By on

In this episode I talk with Brianna TenBrink, an eloquent, wise and compassionate 23 year old big sister to 16 year old Myah and 15 year old Leah, her younger siblings who are on opposite ends of the Autism spectrum.  Brianna shares her perspective on how her experiences as the only neurotypical  child in the family shaped the person she is today.   From a young age Brianna took it upon herself to become the ‘glue’ that helped hold the family together.   Her sisters made her a better person and influenced and directed Brianna’s purpose and passion in life.  Service and Teaching are at the heart of who she is and Brianna has aspirations to make lasting positive changes for all people with disabilities.

  • Brianna is the eldest sibling to two younger sisters with Autism on vastly different sides of the spectrum
  • For the past 13 years, Brianna has been a tireless advocate for individuals, much like her siblings, winning the Sibling Scholarship from Knapps and Roberts law firm, the Rose Award from disAbility Connections, Inc., and Advocate of the Year award from the Arc of the Gulf Coast which granted her the opportunity to speak on the experiences of being a sibling at district-wide conferences.
  • Brianna is a Partner in the Texas Partners in Policymaking Program, a Marketing Advisor & Sensitivity Panelist for Disability Book Week, and the Director of Marketing and Sales for Neural Divergence, LLC.
  • Brianna is the co-founder of Project LEAH (Leaders Ending Abuse and Harm), which is an organization that armors parents, families, and allies of loved ones of students in the Texas Public School System who have endured abuse with educational, legislative advocacy training to foster macro-level change.

This is part one of a 2 part series.  Tune in in January 26th for the second half of this awe-inspiring conversation.

Connect with Brianna:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebriannashley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briashten
Project LEAH Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4127855043987645/

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

By on

In this episode I talk with Laura Tayerle, the very first special needs mom I met many years ago when her daughter Morgan was just 5 years old.   Laura inspired me in so many ways long before my own special needs child was ever born.  She was the mom who modeled how to be a voice for your child,  how to treat them just like anyone else and how to juggle it all with strength and determination.

Laura discusses Morgan’s early years and what life was like for a young mom in a new town navigating the complexities of an unexpected diagnosis.  She walks us through the joys and challenges of raising Morgan, who is now 32 years old, along with her 2 younger sisters and discusses the successful transition Morgan has made in living away from home with a support staff to assist her.

Perinatal Stroke – Child Neurology Foundation:
https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/disorder/perinatal-stroke/

GI Symptoms Linked to Behavioral Problems in Children, Especially Those with Autism
https://health.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/news/headlines/gi-symptoms-linked-to-behavioral-problems-in-children-especially-those-with-autism/2020/08

Autism & GI Problems:  How to Help
https://www.elemy.com/studio/mood-disorders/autism-and-gi-issues/

Bristol Stool Scale
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/poop-chart-bristol-stool-scale

Baby Sense Alarm
https://www.amazon.com/Babysense-Temperature-Infrared-Lullabies-V24R/dp/B083KMZD58/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B083KMZD58&psc=1

Sleep Safe Bed: 
https://sleepsafebed.com/

Sleep Safe Bed GiveAway – One Free Bed is Given Away  Each Quarter:
https://sleepsafebed.com/giveaway/

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

By on

In this episode I talk with Kileen McDonald as she shares her struggles with infertility, her subsequent adoption of a beautiful baby boy with Down syndrome and her greatest joy in being a mom to her now 13 year old son, Ches.  Kileen also discusses the death of her spouse, Pam and talks about lovingly helping Ches process everything during those difficult days.

Kileen believes in educating yourself about your child’s diagnosis but encourages parents to make sure to get your education from the right sources.   NDSS – National Down Syndrome Society and NDSC – National Down Syndrome Congress are two great places to begin if you have a child with Down syndrome.

Connect with NDSS – National Down Syndrome Society
https://www.ndss.org/

Connect with NDSC – National Down Syndrome Congress
https://www.ndsccenter.org/

Connect with GHFEDS ~ Greater Houston Families Exploring Down Syndrome
Website:  http://ghfeds.org/

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

By on

In this episode I talk with Mary Jane Williams, Executive Director of Family to Family Network.   Family to Family Network helps individuals with disabilities and their family members define and achieve success for themselves and their loved ones.

As a mother of 2 young adults with disabilities, Mary Jane discusses first hand the positive impact connecting with other families had made for family.  She encourages parents to learn everything possible about their child’s diagnosis by attending training events offered through school districts and local organizations.   Mary Jane firmly believes it is important for families to see possibilities in their kids with disabilities.

ALL children should be included and supported in our schools and community in order to ensure the future success of children with disabilities.

Connect with Family to Family Network:
https://f2fn.org/

Email Address:
info@familytofamilynetwork.org

Phone Number:
713-466-6304

Texas Partners in Policy Making :
https://txpartners.org/

Partners in Policy Making Online Courses:
https://partnersonlinecourses.com/

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

By on

In this episode I talk with Kim Lindquist about life with Cowboy,  her 23 year old son who has Autism.  Kim shares how her faith helped her through early dark days of behavior challenges, anxiety and discouragement.  She encourages parents to seek help if they begin to notice signs of anxiety or depression.  Kim recommends Biomedical intervention and proposes it can work in conjunction with traditional medicine to bring about positive outcomes.  She believes that taking care of ourselves better equips us to care for others. Kim is a gifted writer, who injects humor into her stories of life with Autism.  Her desire is to help others have joy and most of all hope.

Connect with Kim:
https://www.kimlindquistauthor.com/

Autism Support: autismsocietytxgulfcoast@gmail.com

Connect with a Bible Study for Caregivers:
https://www.sagemontchurch.org/women/#/

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

Medicaid Waivers Website:
http://texasmedicaidwaivers.com

HIPP – Texas Medicaid program that helps families pay for employer-sponsored health insurance premiums:
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/financial/health-insurance-premium-payment-hipp-program

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