April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. We have reposted this episode to bring awareness and give you tangible tools to speak with your kids about child abuse. Today’s guest expert is Jane Donovan, who is a child abuse prevention advocate. "And like we say in...
Episode 131 | Paola’s Story – A son with ADA-SCID
Podcast Show Notes
Paola shares the shocking diagnosis her son received as a newborn of ADA-SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency.) This powerful story a he shares how she navigated hospital life during the beginning of the pandemic and her journey with postpartum depression. She shares words of wisdom on how to deal with the feelings that come when your child gets a life altering diagnosis.
[5:22] Paola describes the grief she experienced with Jakob’s diagnosis
[7:10] She describes the shock and acceptance of the news that Jakob has ADA-SCID
[9:12] Postpartum depression struggles during isolation
[11:10] Sharing the importance of opening up about your struggles
[13:44] Being a first time Mom and medical mom
[15:03] Paola describes how she fights the good fight
[17:44] Her cervical cancer diagnosis after Jakob’s diagnosis
[19:29] Paola’s campaign to fight for Jakob’s treatment
[20:21]She describes how her cancer diagnosis was her moment to pause
[26:50] Coming up with a plan and leaning on community helped Paola cope with the diagnosis
[30:12] She shares how Child Life specialists have helped reduced the trauma Jakob has had to endure
[31:28] Jakob has taught Paola to be brave and to have courage
[32:20] Paola has created an environment that helps Jakob have some normal day to day activities despite being isolation
[33:45] She shares how her motherhood journey was so different than what she anticipated, she feels fierce and does not take no for an answer
Connect with Paola:
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Parents, download our free parent starter kit.
When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
- Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
- Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
- Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing.
Child life specialists,get affordable PDUs on-demand here.
Shop for your CLOC gear here.
Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.
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