ETB 52:  Have you ever wondered what it takes to raise a child with Down syndrome? Embark on an intimate journey with Susan Aguilar, a mother who shares the honest truth about the joys and challenges she’s encountered while raising her son, Adrian. From the ease of his younger years to the hurdles of his adulthood, she paints a vivid picture of their undying resilience.

We unravel the secrets of her success in homeschooling a child with Down Syndrome, with Susan sharing her experiences of crafting and tweaking curriculums for Adrian. Experience the flexibility of homeschooling firsthand, and appreciate how it has allowed Adrian to hone essential skills.  We then shed light on a darker side of their journey, as Susan recounts their struggles with Adrian’s anxiety, which ebbs and flows with  the weekdays and weekends. Our discussion about the impact behavioral therapist, Josie Avila brought, reveals the coping strategies that have been instrumental in managing Adrian’s anxiety.

Lastly, we look towards the horizon as we envision Adrian’s future. As Susan shares her dreams for Adrian’s independence, we talk about the importance of a robust personal support network. Ending on an uplifting note, we introduce you to Adrian’s Tasty Treats, a testament to Adrian’s entrepreneurial spirit. This endeavor not only helps Adrian manage his anxiety but also enhances his social skills. We invite you to join us as we celebrate love, resilience, and hope in this unparalleled journey of parenting.

Adrian’s Tasty Treats
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088650903014

The Jet Pac
https://www.thejetpac.com/

Swallowing and Speech Services
https://www.swallowingandspeechservices.com/

Psychologist
https://www.drmgarcia.com/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/michelle-garcia-the-woodlands-tx/77407

A Good Life Book
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Life-Your-Relative-Disability/dp/B000W5TBH6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28PO1Q01XYIOA&keywords=a+good+life+by+Al+Etmanski&qid=1693769736&sprefix=a+good+life+by+al+etmanski%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

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

ETB 51: Have you ever pondered over the therapeutic power of writing in dealing with overpowering emotions? Join me, Sandy Deppish, on this personal journey as I revisit an old blog post titled ‘It’s Not About Me.’ You’ll discover how documenting the highs and lows of raising a child with a disability has helped me process my feelings and paved the path for resilience and hope.

This episode is also a heartfelt tribute to my son Josiah, and all children living with disabilities – the true heroes of our stories. Their courage, strength, perseverance, and infectious joy in the face of daily struggles are awe-inspiring. I hope my recount of their journey brings you the same inspiration and admiration they bring me every day. Let’s embrace the blessings our amazing kids bring to our lives, together!

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

ETB 49: I’m thrilled to introduce you to Darcy, a devoted parent and former teacher who’s turned her personal journey into a mission to unlock the potential in children with Down syndrome. Imagine the heartache of knowing your child has thoughts, ideas, dreams locked away in their mind – simply because they struggle to communicate. Darcy, all too familiar with this struggle, has dedicated her life to tearing down these barriers using the unique and highly effective Speller’s Method.

Darcy’s son, Brady, is a loving 20-year-old with Down syndrome and apraxia. Darcy shares the trials, triumphs and transformative power of communication in Brady’s world. Overcoming common misconceptions and trauma often associated with Down syndrome, she paints a powerful picture of Brady’s journey. You’ll be inspired hearing how he has learned to express himself by spelling, sharing his dreams, and even using mathematical equations to make sense of his world.

Communication is more than just words. It’s a lifeline for individuals like Brady who face unique challenges due to Down syndrome and apraxia. Listen in as we delve into the importance of repetition, coaching, and purposeful motor skills in helping these children unlock their full potential. With Darcy’s insights, we hope to inspire parents, educators, and anyone touched by special needs, offering hope and strategies to foster communication and inclusivity. Lets celebrate Brady’s story – it’s a testament to the power of patience, love, and the right strategies. It’s proof that where there is a will, there is way – a way to unlock potential and give voice to beautiful minds.

Connect with Darcy:
https://brandnewday.life/

Email:
darcy@brandnewday.life

Brady, Darcy’s son is part of The Army of Spellers that is giving hope to new SPELLERS.
https://spellers.com/an-army-of-spellers/brady-mohr

UNDERESTIMATED
https://a.co/d/ioga9Xg

Spellers Movie
https://spellersthemovie.com/

Website for SPELLERS
https://spellers.com/about-spellers-method

FB:  Darcy Day  (you can find me with a picture of my son on a 26 letter board)
https://www.facebook.com/darcy.mohr.12

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

ETB 48: Have you heard about the positive impact of creating a personal network to support you as you care for your loved one with a disability?  Our guest, Jennifer Vincent, brings her experience as a parent and network facilitator to help answer this crucial question. Jennifer shares the importance of personal networks in empowering families and individuals with disabilities. She introduces us to the book, A Good Life for You and Your Relative with a Disability by Al Etmanski, a practical guide to establishing such networks that promote strategic planning, decision-making, and provide vital sustainability resources.

Navigating the journey with Jennifer, you’ll learn firsthand the intricate process of inviting members, defining roles, and fostering qualities essential for a thriving network. The lively discussions are peppered with enlightening insights on the significance of guest speakers, educational components, and the creation of a care notebook. She underlines the importance of the individual’s comfort and active participation as the team members work together to provide support.

We also get an intimate look into Jennifer’s personal journey of crafting a support network for her daughter, Alexandra.  The conversation touches on the role of a facilitator, and the importance of varying support types. Jennifer shares creative solutions to building a support network, like including family members, thinking out of the box to include other members and using Zoom for out-of-state connections.  This conversation is a goldmine for anyone looking to learn more about support networks for the special needs community, so tune in and join the discussion.

Jennifer is a licensed Vocational Nurse, president of GHFEDS: Galveston-Houston Families Exploring Down Syndrome, State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Council Member,  Partner in Policy Making 2018 graduate and a Texas Networks Connection Personal Network Facilitator.

Connect with Jennifer
Email address: Jennifervincent71@com

Texas Parent 2 Parent Website:
https://www.txp2p.org/

Texas Parent 2 Parent Care Notebook:
https://www.txp2p.org/services/family-to-family-health-info/care-notebook

Texas Network Connections:
https://www.txp2p.org/services/texas-network-connections

A Good Life for You and Your Relative with a Disability:
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Life-Your-Relative-Disability/dp/B000W5TBH6

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