What if every milestone your child was supposed to reach came with countless curve balls? For Alexis Kaplan, motherhood quickly turned into a journey of advocacy, strength, and unwavering love as she navigated her daughter Gabby’s complex and rare health conditions....
Episode 148 | Katy’s Story – A daughter with scars and a story
Podcast Show Notes
Katy shares about her daughter Charlotte and how her surgeries that left scars inspired her to write a book about seeing scars in a positive way. Finding out about her daughter’s diagnosis at 32 weeks on a Thursday morning and then welcoming Charlotte that Friday evening, talk about a whirlwind! Katy shares so many truths that will resonate with parents and how Charlotte has changed her life forever.
[5:00] Katy introduces herself
[6:23] Deciding what to share and not share
[8:44] Finding your tribe and shared experiences
[10:32] The diagnosis was a complete surprise
[11:59] Abnormalities on the ultrasound on a Thursday morning
[12:46] Being admitted to the hospital at 32 weeks pregnant
[13:31] Emergency C-section on Friday evening
[15:51] Getting cliff notes for diagnosis and drew photos to explain
[17:02] That numbing feeling of receiving a diagnosis
[18:23] Thinking of her husband and how it unfolded for him
[21:25] Wedding rings gone missing
[24:36] Placing value on people rather than things
[26:14] Meeting Charlotte for the first time
[30:55] Becoming close with the staff
[34:44] Importance of a support system
[37:50] Finding an expert who knew her diagnosis
[39:42] Balancing time between home and schools
[41:45] Milestones hit a little differently
[46:43] Inspiration to write a book
Connect with Katy
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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.
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Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.
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