ETB 47: Embracing the Voyage ~ Navigating a Cruise Vacation with Special Needs Young Adults with Mary Ann Hughes.

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ETB 47: Ever thought of how daunting the prospect of going on a vacation with special needs children might be? Imagine being a single parent to two wonderful boys on the autism spectrum and deciding to embark on a solo trip. That’s exactly what my guest, Mary Ann Hughes, courageously did. Mary Ann’s incredible journey of managing a cruise vacation with her sons is filled with insightful experiences and practical advice. We talk about the pre-journey preparations, making dining and accommodation comfortable, and special tips and tricks for sensory-sensitive children.

Mary Ann’s accounts are filled with realism and honesty, making it relatable for every parent or guardian navigating through similar paths. One of the highlights of our conversation is Mary Ann’s well-thought-out use of social stories to prepare her boys for the trip. We delve into the details of how she ensured a smoother journey via cruise, considering the comfort of consistency that it offers for her sons and many other families. We also share the importance of headphones and locating quiet spots, making the experience enjoyable for sensory-sensitive children.

Mary Ann talks about her business, Special Family Transitions which was birthed from her personal experience of navigating through the challenges of special needs divorce.  As a certified divorce coach she is able to provide guidance and support to others who find themselves in a similar situation.

Lastly, we shed light on the wealth of resources that are available for families with special needs children in the process of transitioning from school to life after school.. From private to public and church-based programs, we navigate through the sea of options and offer guidance on how to make the most of these resources.

It’s a heartening conversation filled with useful advice, personal anecdotes, and hope for those in the special needs community. Join us for an episode that promises to inspire, educate, and offer a fresh perspective.

Connect with Mary Ann:
Email address: Maryann@specialfamilytransitions.com

Website: https://www.specialfamilytransitions.com

Special Family Transitions Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/specialfamilytransitions

Special Family Transitions on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/specialfamilytransitions/

Special Family Transitions YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/@specialfamilytransitions

And here is a low-priced 1-hour course Mary Ann developed for moms of children with disabilities to learn how to plan for success in a special needs divorce:
https://maryannhughes.mastermind.com/masterminds/37115

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

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ETB 45: This is Part 2 of a 2 part interview.

In this episode I talk with Victoria De La Garza and her mother Jennifer Gongora about their business, VK Girl Creations.  Victoria started in her High School Life Skills class learning to knit beanie hats on a round knitting loom.  She held her first pop up market at age 18, selling beanies to her fellow classmates.  Now, at age 24, Victoria’s hobby has blossomed into a growing business. She currently sells handcrafted beanies, bracelets and T-shirts online and at local vendor markets. The motto that Victoria and Jennifer live by is, “If you believe it, you can achieve it!”.

Be sure to catch the Part 1 of this inspiring interview, ETB 44.

VK Girl Creations:
https://www.vkgirlcreations.com/

Victoria’s Photography Portfolio
https://intro2photographyg4.wixsite.com/victoria-de-la-garza

J.J. Watt Dream Big, Work Hard Award Winner – Victoria De La Garza
http://jjwfoundation.org/dbwh-winners/

Connect with Victoria and Jennifer:
IG:  https://www.instagram.com/vkgirl_creations/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/VKGirlCreations

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

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ETB 44:  In this episode I talk with Victoria De La Garza and her mother Jennifer Gongora about their business, VK Girl Creations.  Victoria started in her High School Life Skills class learning to knit beanie hats on a round knitting loom.  She held her first pop up market at age 18, selling beanies to her fellow classmates.  Now, at age 24, Victoria’s hobby has blossomed into a growing business. She currently sells handcrafted beanies, bracelets and T-shirts online and at local vendor markets. The motto that Victoria and Jennifer live by is, “If you believe it, you can achieve it!”.

Be sure to catch the 2nd part of this inspiring interview next Wednesday, September 21, 2022.

VK Girl Creations:
https://www.vkgirlcreations.com/

Victoria’s Photography Portfolio
https://intro2photographyg4.wixsite.com/victoria-de-la-garza

J.J. Watt Dream Big, Work Hard Award Winner – Victoria De La Garza
http://jjwfoundation.org/dbwh-winners/

Connect with Victoria and Jennifer:
IG:  https://www.instagram.com/vkgirl_creations/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/VKGirlCreations

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

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ETB 43:  If you have a child with a disability who likes to disrobe at night, I have just the thing for you!  For years we would wake in the wee hours of the morning to find our son undressed and sometimes enjoying finger paining fun with the contents of his full pull up!

When we discovered THIS product, it was a game changer!  I have 8 of these in larger sizes looking for a good home.  Reach out to me if they would make a difference in your life too and they are yours!

Little Keeper Sleeper
https://littlekeepersleeper.com/

Connect with Sandy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

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ETB 42:  In this episode I talk with Kathryn Kane-Neilson about her 19 year old son, Clark who has Down syndrome.   She talks about her experiences raising Clark, through life in NYC, through divorce, through medical misadventures and fresh beginnings in Texas.

Kathryn shared,  ” At 22 years old, I was aware of the fact that I was carrying a child with Down syndrome and it absolutely changed my paradigm.  it changed my brain.  Clark is the joy of my life.  He gave me purpose.”

GHFEDS – Greater Houston Families Exploring Down Syndrome
http://ghfeds.org/

Connect with Heather – frequently mentioned on this podcast!
Medicaid Resources Website:  http://texasmedicaidwaivers.com

Connect with Sandy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/