In this conversation, Beth shares her journey as a parent of a special needs daughter, Hannah, who is nonverbal and has various disabilities.

She discusses the challenges and dynamics of family life, the transition from being a teacher to exploring energy work, and the importance of self-care and emotional health for parents.

Beth emphasizes the significance of intuition, acceptance, and finding hope in the journey of parenting a child with special needs. She also reflects on her personal growth and the lessons learned through her experiences with Hannah.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Special Needs Parenting and Career Evolution

02:44The Journey from Teaching to Energy Work

05:27Navigating Emotions and Intuition

08:03Understanding Energy and Vibrations

11:04The Importance of Emotional Release

13:51Connecting with Higher Self and Spirit Guides

16:27Manifesting Positive Outcomes

19:36The Role of Beliefs in Shaping Reality

22:14Writing as a Healing Process

24:54Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

34:24Releasing Emotions: The Journey Within

37:30The Importance of Self-Care and Reflection

39:52Navigating Single Parenthood: A Personal Journey

43:08Embracing Non-Traditional Roles in Parenting

46:57Finding Balance: Masculine and Feminine Energies

49:58The Power of Laughter and Emotional Release

52:57Hope and Acceptance in Special Needs Parenting

56:24Grieving Expectations: The Journey of Acceptance

01:04:32The Hats We Wear: Navigating Multiple Roles

01:07:05Supporting Growth: The Role of a ParentAbout the podcast guestBeth Iaciofano is the mom of a non-verbal daughter with learning disabilities who is 25. With a career that evolved from lab technician to science teacher following her child's diagnosis, Beth is now a certified energetic alignment and mindset coach and intuitive medium.

As a life coach, she supports individuals in transforming their lives by identifying and releasing limiting beliefs, patterns, and old programming that no longer serve them. She also helps them understand how to align the energetic vibration of their thoughts, words, and emotions to manifest their desires.

As a medium, she connects clients with their loved ones who have passed, as well as their spirit guides, delivering messages that offer guidance, comfort, and a deeper sense of connection.Connect with Beth, and find the link to her podcast, The Hats We Wear, on her website at https://www.riseuptotransform.com/

About the podcast host

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoonis a speaker, coach, andspecial needs parent, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Marcia (and many resources to support your special needs parenting journey) on Facebook at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the Special Needs Parent Space (a free community for parents like us) at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode features a conversation with Danielle, a single parent of a child with special needs. They explore the unique challenges faced by single parents in the special needs community, including feelings of isolation, the importance of advocacy, and the emotional and financial strains that come with raising a child with varying needs.

Danielle shares her journey of acceptance, the role of faith in her life, and the significance of community support. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding balance while navigating the complexities of special needs parenting.

Chapters

00:00The Journey of a Single Special Needs Parent

03:32Navigating Diagnosis and Initial Reactions

06:44Adapting Life to New Realities

09:27The Financial Strain of Special Needs Parenting

12:42Finding Community and Support

15:30The Role of Faith in Parenting

18:19Coping with Challenges and Emotional Struggles

21:27Understanding the Impact of Special Needs on Family Dynamics

24:13Finding Purpose and Perspective in the Journey

26:24The Value of Life and Love

27:21Hope and Resilience in Parenting

29:15Dreams and Expectations of Education

31:22Redefining Worth and Value

34:21The Reality of Healing and Acceptance

37:34Self-Care for Special Needs Parents

38:44Learning to Say No

42:15Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

45:06Building Community and Support

48:23Creating Inclusive SpacesAbout the podcast guest Danielle Ross is a certified life coach that wears many hats, from entrepreneur to being a Christian single mom to her daughter that has special needs. She understands firsthand the ups and downs of raising a child with special needs.

Danielle has a passion to love on and encourage others by sharing her faith, experiences, and by turning her pain into a purpose. She is the founder of Hope’s Legacy Grief Support, a virtual life coaching business that helps people to process grief during the most difficult seasons in their lives.

Danielle enjoys helping and supporting people on their journey of healing, especially during times of loss. She wants to help people feel less alone and remind people of God's love for them and provision after painful and life changing events.

Reach out to Danielle at movforwardcs@gmail.com

About the podcast host

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoonis a speaker, coach, andspecial needs parent, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Marcia (and many resources to support your special needs parenting journey) on Facebook at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the Special Needs Parent Space (a free community for parents like us) at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this heartfelt conversation, Amanda Sullivan shares her journey as a mother of a special needs child, discussing the challenges and triumphs of parenting, the importance of writing for healing, and the impact on family dynamics and relationships. The discussion emphasizes the need for community support, acceptance of reality, and the significance of self-care for parents navigating the complexities of raising a child with special needs.

Takeaways

• Every parent has a unique story to share.
• Writing can be a powerful tool for healing.
• Mourning the loss of expectations is essential.
• Finding joy in small moments is crucial.
• Self-care is not selfish; it's necessary.
• Siblings of special needs children need attention too.
• Marriage can be strained but love remains.
• Community support is vital for special needs parents.
• It's okay to feel overwhelmed and seek help.
• You are not alone in your journey.

• Navigating the Journey of Special Needs Parenting
• The Healing Journey Through Writing

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Amanda's Journey

09:11The Emotional Journey of Special Needs Parenting

16:15Life with Andrew: A Glimpse into His World

24:01Impact on Siblings: The Family Dynamic

24:48Navigating Family Dynamics During Crisis

32:03The Impact of Special Needs on Marriage

39:55Finding Community and Support

44:41Nurturing Relationships Amidst Challenges Amanda Sullivan has been a wife for 24 years, mom for 21 years and caretaker for 18 years! She says, "Our family has been through a lot as our youngest has significant medical needs. Despite the roller coaster we love, laugh and forgive each other on the daily!"

Amanda's favourite episode on the podcast she runs is called "The Date Night Dilemma", about finding time for a date as a special needs parent. Listen to it here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dKowUIFDaBO27aMkzoGqP?si=1J_Ugup2Q-qCVQ_CoF3Lpg

About the podcast host

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a speaker, coach, and special needs parent, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Marcia on Facebook at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the Special Needs Parent Space (a free community for parents like us) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠