Sunday, July 20, 2025

family dynamics

Episode #78: Parenting Challenges: A Mother’s Story of Finding Her Value

Special needs parenting is hard! You can get lost in the process of helping your child through all the stages of growing up, and many parents lose themselves along the way. Our guest in this episode, Megan Gibson, understands how parenting challenges can cause a special needs parent to feel like they get lost along the way, and she’s made it her mission to help others find the freedom to be themselves.
During this interview, Megan emphasizes the importance of staying true to your values and vision as a parent, even in the face of criticism or uncertainty. Throughout the conversation, Megan discusses her relationships, both past and present, highlighting the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people who share your values and vision. She also touches on the difficulty of the transition when your children become more independent and offers guidance on navigating this challenging stage.
Overall, Megan’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of staying true to your values as a parent. Her story is not just about parenting; it’s about personal growth, transformation, and self-discovery. Megan’s willingness to share her experiences is both heartwarming and enlightening, offering hope and guidance to others on their parenting and self-improvement journeys.

📣 Connect with Megan:
WEBSITE https://freedtobeyou.com/
PODCAST https://freedtobeyou.com/podcast
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/freedtobeyou
FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedtorediscoveryou
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/freedtobeyou

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Music Used:
“LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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Episode #76: Special Needs Sibling Relationships and Disability Awareness

Show Notes:

In this insightful episode, join us as we delve into the complexities of special needs sibling relationships and the challenges of growing up with disabilities. Our guest, Melissa Ortiz, opens up about her personal experiences as a person with a disability and the dynamics she faced with her sister. From childhood memories to adult understanding, Melissa shares candidly about the trials and triumphs that shaped their relationship. She provides valuable advice for parents striving to strike a balance between their non-disabled and disabled children, emphasizing the importance of communication, age-appropriate explanations, and fostering mutual respect. Melissa also discusses her passion for advocacy and her efforts at ABLE Americans, a resource hub aimed at connecting families and providing vital information. Join us for an enlightening conversation that sheds light on the power of support, understanding, and unity within families facing the challenges of disability.

Melissa has been a guest on earlier episodes. To hear her story of growing up with Spina Bifida, check out Episode 72. To learn more about her work with ABLE Americans, be sure to listen to Episode 74.

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Connect with Melissa:

Twitter: @dcbelleonwheels

Instagram: @dcbelleonwheels

Facebook: @melissa.d.ortiz.5

Email: mOrtiz@nationalcenter.org

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:

“LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Read More