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ETB 34:  In this episode I talk with Beth Haas, teacher and mother of 3 beautiful daughters about her oldest daughter, Annalee who has Down syndrome.   During the 18th week of Beth’s first pregnancy, she and her husband John were told their unborn baby had hypoplastic left heart syndrome and was probably not going to be compatible with life.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. As the baby develops during pregnancy, the left side of the heart does not form correctly.  Without surgery, hypoplastic left heart syndrome is deadly, usually within the first few days or weeks of life.  With treatment, many babies survive, although most will have complications later in life

When they learned at birth that Annalee’s diagnosis was Down syndrome, not hypoplastic left heart syndrome, it was a miracle.

Annalee was in the NICU for a while and had open heart surgery at 23 months.  She also was unable to have thin liquids without aspirating them into her lungs, so initially she had an NG tube.  All of her liquids needed to be thickened for years, but with therapy and training and the right kinds of straws, Annalee eventually learned not to aspirate.

Now at age 17, Annalee is included in general education classes, participates in student council and was also invited to be a part of the Groundbreaker’s Leadership team at her high school.

She takes classes at the Kennedy Dance Studio, has choreographed her own dances, going all the way to the national level in the PTA Reflections Annual Art Contest under the category of Dance Choreography and brought home a bronze medal this year.  She has her own Youtube channel where you can see her perform some of her dances.

Annalee will be in the TET (Teacher Education Training) Class at high school this year,  teaching classes in the same elementary school where her mom teaches.  TET provides high school students with teaching experiences to determine whether or not they would like to pursue a career in public education.  The goal is for Annalee to get a certification to become a teacher’s assistant.

Teaching Your Child with Special Needs To Ride A Bicycle in 4 Easy Steps
https://twominuteparenting.com/how-to-teach-your-child-with-special-needs-to-bike-in-4-easy-steps/

Kennedy Dance Theatre:
https://www.kennedydance.com/

PTA Reflections
https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections

Connect with Annalee
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQrw1d2I2ShE0tcecHJBQbA

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 29:  In this 2nd half of a 2 part episode I talk with Ricky Broussard, Self-Advocate, Peer Support Leader and all around great guy, who at the age of 10 had to move out of his family’s home and into a large facility for people with disabilities.  Ricky lived in 4 different facilities over the next 29 years.  He went from  having most of his decisions made for him, to surrounding himself with people he knew and trusted to support him as he began to speak up for himself and advocate for changes in his life.

Today, Ricky lives in his own place, has an accessible van, hires his own support staff,  manages his schedule and  works full time at a job he loves.  As a Peer Support Leader, Ricky works for Imagine Enterprises, training others on self-advocacy and self-determination.  He’s traveled all over Texas, sharing his story and teaching others the importance of learning to advocate for themselves.

Ricky sits on various boards, speaks at state conferences, has won numerous awards and  has presented his testimony at legislative sessions in Austin.  He meets monthly with a group of self-advocates and is also a member of Toast Masters.

In 2013, the Ricky Broussard Act was signed into law. The law provides that improved and consistent transition services be available to high schoolers regardless of their school district, thus increasing the likelihood of graduates obtaining post-secondary education and employment opportunities.

Ricky believes anyone who wants to work, should be given every opportunity to do so.   He encourages others with a disability to pursue meaningful employment and says, “All we need is support, an opportunity and a chance!”

This is part 2 of a 2 part series.   If you haven’t heard the first half of Ricky’s  interview,  be sure to listen to it in its entirety.  You won’t want to miss any of his incredible story.

My Life With a Disability
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ewlo1-mDOOlqUmYj3GAig

Arc of Texas
https://www.thearcoftexas.org/

Arc of the Gulf Coast
https://thearc.org/chapter/the-arc-of-the-gulf-coast/

Imagine Enterprises
https://www.imagine-enterprises.org/

Gulf-Coast Self-Advocates
https://www.facebook.com/gulfcoastselfadvocates/

What is Self-Advocacy/Texas Advocates
http://www.texadvocates.org/our-history/

Texas Council for Development Disabilities
https://tcdd.texas.gov/

The Ricky Broussard Act:
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.tcase.org/resource/resmgr/Bill_Summaries/HB_617_Bill_Summary.pdf

The Arc of Texas 2021 Virginia Eernisse Legacy Award Winner – Ricky Broussard:
https://www.thearcoftexas.org/get-informed/newsroom/the-arc-of-texas-2021-virginia-eernisse-legacy-award-recipient-announced/

Connect with Ricky:
ricky.broussard@imagine-enterprises.org

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 27:  In this episode I talk with Vivecca Hartman, mother of 2 and new grandmother, about life with her 24 year old son Christopher, born with a rare genetic mutation, Leber Congenital Amaurosis. Physically healthy in every other way, his vision and hearing was all that was affected at birth.  Very curious, physically fit and funny, Christopher likes to stay active and keep busy.  He communicates with tactile sign language.  As long as he feels safe, Christopher is a very happy person, very independent within his home.

Vivecca is cofounder of Touch Base: Center for the Deafblind, a nonprofit organization that benefits deafblind people after they graduate from school. Currently, Touch Base is located in Houston, Texas. It is a small organization with a board consisting of parents of deafblind children, experienced staff from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and other dedicated professionals.  The purpose of Touch Base is to provide deafblind men and women with a day habilitation facility where they can participate in organized, meaningful, and purposeful activities.

Vivecca is also a long standing board member for the Lighthouse for the Blind, having served 10+ years.  The Lighthouse of Houston serves 5,000 individuals annually through health and community programs, independent living centers and assisted living facilities.  Of those they employ, nearly 40% are blind or visually impaired. Employees are trained to work in their service or products division.  Their programs and services provide individuals with the ability to live independently and to reach their full emotional, social and educational potential.

Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DMBD) Medicaid Waiver
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/deaf-blind-multiple-disabilities-dbmd

Deaf-Blind Multihandicapped Association of Texas (DBMAT)   
https://dbmat-tx.org/

Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS)
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/community-living-assistance-support-services-class.

Texas Medicaid Waiver Programs for Children with Disabilities
https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en/insurance-financial-help/texas-medicaid-waiver-programs-for-children-with-disabilities
Phone Number: 1-877-438-5658 

Lighthouse for the Blind
https://www.houstonlighthouse.org/

PPCD
https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en/education-schools/what-is-ppcd

Touch Base Center for the Deafblind
https://www.touchbasecenter.org/about-touch-base

Touch Base: Center for the Deafblind Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/TouchBaseCenter

Connect with Vivecca Hartman
hartmanfam28@sbcglobal.net
1-713- 231-7508

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 26:  In this episode I talk with Rick Deppisch. the first dad to be featured on the podcast who also just happens to be my husband and the father of our 5 children.  Rick shares his perspective on the challenges our family has endured and overcome over the years as we’ve navigated life with Josiah, our 20 year old son who has Down syndrome and non-verbal Autism.

Rick believes faith is what sustained him through the darkest days when Josiah, only 8 years old at the time, spent 10 months living away from home in a residential Behavior Treatment and Training Center.  He advocates the need for community and encourages parents who have a child with a disability to reach out to others to find a group of people to plug into for encouragement, resources and support.

Acknowledging that men handle their emotional responses differently than women and often times struggle to support other men who may be going through difficult times, Rick feels there should be more opportunities for dads to gather to be heard, strengthened and encouraged.

He also believes that if someone has helped you in your struggles, it’s your responsibility to reach back to offer a helping hand to others in need.

Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics
https://www.texaschildrens.org/location/meyer-center-developmental-pediatrics

Dr. Kathryn Ostermaier
https://www.texaschildrens.org/find-a-doctor/kathryn-katy-klish-ostermaier-md

Sleep Safe Bed
https://sleepsafebed.com/products/bed-models/

Connect with Rick
rdeppisch@gmail.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 25:  In this episode I talk with Teresa Trent,  author of  3 different mystery series, whose 29 year old son Andrew has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism.   He’s  also non verbal, has a seizure disorder and from that he’s developed a need for a  Peg tube.   Andrew is a sweetheart, greatly loved and never in a bad mood.

It’s no mystery that accepting your child’s diagnosis can be challenging.  When Andrew was born, it was very difficult for Teresa.  She had a hard time accepting it and did not have the best reaction.  It took her about 2 years to just truly accept it and be at peace with it. Though she loved her precious baby all the way through, something  just didn’t click for her initially.

If that rings true in your case, Teresa encourages you to reset your mind and focus on going day to day, milestone to milestone, living in the present and just enjoying your child.

Teresa started writing at age 49.  She believes you are never too old or too young to begin writing.  Her Pecan Bayou series includes a character with Down syndrome named Danny.

You can find Teresa’s website and all her books at the links below.

Connect with Teresa Trent
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/teresatrentmysterywriter
Twitter:   https://twitter.com/ttrent_cozymys
Blog:   https://teresatrent.blog/     (Books to the Ceiling)
Website:   http://teresatrent.com
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5219581.Teresa_Trent
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/teresatrent_cozymys/
Bookbub:      https://www.bookbub.com/profile/teresa-trent
Teresa’s Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Trent/e/B005O7FIE2/

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