RAWR The Podcast

Grab a coffee or a wine and enjoy this chat between friends - it's a goodie!   This episode really does have a bit of everything, including Jorden's fight for a diagnosis from the very beginning for her handsome boy Lincoln, sibling comparisons, diving deep down the medical/disability rabbit hole (if you know, you know), finding a community who get it, and her passion for raising awareness and connecting with others in this space. Jorden is so down to earth and so damn relatable! We know you'll love her as much as we do! Mentioned in this episode: - Jorden's Instagram: @lincolns.journey - Second Scout Routine Helpers - Hayley – Alee Disability Support Services - FreeArm - Tubie Fun

We had a very special guest join us for this episode – our friend Lizzy, AKA @mumof2pinks, who is super vulnerable in sharing her experience of being a full-time carer to her daughter Georgia. Lizzy breaks down the walls – and the stigma – and shares some hard (but oh so relatable) truths about losing her identity, the constant fight in all areas of her life, and her struggle every day to wake up and do it all over again. There’s no bullshit here, it’s honest and raw, and we are so thankful for her vulnerability (but don’t worry, there’s still plenty of giggles!) This episode is sponsored by Rudie Nudie: Waterproof playmats and picnic rugs for families that love fun! Mentioned in this episode: - Melanie Dimmitt @the_special_book

We're back!! Welcome to what we’re calling Season Two, cos it makes it sound like we totally planned the 6 week break and have this all under control! But seriously, we are feeling FRESH and ready to keep fighting the good fight alongside our community of RAWR-ers. This week’s chat is just that – a RAWR Real Talk catch up between friends about everything that’s been happening over the past few weeks, including Riley’s upcoming PEG surgery, Jack’s chronic cough and how it’s absolutely OK to cut back on therapies. Thankyou for being here, please help us get back up the charts and into people’s ears by rating, reviewing, subscribing, and sharing us far and wide. This episode is sponsored by Ultimate Patch : Natural health patches packed with ingredients known to assist with moods, sleep, stress, anxiety, fatigue, balance and libido! Amy & Grecian x Mentioned in this episode: - Ronald McDonald House Charities - Go Fund Me: Grow Baby Gracie  - Squiqz - Alee Disability Support Services - Melanie Dimmitt, author Special & The Blend - Colleen Hoover (Books)

Emma's BAAACK! RAWR's original co-host Emma came back for a 'no bullshit' check-in and to once again break the stigma surrounding some very important and poignant topics. We laughed, we cried and we didn't hold back talking about the anxiety and trauma of high-risk pregnancy after loss, as well as the lack of control and heartache we feel when things don't go the way we hoped. Emma talks about her struggles with societal expectations of pregnancy and birth and what that should look like, and how heartache and gratefulness can co-exist. Her words are powerful and need to be heard far and wide. What a woman.  This episode is sponsored by Zoono: the next level germ protection you've been waiting for. Zoono currently have a 40% off summer stock clearance sale!  Mentioned in this episode: Blog: The anxious reality of a high-risk pregnancy

This was SO much fun! In honour of the recent Feeding Tube Awareness Week (FTAW 2023), we wanted to squash the myths and misconceptions of tube feeding, and who else do you turn to other than the queens in this space?! We sat down with Melanie Dimmitt, author of The Blend, and Sarah Thomas, founder of Wholesome Blends, to share some of our own personal experiences and stories as mama's of children with a feeding tube, and let us just say it’s so freaking refreshing to be surrounded by people who can laugh at the same ‘not so average’ mama stuff that you don’t read about in the baby books! If you don’t have or know a tubie, I highly encourage you to listen through this and learn something new – it is likely that your own child will go to school with a child with a feeding tube or a disability and we think it’s so important that us as parents teach them about and celebrate differences. And if you are the parent of a tubie yourself, grab a wine and enjoy this chat between friends – this is going to fill your cup for the week!  Mentioned in this episode: Wholesome Blends 'The Blend' Magazine Special Book Too Peas in a Podcast Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation

Happy Feeding Tube Awareness Week! In honour of FTAW, we invited the incredible powerhouse Sarah from Wholesome Blends onto the pod. Sarah is such a good time, she found a gap in the market as a consumer - she wanted and needed a product for her own tube fed child and couldn’t find – so she created it! We will let the expert herself tell you all about it during the episode, but in a nutshell, Wholesome Blends is real food for tubies. We chat with Sarah about her journey to tube feeding her son Lewis, to creating her successful enterprise, and her tips and tricks on starting out with blends. Sarah is back later this week for a BONUS episode to help us debunk some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding tube feeding – what a week it's going to be!! Enjoy! This episode is sponsored by Wholesome Blends: Australasia’s first REAL food option for enteral feeding. Each shelf-stable pouch of Wholesome Blends is high in calories and contains nothing but fresh fruits, vegetables and proteins. No nasties, added sugars or preservatives. Mentions Wholesome Blends FTAW - Feedingtubeaware.com.au IDDSI organisation Ausee Inc Melanie Dimmitt – Special The Blend HECSA Tubie Fun Vitamix and BlendTec Blenders - Both available from Wholesome Blends

Just because it's too cute not to share with the world!! Enjoy a bite-sized chat and some giggles with our little darlings Riley & Jack (with some Hanna & James mixed in!) We think they're pretty special!

We sat down with our eldest darlings, Adelyn and James, and asked them about the ups and downs of life as big siblings and how they feel about Riley and Jack's disabilities and medical needs. Basically a whole bunch of cuteness that the world needs to hear! Enjoy!  And you heard our little legends - please leave us a review, give us 5 stars, and share us with your friends! Mentioned in this episode: Rosalyn & Rae Alee Disability Support Services

Introducing a VERY special guest to RAWR The Podcast, Tori Meskin aka Nurse Tori! Tori is an absolute powerhouse, she is a registered nurse with 10 years experience specialising in neonatal and paediatric intensive care, as well as a blogger, content creator, keynote speaker AND podcaster. She is a natural born leader and a positive and inspiring role model who is passionate about presenting a fun and relatable side of the healthcare world full of education, health, wellness and motivational topics. Amy sat down with Tori (unfortunately Grecian was in hospital at the time with Riley) to gain an insight into NICU life from a nurse’s perspective, including the highs and lows of being a NICU nurse, her tips for both nurses and families who experience NICU, the realities of caring for the tiniest of babies and their families, and we also asker her your listener questions! This episode is sponsored by Smoo Mini Smoothie Cups : helping parents navigate fussy eating, encouraging healthier habits using a positive and playful approach. Don’t forget to enter our GIVEAWAY with Smoo over on Instagram on either (or all) of these pages: @smoo.com.au | @rawr.thepodcast | @growing_our_tribe | @miraclemumma Mentioned in this episode: Tori’s Instagram: @nurse.tori_ Tori’s Website: Tips from Tori Tori’s Podcast: The Cellfie Show Podcast March of Dimes Perfectly Preemie Miracle Mumma Every Tiny Thing

This week we talk about advocating and fighting for your child (we've all been there), the many different factors that come into play, and how it's not always as simple and easy as it seems. Alongside our own experiences, we break down the six main 'negative' themes identified in the blog titled 'The how to advocate for your child one' by Penny from Sick Happens that parents have encountered when in hospital with their sick child.  Disclaimer: the purpose of this episode is not to 'bag out' healthcare professionals or systems, but to give families a voice and shine a light on some of the ways that we struggle to advocate and feel heard when our child is unwell.  Mentioned in this episode: - Sick Happens  https://www.sickhappens.com.au/blog/the-how-to-advocate-for-your-child-one - Hospital Paediatrics 2020 Study

We invited Hayley from Alee Disability Support Services onto the pod to discuss all things NDIS - plan reviews, gaining access, therapist reports, providing evidence, support coordination, ‘parental responsibility’, and so much more! We also answer some of the most frequent listener questions in this space and provide recommendations for support. This episode is extremely informative. We hope it will help many of you who are navigating the NDIS and feeling overwhelmed AF.  Mentioned in this episode: - Alee Disability Support Services Email: hayley@aleedisability.com - NDIS Gaining Access - NDIS Know-how Podcast - The Special Book by Melanie Dimmitt - Twenty One Gifts - Grecian's Reco: Germanica 7.7L Airfryer - Amy's Reco: Koala Mattress & Bed Base - Amy's Reco: Firefly Lane on Netflix

A sneaky bonus ep to catch us all up to date....basically sit in our Friday night therapy sesh where we chat through Grecian's Christmas in hospital with Riley. Nothing fancy, just the RAWR truths of being a medical mama.  Happy New Year x

It's been a little hectic, so we've dropped another Life Update on Jack and Riley...from Jack's recent psychologist appointment to Riley's ENT surgery and extended hospital stay. We discuss the usual bits - sleep, poop, and emotions - as well as the heart-wrenching juggle of hospital and home life, and a brief sneak peek into NDIS leading into the next episode. We share your Mum Brain Moments and also introduce our new segment: 'RAWR Recommendations'. It's jam-packed, and we hope you love it!  Mentioned in this episode: - Subo The Food Bottle - Ikea Battery Milk Frother - Kmart USB Blender - Tubie Fun Reusable Pouches - 'The Poo in You' Educational Video - 'Everyone Poops' by Taro Gomi Read Aloud - 'Toilet Time' Adelaide OT - 'The Feeling Series' Books by Trace Moroney - Alee Disability Support Services - Kidzshack (Cubby) - Nurse Tori (Instagram: @nurse.tori_)

We're back! It’s been a hot minute, so we’ve kept it very simple this week and just talked shit (at times literally) for the whole ep. Just your typical A & G life update, including: - The very real ups and downs of our recent family getaways – holidaying is just parenting in another place, right? - Riley update – ENT surgery and a well-deserved equipment grant! - Jack update – Therapies, progress, and sleep…should we bunk the boys together? ...with so many inappropriate laughs in between - I mean, is it even a RAWR Real Talk episode if we don’t talk about bodily fluids and orifices?! Enjoy, we’ve missed you! Mentioned in this episode: - Spotify Wrapped - Running for Premature Babies - Variety Charities - Lively Eaters

This week we chat with Elle, a mama of 2 boys up in the sky and 1 boy here on earth, with another little guy on the way via surrogate. Ellie’s story is another difficult one, but is also filled with hope, acceptance and gratitude. We discuss the loss of Elle's boys Taj & Lenny at 20 and 21 weeks of pregnancy, her battle with unexplained infertility followed by multiple unsuccessful IVF attempts and an endometriosis diagnosis, a NICU journey with 25-weeker Sonny, and her current experience with surrogacy – Elle is currently filled to the brim with love as she awaits the arrival of her next little boy with her amazingly kind-hearted surrogate Sarah. Elle tackles her challenges with such grace and transparency, and opens up about how she’s learnt to surrender and trust the universe, as well as the inward work she’s done to accept her journey, to find peace and hope and to welcome the path she was given.   We think she's an absolutely remarkable woman and we know you will too! Mentioned in this episode:  - Elle's Instagram: @elle__turner - Elle's Blog: Hey Little Miracle

In Part 2 of this ‘Real Talk’ episode we give a life update before jumping into how and why we downplay our OWN shit to protect ourselves and others. We then get vulnerable by exposing some of the darker complexities of medical anxiety, including the ways we worry when our child improves medically. We then have a LOL (with you, not at you!) as we share some of your very best medical mama fails.  We hope you love it RAWR-ers! Mentioned in this episode: - Australian Podcast Awards - The Rare Life (Episode #64 - ‘Improvement-triggered grief’)

In Part 1 of this ‘Real Talk’ episode we talk about toxic positivity, also known as bright-siding, also known as the opposite of what we need as parents of children with medical and special needs! This topic comes up every single week, so we think it deserves its very own episode. We break down how toxic positivity is displayed, how it downplays and invalidates the emotions of others, the damage it can cause, and how we can manage or escape it.  We have a good chuckle in this one, we hope you do too!  Mentioned in this episode: - New Moon Support Services - Life Uncut Podcast (Ep 29:Gas Lit City Baby)

Sophie is a hero in our eyes - and it's no surprise she has been publicly recognised as one. Her story and what she's created in response to her grief has already touched so many. In this episode, Sophie opens up about tragically losing her triplet sons and how she and her husband Ash founded the Australian registered charity Running for Premature Babies in their memory. She later went on to have two more sons before losing Ash to an aggressive form of brain cancer. Sophie has turned tragedy into hope and finds beauty in the smallest moments.  Today, Running for Premature Babies has raised $5 million for life saving neonatal equipment and research to give premature babies a better chance of survival and better quality of life. In memory of Sophie’s late husband Ash, and their babies Henry, Jasper and Evan. This episode is sponsored by Marsupi Australia: the most comfortable and easy to use baby carrier you will ever own. Mentioned in this episode: - Premmie Marathon Challenge - register HERE! *Don't forget to join the Miracle Mumma team during registration, or donate to our team HERE! - Book: 'Sophie's Boys' - Running Bare - charity sponsor - Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick - Lachy Wiggle @lachy_wiggle - Parents Who Have Been There

We’re so excited to welcome Krysten @the_therapist_parent to the podcast! Krysten is a highly-skilled and knowledgeable child psychologist with over 20 years experience working with children and families. We really made the most of her knowledge and covered so much, including… - Medical trauma - Can we be too lenient? - Sensory differences - Regulating emotions in both ourselves and our children - Why she doesn’t support rewards and punishment - Toileting e.g. poo - Autism - Supporting siblings …and she also answered a number of your specific listener questions! Krysten focuses on gentle parenting but she also recognises that it’s bloody tough and it’s completely normal and ok to not have it together all the time. Every single minute of the episode is full of incredible tools, strategies and advice for real-life and relatable parenting situations specific to our community, and we just wish every parent on the planet could hear it! We feel so honoured and privileged to bring this episode to you! This episode is sponsored by Peach & Pip, an Australian based, family operated, online toy store with one goal in mind: providing high-quality non toxic and sustainable toys for every little Pip. Mentioned in this episode: @the_therapist_parent The Therapist Parent Book - ‘The Dream Director’ by Krysten Taprell

In this week’s episode Amy & Grecian go back to the beginning and talk about how to best help and support a friend who has a baby in NICU, as well as what not to do/say and the best gifts you can give – we’re not lying when we say the best gift is ‘doing’ without being asked! We recall the memorable things that people did to support us personally, as well as some harder parts of the experience that we wish others could better understand. We hope it provides some insight and is shared far and wide for those who are currently in the depths of NICU life. Today’s episode is sponsored by Miracle Mumma: an online store and community supporting families of premature and/or unwell babies by providing hope, comfort and a sense of belonging. Mentioned in this episode Miracle Mumma Blog Post Aug 2016: “How to help your friend who has a baby in NICU”Miracle Mumma“Your Little Head Start” by Nick & Hannah StenmarkABC News Article Sept 2022: “Program encourages parents to read to their newborns in neonatal intensive care”Running for Premature Babies – Premmie Marathon Challenge Miracle Mumma Team