobs throughout our community!
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Hidden talents + sass
- How inclusion changed throughout her career
- Ask questions about their abilities
- Experiences outside of the classroom
- RiverBucks
Links and resources:
- For more information on feed tubes: www.feedingtubeawareness.org
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Sarah is stepping in as a guest co-hostess this week to talk with Suz about anticipatory grief. Both of these mamas have two children with life threatening diseases. Both mamas are incredibly open and honest about a form of grief that is rarely discussed.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Balancing fear and hope
- Grief paired with mom-guilt
- Symptoms of Anticipatory Grief: fear, anxiety, rehearsal of death
- Anticipatory grief vs. Grief after loss
- Social Media
- Coping with anticipatory grief
Links and resources:
- For more information on feed tubes: www.feedingtubeawareness.org
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
It is Feeding Tube Awareness Week! Amy is joining us to share a now-it’s-funny tubie story with us!
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
It is the annual Feeding Tube Awareness Week! A time for people to share a bit about their journey as “Tubie Families” and not only educate those outside of our community, but support those within our community who are still navigating their way with a tube fed child. Danielle, our guest hostess, joins Suz to talk about their experiences with feeding tubes today! Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss: Fears and anxiety about getting a tube The first time it was pulled Tips and Tricks Feeding tube myths and the truths Links and resources: For more information on feed tubes: www.feedingtubeawareness.org Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Today's 4AM Bonus Topic: If you could have any job, other than your own, in a make believe world, what would you do and why?
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Last week we met Meredith and learned about her family of four children, two of which have disabilities. Today Meredith is talking about her journey as a special needs mom who is also homeschooling her kids. Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Making the decision to homeschool
- Support for special education homeschooling
- Charlotte Mason and the feast
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
4AM: Bad Haircuts
Suz asked Diane about all the bad haircuts she has ever given. We dive into the psychology and artistry behind hair cutting and mullets.
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Meredith is a mom of four children, including one who has cerebral palsy and another who has down syndrome. Today’s episode was as if two new mom friends sat down and had coffee together. We bonded over things like medical trauma and PTSD, chatted about life receiving heavy news over the phone, and marveled in the beauty that this chaotic life still gives us. Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss: * Receiving a Down Syndrome diagnosis over the phone * Adjusting as a family with two disabled children * ICU Trauma + PTSD * What it's like being a military family far from home
Links and resources: * Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast * Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety * Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast * Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta * See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
4AM: Planners for Planners
Are you a paper planner person or a digital planner person? Or maybe you are a no-planner person. We are chatting about that and a few other nonsensical things today!
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Channing is a rare disease mama who has faced many ups and lots of downs over the last decade of motherhood. Her daughter, Peytan, has a condition called Cystinosis and is in need of a kidney donation. Today Channing is bravely opening up with us about how her anxiety has affected her and her family as they face the unknowns of a rare disease.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Peytan was diagnosed with Cystinosis at 15 months old
- Parenting a rare disease child and a healthy child together
- Living vs deceased kidney donor
- Knowing your anxiety and taking care of your needs
- How you can help Peytan (organ transplant process OR buying a cozy blanket!)
Links and resources:
- Find out if you are eligible to be a kidney donor: sentara.donorscreen.org (You must list Peytan Taylor as the specific recipient.)
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
We are so excited to be back! Today we are chatting about resolutions, surviving a half marathon, if Diane ate less cheese dip in ‘21, finding therapy, and our goals for 2022.
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Hello Season TWO in 2022! Today Suz and Diane are kicking off the new season back together, talking about milestones and goals for our medically complex, disabled children.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Do you actually do all the goals?
- Inch-stones vs Milestones
- Checklists and boxes
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
One year of amazing stories. One year of inspirational guests. One year of learning how to use our mics. One year of friendships. One year of hope.
It has been a year. Thank you all for being on this journey with us. Today we are sharing a conversation between Suz and Diane that is our wrap up episode for 2021. Will see see you all again in 2022!
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Jen’s story has so many layers, it deserved two episodes! This week we are talking about a life changing decision Jen and her husband made to place their son Silas in a facility for disabled children. Jen openly talks about the decision making process, the grief and guilt she felt, and the blessings and heartaches she has experienced because of this decision.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Home health
- Lack of services when the family needs it
- Placing your child in a health facility
- Facing the valleys of grief, decisions, trauma
- Life’s gifts and beauty
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Trauma. Grief. Heartache. I know so many of us face these things on a daily basis. Today’s story is no different. Years into her journey, Jen is able to share details of her family, specifically of her two boys Carter and Silas. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis tragically changed life as Jen knew it, forever.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Carter and an “ear infection”
- Silas born prematurely
- Deja vu: fighting for Silas’ life
- Going from a typical healthy child to a disabled child in four months
- Losing 99% of your son
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
YOU give us hope and we are incredibly grateful for the support you have given us. At the end of every episode we ask our guests “What gives you hope?” but not today! Today we are getting ready for Thanksgiving! Earlier this month we asked you to call the When Autumn Comes Hotline and tell us what you are grateful for. In this episode you will hear what people all over the country are grateful for this Thanksgiving. Many thanks to everyone who took time from their busy lives to call and to be part of this episode. Happy Thanksgiving y’all!
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
This is your warning: There is no real point to this 4AM Bonus Content. We try to talk about Holiday shopping and somehow end up chatting about the EICU. (Elf Intensive Care Unit… Duh…)
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
This ride y’all… it’s a crazy one. A lot of us somehow ended up on a path we never expected to be on. It can be dark and cold, scary and lonely. But it can also be bright and warm, encouraging and friendly. Today Suz and Diane talk about the unexpected joys and gratitude they have as moms of disabled children.
Convos we shared that you can’t miss:
- Perspective
- Friendships
- Slowing down, being present
- Empathy
- Experiences and opportunities
- Inclusion
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Catch up with Suz: @suzgeoghegan on insta
- See what Diane is up to: @diane.kay.erdman on insta
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
This 4AM STARTED as a traditional When Autumn Comes episode but Suz and Diane got side tracked talking about pie and… well now it’s 4AM.
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Meet Stacie! Mama to Lainey and Calvin. Lainey has a rare genetic disease that can make their day-to-day lives incredibly unpredictable due to her main symptom, recurring attacks of paralysis that can affect one side of the body, the whole body, or even move from side to side. While Lainey’s condition may be rare, the topics in today’s episode are relatable to so many of the families in disabled community.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- At 5 months old Lainey was diagnosed with Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC)
- Pivoting plans when episodes pop up
- Our “talk-tracks” as medical mamas
- How have challenges affected your marriage?
Links and resources:
- Follow Stacie, Lainey and family: @lifting_up_lainey
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
It has been over a month since Suz and Di saw each other. Today they are reconnecting for the first time and chatting about so many things. Suz shares the details about botox and Lorelei’s Wishbeads Cause Bracelet that is now available, Diane talks about her Garden Elf and skin care products! There is also a lot of rambling but it’s fun rambling so we hope y’all join the convo in the When Autumn Comes Society!
Links and resources:
- Lorelei’s Wishbeads Bracelet: www.suzgeoghegan.com/wishbeads
- BeautyCounter with Diane: www.beautycounter.com/dianeerdman
- 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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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Today we are sharing a conversation that Diane and I recorded on a whim after a friend sent me a text about her mixed emotions about her daughter’s recent IEP meeting. We chat about struggles with the school system, home based schooling, navigating medically complex children while navigating the school process and... well, germs. This episode was recorded late in June 2021, two weeks before Lorelei died. There are things that were said may be hard from some people to listen to, as it’s almost haunting now, knowing what happened.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- All the feels at the IEP meetings
- Seeing it in writing
- All the feels with home based school
- Lorelei
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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Meet Megan! She is a sister with a lot of siblings, three of which are disabled. We are pretty sure Megan is a unicorn example of a sister but we are hopeful there are more out there like her. Megan is real and honest with us, explaining why she feels more comfortable with the disabled community, how she acts as many roles for her siblings and how she faces grief after losing her sister.
Convos you do not want to miss:
- Born into a family with disabled siblings
- Unexpectedly losing her sister
- Grief on so many levels
- One on one time with parents
Links and resources:
- Follow Megan on instagram: @mmcharlotte_
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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For the first time ever, Suz and Di meet IN PERSON. They share a bit about their time together and we quickly realize that they are much better at recording separately than together. Sorry for the not-so-stellar audio but it was windy and they were socially distant, on the porch, in the rain, wearing matching Lauren Daigle merch from the concert the night before.
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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There are so many different titles we pick up as moms of disabled children: nurse, therapist, teacher, advocate, comforter, and of course, mom. But some of us become frequent flyers in the hospital. We hoped to become soccer moms, but instead we are hospital moms. Today you will meet Aubree as she talks about her three unique and medically complex children, and how they have adjusted and adapted to life as a medical, hospital family.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Managing the care for multiple children with medical complexities
- What long-distance, long-term hospital stays do to the entire family
- How do you not lose yourself as a mom of chronically complex children?
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Don’t forget that for now, as Suz is trying to get back into the swing of things with life, we are flip flopping our traditional WAC episodes with our 4AM content. This week you are getting a candid 4AM Mom Convo about working out, or lack thereof, with special guest, Benji.
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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Today we are chatting with Catherine, a pediatric speech-language pathologist. She is one of the most loving and passionate people you will ever chat with and as two moms we are thrilled to hear her perspective from the other side of the therapy sessions.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- What is speech therapy and what role does an ST have in pediatrics?
- Power of the Pause!
- Communication isn’t only verbal
- The relationship with your child’s therapist
- Evaluations
- Teaching our children about differences
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
September is NICU Awareness Month so this month we wanted to showcase a journey that involved the NICU. Today Georgette talks about her son’s grand entrance, their NICU experience and how her faith carried her through it. She opens up about when she was vulnerable and begged her community to pray for her son. Georgette wrote "Arrival of the Warrior Prince" to share the first year of Benjamin's life and their NICU experience.
Convos we shared that you can’t miss:
- Coffin Siris Syndrome
- Benjamin’s grand entrance and the NICU
- Be a medical consumer
- Using your community to give you strength
Links and resources:
- Connect with Georgette on Facebook
- Order her book Arrival of the Warrior Prince
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Don’t forget that for now, as Suz is trying to get back into the swing of things with life, we are flip flopping our traditional WAC episodes with our 4AM content. This week you are getting a candid 4AM Mom Convo about online shopping, life and our new “drop the ish” segment.
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: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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Meet Leah: She is articulate, creative, passionate and relatable to so many of us. Today we share a candid, engaging conversation between three moms. Leah has faced the ups and downs as a mom of three and she openly talks about it with us today. Leah’s daughter, Jordan, has a rare chromosomal disorder called Cri Du Chat. She has twin boys, Oliver and Austin, who also contributed to her “medical motherhood” resume. Leah is the definition of empathy, kindness and advocacy. Her latest book, Loving You Big, is available for pre-order.
Convos we shared that you can’t miss:
- The breaking point for mama
- Power in communication and choices
- Changing the narrative of disability
- Bringing the world in
Links and resources:
- Connect with Leah www.lovingyoubig.com or on social @lovingyoubig
- Pre-Order Leah’s latest book (because THIS is an author’s love language)
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Grief journeys are different for everyone. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, grieving the news of a diagnosis, grieving a life path you didn’t expect, or watching someone you love experience grief… this episode is for you. Today’s guest Anne is a chaplain and bereavement coordinator. She facilitates today’s conversation to help normalize the discussion of grief. Susan gives us insight into the questions we have all been wondering in hopes of bringing others comfort and helping people know what to say.
Topics we discuss that you can’t miss:
- Grief assumptions and expectations
- Let’s normalize talking about grief
- There is no social script for helping a family with chronically ill or disabled children
- Walk with them even if you’re uncomfortable
- A day at the beach
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
After some time off, we are back! Suz and Di are dusting off their microphones and are so excited to get back to work on the When Autumn Comes Podcast. Today we share the changes that you will be seeing for WAC and then we chat about hope. Because what is hope when things do not go the way you envisioned?
Convos we shared that you can’t miss:
- Where WAC is going and the new schedule
- What is hope when so much has been taken?
- Drop it like it’s hot…
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Far from a traditional When Autumn Comes episode, but today, Susan shares the eulogy she wrote and read at Lorelei’s Celebration of Life on 7.20.21. Lorelei taught the world so many things, but here are just 15 Lessons she taught her mama.
Links and resources:
- Visit the Friday’s With Lorelei facebook page for updates on the family: www.facebook.com/FridaysWithLorelei
- Connect with Suz on insta: http://instagram.com/SuzGeoghegan
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Thank you for your understanding as we have taken a break from WAC. As most of you know, Susan’s daughter Lorelei earned her angel wings last week. Today, in a raw and unedited conversation, Susan is opening up her heart and talking about Lorelei’s passing. We will return when our hearts are ready, with more interviews. In the meantime, join us on Facebook as we celebrate sweet Lorelei.
Links and resources:
- Visit the Friday’s With Lorelei facebook page for funeral updates: www.facebook.com/FridaysWithLorelei
- Connect with Suz on insta: http://instagram.com/SuzGeoghegan
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Suz may or may not have had too much wine (and a lot of enchiladas) the night before recording a handful of WAC episodes. Then we debate fries vs chips. If you could eat only fries or only chips for the rest of your life - which would you pick?
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Michelle’s daughter attended EEU as a neurotypical student, so it was a no-brainer that her son Kellen would also be a student there. To the surprise of the family, Kellen was at the right place because, while already in an inclusive environment, they found out that he has Autism. Today, Michelle, a single, co-parenting mama, is sharing her story of navigating this diagnosis, not feeling worthy some days and exploring inclusion.
Convos we shared that you can’t miss:
- Autism is part of this family’s story
- The Experimental Education Unit
- Navigating an Autism diagnosis
- Not feeling worthy to have “bad days”
- Co-parenting as a special needs family
Links and resources:
- Connect with Michelle and listen to her podcast: www.proseccotheory.com
- Learn more about EEU: https://haringcenter.org/eeu/
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
The dads of the unofficial 5AM Dad Club are joining Suz and Di today for this piece of Father’s Day bonus content. Sit back and awkwardly giggle as the two couples play a version of the newlywed game!
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
In honor of Father’s Day, we have our first medical, special needs dad on the show! Lane Hagen is the husband to Catherine and father of Libby (and her two siblings). When she was less than two weeks old, there was medical error in the NICU that harmed Libby, causing her to have severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy with an unknown future. Lane has learned so much from his daughter’s life and founded Libby’s Friends, a nonprofit that helps families in Alabama’s special needs community receive equipment and help.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Day 12 in the NICU: the incident that changed their lives
- Lane talks about his faith and his role as a husband
- Libby’s Friends, a nonprofit founded by the family to help other children and families
Links and resources:
- Learn more about Lane, Libby and Libby’s Friends: https://libbysfriends.org/
- Read more: whenautumncomes.com/lane-unfortunately-unfortunate
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
We are coming to you on location today… from a campsite in Virginia Beach! Sorry if the quality isn’t stellar but it’s Susan’s birthday! Her RV is stocked like a mobile clinic for her kids but of course we didn’t plan ahead enough to actually have the champagne AND the orange juice for birthday mimosas…
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Often, as an entry into special needs parenthood, moms and dads are given a poem by Emily Perl Kingsley titled “Welcome to Holland.” This poem explains to the reader how it feels to arrive in Holland when you were planning a dream vacation to Italy. Suz and Diane chat about this poem and how it makes each of them feel throughout an often isolating, surprising form of parenthood.
Topics you do not want to miss:
- Welcome to Holland - the poem
- This poem is comforting to some, and hurts others
- Italy isn’t always perfect
- ‘My barn burned down’ metaphor
Links and resources:
- Welcome to Holland Poem: http://www.dsasc.ca/uploads/8/5/3/9/8539131/welcome_to_holland.pdf
- The Trouble with Welcome to Holland’ blog post by Kristen Groseclose: https://smithkingsmore.org/the-trouble-with-welcome-to-holland/
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join us in the WAC Society: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow Diane on Insta: @Diane.Kay.Erdman
- Follow Susan on Insta: @suzgeoghegan
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We know that you have so many life questions. And we want this podcast to be a place to answer as many of your questions as possible so we are starting a new series called “Just Ask Us”. Today we are talking about summer weather + thighs, finding a campground, and wearing bras + makeup post pandemic.
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Join the When Autumn Comes Society to chat about all-things-pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Music for the ‘Just Ask Us’ intro is called “Quirky Dog” by Kevin McLeod – https://filmmusic.io/song/4259-quirky-dog – License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
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Dr Ami Mehta, a pediatric pain and palliative care doctor at CHKD. Today we have a candid conversation about how she helps care for children with complex medical needs, in addition to end of life care. She helps us understand what kind of role palliative care can have for medical or special needs children. As you listen, you cannot help but feel Dr Mehta’s passion when it comes to caring for her patients and their families.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- What is a pediatric palliative care doctor and how is it different from adult palliative care?
- What brought you into this line of medicine?
- Relationship building with patients
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join the WAC Society to talk about all things pod related: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
423AM: Apparently we are influencers, for ourselves, because past 4AM episodes convinced Suz to get botox. She talks about that today. Diane talks about how she whitens her teeth with her cell phone.
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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We are so happy to have Angela on the show, talking about her life as an Autism mom to two beautiful children. Not only were we delighted to talk to her, but we are so incredibly proud of Angela for opening up with us. Two years ago, she was still hiding the fact that her children had Autism from even her closest friends and family. Now, as she is working through the stages of grief and discovering the beauty that this life can bring - she is ready to share it with the world.
Conversations you do not want to miss:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder is the condition that affects this family
- Stages of grief
- State facts, don’t ask questions
- Discussing the future
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Join our Society where we chat about All-Things-Autumn-Pod: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesSociety
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Elizabeth, Kyan and Bodhi’s mom, joins us for today’s bonus content. She shares her story about connecting with a medium after Kyan passed away. Suz shares her story about a card reader in Key West. Both tales will give you goosebumps!
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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This is Part 2 to Elizabeth’s story. Go back to episode 21 and start there if you didn’t listen. After losing her first son Kyan at just 36 days old, Elizabeth has another son (after a pregnancy of more grief). She talks about the beautiful relationship that her son Bodhi has with his old brother in heaven and tells us how “The Man with the Tie” brought things full circle for her.
Highlights you do not want to miss:
- The emotions of having a second child after losing your first
- Fertility treatments and miscarriage
- The relationship Kyan and Bodhi share
- The man with the tie
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Lorelei, Susan's daughter, went to Girl Scout Camp as part of her bucket list and we are chatting about it today!
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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After complications during labor, Elizabeth and her husband spent 36 precious, traumatic, beautiful, scary days on Earth with their son Kyan James. Today she talks to us about their NICU experience, processing the unknown and then facing the worst case scenario, losing her first child. We talk about grief. Lots and lots of grief - with a reminder to all mamas and families going through their own grief - just keep going. Elizabeth encourages you to give yourself grace and take your time, as much time as you need.
Highlights you do not want to miss:
- Together at the same time, without blending the two
- The Bucket List in the NICU
- Still: Grief is a personal journey and it’s gradual
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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What do solo cups, dog beds, fruit baskets and pouches have in common? We consider them brilliant mom hacks for our medical and special needs kids. Join us today for this When Autumn Comes bonus content where a couple of moms share some of their must have, random items, that they cannot survive without!
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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We LOVE this unique and collaborative episode of When Autumn Comes! With the help of our listeners we are celebrating all the mamas today! We asked you to write a letter for a mama in a similar journey as yours, as a way to comfort and love on her. You guys delivered. Unfortunately we could not include every single letter but please know we read or listened to each one. We are grateful for your love and support. Happy Mothers Day!
Letters You Do Not Want To Miss:
2:40 Dear Mom Who is Breastfeeding and Pumping
3:44 Dear Medical Mom who is Fighting Anxiety
5:20 Dear Mom to my Disabled Child’s Peers
8:45 Dear Twin Mama
11:20 Dear Mama Who is Facing a Terminal Disease Diagnosis
14:04 Dear Mom Who has Medical AND Typical Children
17:05 Dear Godmothers, Aunties and Mother Figures
18:07 Dear Mom, from a Grandmother
20:14 Dear Aunt Struggling with Guilt
21:52 Dear Moms Watching Their Daughters Raise Complex Children
23:05 Dear Foster Mama
24:37 Dear Fellow Grieving Mothers
26:57 Dear Working Mother
27:54 Dear NICU Mom
29:58 Dear All Moms, Including My Mom in Heaven
32:05 Dear Mamas Who are Trying to Build Their Family
34:19 Dear Mom to a Child Who is Newly Diagnosed with Down Syndrome
35:59 Dear Mama Who is So, So, So Tired
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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Let’s be real - there are a lot of things we use every.single.day as medical and special needs mamas - like wine and mascara - that get us through every.single.day. But what about those other random products that we just can’t live without? Today Diane and Suz are talking about the top three products that each of them LOVE. (None of these are sponsored products… we just really love them.)
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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Alanna is the kind of mom you want to be best friends with... She is real. She is pure. And she is incredibly positive. As a stay at home, military, mom of four, she has one special needs daughter, Francesca.
Highlights you do not want to miss:
- The disease that affects this family is a form of mitochondrial disease called Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Disorder.
- Family dynamics when your children range from 13 years old to 7 months old!
- Sisterly bonds
- The joy and love that Francesca brings to their family
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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Today we talk about how Diane is more than a special needs mom… she lives and breathes to be a SPORTS MOM. We talk about her life as a Sports Mom on the sidelines of the field and court. At which point Suz realizes even though she THOUGHT she always wanted to be a sports mom, she is thankful her kids cannot walk, ergo she doesn’t have to give her weekends away.
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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Today Susan and Diane are sitting down together to chat about things that they are insecure or lack confidence in… beyond special needs and medical parenthood.
Moments you do not want to miss:
- This body grew humans…
- Friendships
- Giving yourself grace
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow Diane on Insta: @Diane.Kay.Erdman
- Follow Susan on Insta: @suzgeoghegan
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
To say this is the most random 4AM Mom Club bonus content we have done… that may be an understatement. I honestly have no clue what we talked about…
I think we discussed:
- Last week’s Hope
- Grandma Sue Gives Me Hope
- Meeting Diane + Lauren Daigle
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
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Meet Dr Jenna Wheeler from Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida. Susan met Jenna on a family vacation gone-bad when Lorelei ended up in the APH Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Today we have a rare, candid conversation with a Critical Care Doctor. Rare because when in medical mom life do we ever casually sit around and chat with an ICU doc that isn’t in the midst of a traumatic experience??
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Dr Wheeler was a “hospital kid” growing up and talks about how it has affected her practice
- Medical Mamas know their kids best and assures us that what we are doing is hard
- She shares how she connects with her patients even on the tragic days
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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This isn't our normal 4AM Mom Club bonus content... dare I say this is better? Suz spent the week in the PICU with her daughter Lorelei. When times are tough, we find ourselves asking: What gives me hope? We asked our listeners what gives them hope... and boy did lift our spirits and share hope with us and the world.
Do you want more bonus content like this? Because we enjoyed making it! Let us know! And give us a good 5 star rating while you're at it... good reviews help other medical and special needs mamas (and the people who love them) find When Autumn Comes.
From Norfolk, VA, Brittany is the mama of Liam and Cleo. Liam battled Cystic Fibrosis, paired with other complications until he passed at five years old in the Fall of 2020. In this episode, Brittnay articulates and shares the love and strength that medical and special needs moms pour into their children.
Highlights you do not want to miss:
- The disease that affects this family is Cystic Fibrosis + Cerebral Palsy
- Processing the shortened life expectancy
- After losing her son, she is “just a typical mom” to the outside world
- The joy and light that Liam gave the world and his family
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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Suz is at the beach and we didn’t have a plan for this 4AM content. So the conversation is all over the place.
Talking points you don’t want to miss:
- Weekend at Bernie’s
- Urine in the night guard… oy.
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
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Stephanie is a medical, special needs mama from Texas. When her daughter Addie was born, she entered parenthood on the front row of the NICU Rollercoaster. When facing the unexpected dips, twists, stops and gos of the coaster - Stephanie and her family decided they were not going to let Addie’s medical conditions, or the NICU/PICU, stop them from making the best of this journey. She is one of the most positive, upbeat mamas we have met and now, she is an author of a #1 best selling children’s book called Authentically Addie.
Chit-Chats you do not want to miss:
- The “something is wrong” conversation at the 20 week ultrasound
- Making the best of the NICU
- Self-care in the hospital
- Authentically Addie
Links and resources:
- Find Stephanie on her blog: http://www.thevintagemodernwife.com/
- Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @Mathewsbambina
- Learn more about Authentically Addie: http://authenticallyaddiebooks.com/
- Purchase Authentically Addie on Amazon
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
This is one of the most random pieces of WAC: 4AM Bonus Content. When you hear a man's voice - don't freak out... you're in the right place.
Highlights you don’t want to miss:
- Call our hotline! Tell us a funny story!
- Diane shares her nipple-pinchin’ story that she swore she wasn’t going to share on the pod
- Suz talks about making the starbucks staff cry because of her dog
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
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Amanda Rogers, Licensed Professional Counselor (and college roomie of Susan), joins us today to give her professional insight for special needs and medical moms. We talk about fatigue: compassion, empathy and decisions.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- What we mean when we say “I’m tired”
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy concepts
- Protecting ourselves with boundaries
- Meditation and being present: Refuel and Rejuvenate
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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We have some exciting 4AM Mom Club news in this episode! We also talk about childhood yard sale trauma that has led to a lifelong stuffed animal hoarding problem.
Highlights you don’t want to miss:
- Fascia Fix with Erin will be available monthly within the 4AM Mom Club for members only!
- Diane and Suz share their Fascia Fix experience
- Suz explains why she cannot get rid of her stuffed animals
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
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Carissa is a boy mom, through and through. Within her tribe of three boys, her oldest, Caleb, has Coffin Siris Syndrome and Autism. Carissa shares her story as a special needs parent, breaking down the chapters she has gone through and the one she is in now.
Topics you do not want to miss:
- Communication isn’t always verbal
- Scary chapters of the story verse stable chapters
- Creating a community when you need it
Links and resources:
- Learn more about the Coffin-Siris Foundation: https://www.coffinsiris.org
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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Mary Lenaburg joined us for the 4AM “after show” this week! Just a bunch of medical, special needs moms, sitting around, virtually gabbing about life during the “Sourdough Pandemic” and how it brought Mary a Daughter-in-law!
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Mary is a strong, faithful, snarky, Christian mama who’s daughter, Courtney, taught her what it truly means to surrender to God. Today Mary shares her faith-filled journey as a medical, special needs mom.
Highlights you do not want to miss:
- “The conversation” with a new resident
- Surrendering your child, daily
- Redemptive Suffering
- The Light of Dawn: Be Brave in the Scared
- Marriage, Relationships, and Casseroles
- The Binder of Love
Links and resources:
- Get to know Mary better: https://www.marylenaburg.com, https://www.facebook.com/MaryLenaburgWriter, or @marylenaburg on instagram.
- Purchase Mary’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-E-Lenaburg/e/B07HVWDRHM?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1615240327&sr=8-2
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
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This is some excellent quality bonus content for the When Autumn Comes Podcast. Seriously, you get to listen to Suz taste cookies. You don’t get to taste them, you just listen to her taste them. And then Di makes a poopy pool confession.
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Today’s guest is our first, non-special needs mom guest. Dr Sammy Vergano is a geneticist at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. She is here to offer moms like us a candid conversation about life working with rare kiddos.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
- Geneticist vs Genetic Counselor
- Delivering news and practicing medicine
- Just because they are rare doesn’t mean they are wrong
Links and resources:
- Dr Vergano works closely with the Coffin-Siris Foundation. Read more about them here: https://www.coffinsiris.org/
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Our kids don’t sleep and apparently when we actually do sleep - we have weird dreams. Welcome to the 4AM Mom Club.
Random dreams you don’t want to miss:
- Crossdressing Husband
- High School Nightmares
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Once a year, on the rarest day, the rarest diseases and rarest warriors are celebrated around the world. In this episode of When Autumn Comes we are celebrating Rare Disease Day by sharing statistics from www.rarediseaseday.org and stories from our rare, amazing listeners.
Highlights you do not want to miss:
- Adorable kiddos on our hotline and their amazing strong mamas who did the dialing
- 1 in 20 people are affected by a rare disease. This isn’t counting the friends, family and caregivers who are also affected.
- Lorelei’s Diagnosis Day is Rare Disease Day!
- How being rare-families makes us feel…
Links and resources:
- Learn more about Rare Disease Day: www.rarediseaseday.org
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
In this snippet of When Autumn Comes Bonus Content Suz and Di talk about tattoos. Then you learn that Diane believes hummingbirds eat jelly - not juice. Welcome to the 4AM Mom Club.
Highlights you don’t want to miss (or maybe you do?):
- Tattoos - who has them?
- Suz has a hummingbird mask and a slight obsession with the tiny birds
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? http://www.4am-mom-club.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Unfortunately chronic trauma and living in crisis mode is normal for special needs and medical moms. In this episode, we talk about The Ring Theory. This brilliant theory was created by Silk and Goodman - and it helps us explain what to do in a crisis.
Highlights you do not want to miss:
- Comfort in, Dump out
- Handling daily crises and unexpected PICU stays
- How to comfort inward
- The value of the outer rings - hint, we need you!
Links and resources:
- Learn more about the Ring Theory here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/promoting-hope-preventing-suicide/201705/ring-theory-helps-us-bring-comfort-in
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Sarah joins the 4AM Mom Club today. This bonus content is basically the after show of our last WAC episode. We talk, off the cuff, about God, Grief, Comparison and life and how we handle it as shouty moms.
Highlights you don’t want to miss:
- Temper tantrums + Why us God?
- Comparisons
- Foster Parents for God
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? https://whenautumncomes.com/4am-momclub/
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Sarah is a mom of four boys, two of which have Duschenne Muscular Dystrophy. Sarah shares what it was like receiving the diagnosis for Caleb… and the shock of receiving it again for her youngest, Dunky.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
-
The disease that affects this family is Duschenne Muscular Dystrophy
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Blending a family with an age gap and how quickly her older boys had to grow up
-
Walking the line of quality of life vs. quantity of life
Links and resources:
-
Follow Sarah and her family on their website: http://www.kasnerskickduchenne.org/
-
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
-
Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Whether you are a special needs or medical mom, or someone who loves one, make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Here’s a little bonus content for ya. If this is the first 4AM Mom Club you are joining us for… it’s not normal. Skip it. It’s kinda boring and kinda disturbing all at the same time. Suz and Diane are chatting about foot peels today…
Stories you don’t want to miss:
-
Are you a peeler?
-
Would you let your daughter peel your feet?
Links and resources:
-
Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? https://whenautumncomes.com/4am-momclub/
-
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
-
Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Anne, a brave and strong mother, shares her son Parker with us today. Not only do we discuss special needs parenthood, but we talk about her bumpy entry into motherhood as she navigated the complexities of her postpartum depression and anxiety.
Topics we talked about that you do not want to miss:
-
ADHD and Autism affect this family
-
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety: how it has affected her relationship with her son
-
Triggers for Mom when your child has special needs
Links and resources:
-
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
-
Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
This is a fun bonus place where we basically record random 4AM Mom Club conversations between Suz + Diane. Janice is back again this week to give us a review of her new Spanx and we try to find her a new hobby… Crocheting, except Suz cannot spell it correctly.
Stories you don’t want to miss:
- She’s bringing sexy back!
- Can someone tell me how to actually spell crow-shitting?
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? https://whenautumncomes.com/4am-momclub/
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Once-ish a month, Susan and Diane are more than just your podcast hostesses talking with other special needs and medical moms. Instead, it's just the two of them, casually chatting over a beverage of choice, while opening themselves up to raw conversations together. This week they are taking on the topic of trauma and opening their hearts. Susan’s daughter, Lorelei, recently had an unexpected PICU stay for two brain surgeries. It led us to this conversation and we feel like so many of our listeners may relate.
Moments you do not want to miss:
- Facing trauma: How you handle it versus how your significant other handles it
- We talk about coping mechanisms
- Handling the “fixers” in our lives
- Triggers that bring trauma to the surface
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow Diane on Insta: @Diane.Kay.Erdman
- Follow Susan on Insta: @suzgeoghegan
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Our kids don’t sleep, so we started the 4AM Mom Club. This is a fun bonus place where we basically record random 4AM Mom Club conversations between Suz + Diane. Today we invited another mom, Janice Belcher, to join the convo!
Highlights of this bonus content that you do not want to miss:
- Botox: Can they do botox in your cleavage?
- Spanx: Yay or Nay?
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? https://whenautumncomes.com/4am-momclub/
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Janice, an incredibly strong mito mother, recently lost her beautiful daughter, Juliet. In this episode of When Autumn Comes, Janice opens her heart and shares raw and honest feelings about her journey as a special needs parent.
Moments you do not want to miss:
- Mitochondrial Disease affects this family
- The roller coaster that is parenting a child with a chronic, life threatening disease
- Finding gifts in unexpected places
- What to say (or not say) to a grieving mother
Links and resources:
- Juliet’s Website: http://www.julietchristina.com
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating and a review! Thank You!
Our kids don’t sleep, so we started the 4AM Mom Club. This is a fun bonus place where we basically record random 4AM Mom Club conversations between Suz + Diane.
Stories you don’t want to miss:
- You read it right, a hotdog. In the mailbox.
- We google signs of swinging…
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? https://whenautumncomes.com/4am-momclub/
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Amy is the most amazing mother for her two sons Miles and Max. She puts her heart and soul into parenting - and balances it gracefully with work and life and everything else. Every day Amy tries to remind herself of the legacy she and her family are creating for this world.
Highlights from the episode:
- Living with no diagnosis
- Creating and asking for support when you need it
- Giving back to the community
- The legacy her son will leave on the world
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
403AM: Lightning + Speed Walking
Our kids don’t sleep, so we started the 4AM Mom Club. This is a fun bonus place where we basically record random 4AM Mom Club conversations between Suz + Diane.
Stories you don’t want to miss:
- Susan was struck by lightning
- 90s and early 2000s technology - what did you have?
- Olympic speed walking
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? https://whenautumncomes.com/4am-momclub/
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
This week we are introducing you to our other hostess, Diane, and her incredible family. Diane and Susan talk about how the Diane’s family was introduced into the world of special needs.
Highlights from the episode:
- The Mom Gut: Knowing something isn’t right when the doctors felt different
- Living without an official diagnosis
- The team players that helped get Selah the care she needed
- Parenting two typical kids and one with extra needs, and the perspective it gives you.
Links and resources:
- Follow Diane on Instagram: @diane.kay.erdman
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
402AM: New Year's Resolutions + Dill Dip
Our kids don’t sleep, so we started the 4AM Mom Club. This is a fun bonus place where we basically record random 4AM Mom Club conversations between Suz + Diane.
Resolutions & Convos you don’t want to miss:
- Dill Dip - is this the same thing as Ranch Dip?
- Therapy in 2021
- Planners and erasable pens for to-do lists
- What is self-care for special needs mamas?
Links and resources:
- Want to join the 4AM Mom Club? https://whenautumncomes.com/4am-momclub/
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Technically our second episode, but it feels like the first. The When Autumn Comes Podcast is going to share interviews with mamas and the stories of their children. We are kicking things off with Susan, one of our co-hostesses, and her amazing kiddos, Lorelei and Benji.
Highlights from the episode:
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The diagnosis that affects the family is Mitochondrial Disease
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Hear Susan talk about going from a “normal pregnancy” to a 77 day NICU stay with a rare disease diagnosis
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What it felt like getting a diagnosis very early and how it could affect future children
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Coping and processing life with two special needs children with a life threatening condition
Links and resources:
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Follow Susan’s kids on facebook: www.facebook.com/FridaysWithLorelei
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Lorelei & Benji’s Fund for a Mito Cure: chop.donordrive.com/campaign/Lorelei
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Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
-
Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Our kids don’t sleep, so we started the 4AM Mom Club. This is where we share bonus content so we can all get to know each other beyond the seriousness of When Autumn Comes.
You don’t want to miss:
- We have old lady names.
- Speed round get-to-know-us questions.
Links and resources:
- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenAutumnComesPodcast
- Follow us on Instagram: @WhenAutumnComesPodcast
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories of medical and special needs parenting from families like yours.
And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review? Thanks!
Special needs parenting is hard and isolating. In this pilot episode of When Autumn Comes Podcast you meet Susan and Diane, aka the 4AM Mom Club, for the very first time. Technically they have never met so hey, let’s do this thing!
You don’t want to miss:
- The mission and hope for When Autumn Comes.
- Our intent is to share a new episode every Wednesday.
- The 4AM Mom Club, are you joining us?
- An explanation of how to get your story shared on our show!
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