5. The Early Days of an Autism Diagnosis: A Mother's Reflection w/ Guest Jen Stegall

Explicit content warning

05/18/18 • 51 min

In this episode, guest Jen Stegall speaks candidly with Mary Susan about the early days surrounding her incredible son, Silas's autism diagnosis. They discuss her son's regression, the lack of sleep, early intervention therapies, AAC devices, and what life is like raising a child with autism as a single mom. Jen is fun, honest, and beautifully reflective. Jen Stegall is in the music industry in Nashville, TN and has had multiple pieces published by The Mighty.

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4. Cheers to Us! A Mother's Day Special Episode

In this episode, Mary Susan reads first-hand narratives submitted by women raising children with special needs regarding the many feelings that often surround Mother's Day.

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6. Daily Life with a Child who is Medically Fragile w/ Guest Stephanie Wolfe

In this episode, Mary Susan McConnell speaks with Stephanie Wolfe about what life is like raising a child who is considered medically fragile. Stephanie’s daughter, Addie, was born at 36 weeks with a chromosomal abnormality, sacroccygeal teratoma, and hydrocephalus. She spent 6 months in the NICU. During this time she had multiple surgeries, including a heart surgery at 8 days old, surgery to remove her teratoma at 2 weeks old, g-button surgery, a tracheotomy, and a bilateral craniotomy for a subdural hematoma. After her craniotomy, Addie also developed epilepsy. After 6 months in the NICU, Addie went home for 6 days, only to return unexpectedly to the hospital where she spent another 4 months in the PICU. Today, Addie has been home for 3 years and is the big sister to a new baby brother. During the interview, Stephanie talks about daily life with Addie- how they do everything from going to Target, to how they get some sleep every night. Stephanie is honest and encouraging. Stephanie can be found at: Blog: thevintagemodernwife.com Facebook: thevintagemodernwife Instagram: MathewsBambina Go Fund Me for Van: www.gofundme.com/vanforaddie