The Special Needs Mom Podcast

Kara Ryska

Think of this podcast as your very own special needs mom support group--except it's helpful and fun! You will leave with the hope that you can have a super happy life even when your life includes parenting a medically complex child or a child with something like autism and ADHD.

You likely didn't ask to be the parent of a disabled child or to live portions of your life in the hospital NICU or PICU. Your story is unique; it’s hard to find a place where you belong or where you don't feel so isolated and alone. Your child might have a rare disease, be undiagnosed or experience something that almost everybody has heard of like Downs syndrome yet the weird thing is that whether your child has an intellectual disability or physical disability, the experience as a mother is so similar. So regardless of your child’s disability, we can all find a home in this community.

You find yourself managing everybody else's needs; your child, their siblings, and all the guilt that you have about that. All this has you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and dizzy---not knowing who to turn to or what to do next for help. This podcast is your lifeline, you’ll find encouragement and inspiration as we connect to other moms’ journeys. We’ll get practical and look at what it takes to stop feeling so stuck in your life.

You know this podcast is for you if you find yourself googling:

Overwhelmed special needs mom help

How to do self care as a special needs mom?

Dealing with anger as a special needs mom

How to manage special needs mom burnout and stress?

How do I deal with mom's guilt?

Help for myself as a special needs mom

How do I cope with a disabled child?

How do I manage the grief of my medically complex child?

How to keep from drowning as a caregiver

Support group for special needs mom or community for caregivers

I'm tired of taking care of my special needs child

Finding balance between my child’s needs and my own mamas needs

Respite and rest for special needs moms

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Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness

Episodes

Reduce Your Overwhelm and Stress with Anxiety Bingo
Apr 17 2024
Reduce Your Overwhelm and Stress with Anxiety Bingo
Here we are, talking about anxiety again, because fear and worry are a regular part of our lives as special needs moms. I have to say, I feel like a bit of an imposter, because this is an area I still work on all of the time. On this solo episode, I am going to share a tool that I've created for us, to make managing our anxiety a little less like work and more like a game. Imagine turning your anxiety management into a game where each small practice, like self-talk or an easy stroll, earns you points towards a more settled mind. I'll guide you through 10 of the 24 strategies that can help maintain and restore your personal "health meter". From the simplicity of staying hydrated to the invigorating shock of cold therapy, we cover the spectrum of techniques that can anchor you in the present moment and regulate your physiology. I encourage you to integrate these practices into your daily life, using the bingo card as a fun and tangible way to track your progress and celebrate your wins.Resources from this episode:Download Your Anxiety Bingo Card Here!The Compound Effect by Darren HardyEpisode 189: Bringing Balance Back to the Language of Disability with Effie ParksTrauma Series with Meghann Crane-RussEpisode 187: Understanding Trauma As A Gateway to HealingEpisode 188: Trauma In The Body, In The Mind, & In Our LivesEpisode 189: Trauma Recovery Resources for the Special Needs MomConnect with Meghann Crane-Russ Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/Website: https://www.kararyska.com/Coaching OpportunitiesPathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join
Embracing the Chaos with Purpose and Compassion: Time Management for the Modern Special Needs Mother with Megan Sumrell
Apr 10 2024
Embracing the Chaos with Purpose and Compassion: Time Management for the Modern Special Needs Mother with Megan Sumrell
Are the endless tasks of motherhood, career & relationships leaving you buried under a pile of planners and post-it notes? Megan Sumrell, a life planning expert, CEO & founder of Pink Bee, joins me to talk about productivity and how we need to plan differently in order to live balanced and fulfilled lives. She brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to this conversation from her years teaching others how to optimize their businesses and personal lives. Megan's insights resonate deeply, as a special needs mom herself, offering strategies to navigate the overwhelming demands of our lives without the guilt.This conversation with Megan is an honest reflection on the complexities of modern life, where the digital world begs for our attention. Where crossing things off our list often leaves us feeling anxious and like we are never getting it all done. Here, you'll find practical tools that promise more presence and less pressure, so you can savor the moments that matter most and even find fun for yourself. Megan ends with a poignant reminder that you are more than 'just a mom'—you're a woman of multifaceted identity, deserving of self-care, recognition & support. Mentioned in this episode:Redeeming Heartache Book by Dr. Dan Allender and Cathy Loerzel Asking for Help:Episode 122: A Little Discomfort for a Whole Lot of Help (Asking for Support)Connect with our Guest, Megan Sumrell:Website:  www.megansumrell.comPodcast: www.megansumrell.com/podcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/megansumrellInstagram: www.instagram.com/megansumrell/Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/msumrell/Youtube:  www.youtube.com/c/WorkLifeHarmonyPodcast Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/Website: https://www.kararyska.com/Coaching OpportunitiesPathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join
Trauma in the Body, in the Mind, and in Our Lives with Meghann Crane-Russ | Part 2 of 3
Feb 28 2024
Trauma in the Body, in the Mind, and in Our Lives with Meghann Crane-Russ | Part 2 of 3
As a parent raising a child with special needs, we experience unusual amounts of chronic trauma. Trauma therapist Meghann Crane-Russ, LCSW, PMH-C, is back this week, guiding us through the science and mechanisms behind our primal response to trauma. Strap in as we explore the complex terrain of the human brain, and prepare to gain a deeper understanding of your own responses in the face of fear. We will learn the difference between feelings and thoughts and why we explode into fight or flight or withdraw into freeze or collapse. Learning how our 'downstairs' and 'upstairs' brains interact when faced with said trauma will help us to understand ourselves more deeply, while giving us the hope that we can live a more present and connected life. This episode is packed full of science, with plenty of everyday examples to us understand. For us visual learners, Meghann has provided resources to use while listening to help pull all of the concepts together. >>>Click here to Download the Resources mentioned in the episode!Connect with our Guest, Meghann Crane-Russ:Noticing Growth, websiteInstagram Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/Website: https://www.kararyska.com/Coaching OpportunitiesPathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join
Understanding Trauma as a Gateway to Healing with Meghann Crane-Russ | Part 1 of 3
Feb 21 2024
Understanding Trauma as a Gateway to Healing with Meghann Crane-Russ | Part 1 of 3
Discover the hidden & evident impacts of trauma, and the pathways to healing with Meghann Crane-Russ. Meghann is a therapist who specializes in supporting parents navigating medical complexity, medical trauma, traumatic loss and grief. Prior to private practice, she was an inpatient medical social worker in pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care and also did some work in PEDS palliative care. We unravel together the complexities of "big T" and "little t" trauma and the grief that countless families face. Meghann's profound understanding of the brain and body's response to trauma not only sheds light on the subject but also plants seeds of hope for anyone navigating the road to recovery. Together we explore a message of resilience, affirming that through compassion, understanding and insight, healing from trauma is not just a possibility but a journey well within our reach.>>>Click here to download trauma resourcesResources from this episode: Bessel van de Kolk M.D.The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma Paul ContiTrauma: The Invisible Epidemic: How Trauma Works and How We Can Heal From ItConnect with our Guest, Meghann Crane-Russ:Noticing Growth, websiteInstagram Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/Website: https://www.kararyska.com/Coaching OpportunitiesPathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join
"Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child" with Kelley Coleman
Feb 7 2024
"Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child" with Kelley Coleman
When life hands you a narrative you never expected, where do you find the script to follow? This question lingered in my mind as Kelley Coleman, the insightful author of "Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child," joined me to share her journey and the wisdom she's encapsulated in her guide for fellow parents. We peel back the layers of our personal transformations, discussing the complexities of medical care, education, and the emotional landscape that defines the experience of raising a child with visible disabilities. She shares her path, transitioning from a career in the film industry to narrating the unique story of her child's life, emphasizing their individuality and potential beyond their limitations.As our conversation unfolds, we trace the evolution of a special needs mom across five stages—from the initial shock to rediscovering personal power and peace. It's a transformative journey, filled with moments of self-sacrifice and deep reflection on societal expectations and the importance of retaining one's identity. We share our insights into the rollercoaster of parenting highs and lows, the intense commitment it demands, and the surprising joys that can emerge from this unique life experience. This episode is a candid exploration of the emotional terrain that we navigate as parents, offering a narrative that affirms and inspires.Join us as we navigate the unexpected paths and find camaraderie in shared experiences.Connect with Kelley Coleman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellokelleycolemanFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelley.coleman.56Website: https://www.kelleycoleman.com/ Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/Website: https://www.kararyska.com/Coaching OpportunitiesPathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join
Overcoming the Lead Cloak of Perfectionism and Embracing Support for Special Needs Moms with Kristin Faith Evans
Jan 24 2024
Overcoming the Lead Cloak of Perfectionism and Embracing Support for Special Needs Moms with Kristin Faith Evans
When the weight of perfectionism feels like a lead cloak, it's the raw, honest stories that can lift it off our shoulders. That's exactly what Kristin Faith Evans brings to our table this week, as we navigate the deeply personal terrain of motherhood to children with special needs. Her voice, a blend of vulnerability and strength, breaks through the silence on the mental health crisis among special needs moms, illuminating the tough yet rewarding journey that lies ahead for many.This episode is a tapestry woven with the threads of shared experiences, where the barriers of seeking help are pulled back, revealing a landscape that many special needs moms traverse in solitude. Together with Kristin, we peel back the layers of guilt that often accompany the pursuit of self-care, underscoring its non-negotiable place in our lives. As we discuss the stigmas within conservative Christian communities and the scarcity of resources, the conversation is an open door for every listener who has felt judged or alone in their struggles.Kristin's insights serve as a compass, guiding us through the expectations and self-inflicted pressures that can overshadow the joys of parenting. We celebrate the power of positive self-talk and the gentle art of embracing imperfection. Whether you're a mom knee-deep in therapy schedules or a friend standing by in support, this episode is a sanctuary for reflection, growth, and unwavering support—a reminder that no one should walk this path without a hand to hold.Contact Kristin Faith EvansWebsite: https://disabilityparenting.com/Instagram: @disabilityparenting (https://www.instagram.com/disabilityparenting)Facebook: Kristin.Evans.5895 (https://www.facebook.com/kristin.evans.5895)X: AuthorKristinEv (https://twitter.com/AuthorKristinEv)LinkedIn: Kristin-Evans (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-evans) Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/Website: https://www.kararyska.com/Coaching OpportunitiesPathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join
Shame Chronicles: Surprising Moments When the Unexpected Guest Arrives
Dec 27 2023
Shame Chronicles: Surprising Moments When the Unexpected Guest Arrives
Feeling the holiday rush? Let me pull you aside for a moment of candid reflection; because, let's face it, the festive season can be equal parts enchanting and exhausting. In this heart-to-heart, I bare my soul about the upcoming winter break, sharing the joy and the jittery nerves as my husband and I put a new spin on our Christmas tradition. It's a tale of breaking the cycle of overwhelm by leaning into support and embracing the restorative power of rest—something many of us, especially us hands-on mothers and ardent workers, often resist. Prepare to feel a kinship and maybe even a lightbulb moment as I recount how reaching out for help isn't a sign of weakness but an essential step to enjoying the true spirit of the holidays.As the year draws to a close, I'm buzzing with excitement to reveal a collaborative co-workshop that pairs my coaching insights with the organizational magic of a professional dynamo. This hands-on experience is designed not just to inspire but to ignite real change, and I'm practically giving away seats with a special rate and an early bird discount. If the price tag makes you hesitate, don't let it stand in your way—reach out, and let's make it work for you. And as we approach the finale of this episode, please receive my warmest holiday wishes, whether you're decking the halls or simply unwinding into the new year. Join us for a conversation that's all about honoring your need for downtime and getting a head start on a transformative journey. Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/Website: https://www.kararyska.com/Coaching OpportunitiesPathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join