Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Water Prairie Chronicles

Episode #52: Caring for Your Child with Disabilities: How to Plan for the Future

Show Notes:

In this episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles podcast, host Tonya Wollum interviews Amanda Owen, founder of the nonprofit organization Puzzle Pieces. Amanda shares her personal journey of growing up as a sibling to a brother with a rare disability and how it has impacted her life. She talks about the emotional impact of having a sibling with a disability, the challenges and joys that come with it, and the importance of emotional intelligence in processing those feelings.

As a special education teacher, Amanda felt called to do more to support people with disabilities and founded Puzzle Pieces, a nonprofit organization that has been serving the community for almost 11 years. Through her own experiences and the work of Puzzle Pieces, Amanda has become a coach for parents and siblings of individuals with disabilities, helping them navigate the emotional and practical aspects of their situations.

In this candid and heartfelt conversation, Amanda shares her perspective on growing up as a sibling to a brother with a disability and the lessons she has learned along the way. Whether you are a parent, sibling, or friend of someone with a disability, this episode will provide valuable insights and inspiration on how to support and advocate for those with disabilities.

Join us next week for the rest of Tonya’s conversation with Amanda. She talks more about her experiences, the books she’s written to help support children with disabilities and spread awareness and acceptance, and her work with her non-profit, Puzzle Pieces.

Amanda loves to connect! Find her at:

          Website: piecesofme.org

          Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-me/id1547078857

          Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/piecesofmebyamanda

          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piecesofmebyamanda/

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

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

“2 Truths and a Lie” Game:

      Can you guess which statements Amanda shared were her truths and which was her lie? Post your best guess in the comments below. We’ll post the correct answer on Instagram next week so be sure to check and see if you were right.

     1. Her brother was the 11th person in U.S. with his diagnosis.

     2. She is 2 episodes from 100th on podcast.

     3. She loves to cook and try new recipes.

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 #51: The NC State Fair Access ABILITY Day – Inclusion for Special Needs Families

Show Notes:

Join us on a journey to the heart of the North Carolina State Fair where we witnessed something truly special. In this episode of Water Prairie Chronicles, we explore Access ABILITY Day, an event that’s all about creating a sensory-friendly event that provided inclusion for special needs families. Hear from families who took part in the event and learn about the Chill Out Zone, a special area set up to help families with sensory needs find a quiet space to relax and recharge. If you’re passionate about creating a more inclusive world, this episode is for you.

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/

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