There are moments in parenting a child with medical complexity that I don’t think the human body was designed to experience repeatedly. This week was another one. Gabi’s oxygen saturation dropped into the 30s and stayed dangerously low while we tried to stabilize her. Around us, the medical team prepared for possibilities no parent ever […]
There is a strange thing that happens when you have been parenting a medically complex child for a long time. You get good at it. Really good at it. And sometimes “good at it” doesn’t begin to describe the depth of knowledge families develop. Over the years, our knowledge of Gabi’s respiratory care has grown to overlap […]
You won’t find it in the discharge instructions or hear it during rounds, but it’s one of the most powerful truths in medicine: Your presence—your emotions, your nervous system, your energy—shapes your child’s ability to heal. Not just metaphorically. Biologically. Every day, science is catching up to what parents of medically complex children have long […]
In today’s medical system, parents and professionals share the same goal: the best possible outcome for the child. Yet the journey to that outcome can feel worlds apart, depending on whose shoes you’re standing in. Parents often describe moments when their intuition—clear, persistent, and rooted in deep connection—was questioned. I hear this story again and […]
How trauma-informed, family-centered care transforms outcomes for children and their families. When a child receives a diagnosis—whether neurodiversity, disability, or complex health needs—it is not only the child who is impacted, but the entire family. Parents suddenly find themselves navigating uncharted territory: appointments, interventions, decisions, and the emotional weight of an uncertain future. In these […]
Over the past few months, I’ve found myself returning again and again to one truth: healing begins with how we see and show up for one another. When a child receives a diagnosis, or when a loved one is facing a health crisis, the immediate reaction is often fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of decline, fear of what […]
As parents, we often have dreams and expectations for our children—visions of their first steps, their first words, and the milestones that we eagerly anticipate. But for some of us, those dreams take an unexpected turn, and life’s challenges reshape what it means to be a parent. This is the story of Lillian, a mother […]
In a world that often places immense value on communication through speech, we sometimes overlook the profound depth that can exist in silence. In my recent conversation with Susan Baker, author of A Life Beyond Words, I was reminded of the immense beauty, wisdom, and transformation that can come from embracing life’s challenges and tuning […]
Stories have an incredible ability to connect us and help us make sense of the world. For children—especially those who are neurodiverse or face complex health challenges—stories can serve as a safe space where emotions are explored, healing begins, and deeper connections are formed. In a recent conversation with Andrew Newman, the author and founder […]
In the fast-paced world of parenting, where chaos, unpredictability, and emotional overwhelm often dominate, we may lose sight of the essential inner space that holds the key to navigating these challenges with peace and power. This inner space, or inner sanctuary, is a deeply personal, safe, and nourishing place that empowers us to stay grounded […]