The SEND Mum Club launches on 21st March. Make sure you're following so the episodes automatically download

Welcome to The SEND Mum Club podcast! In this first episode I talk about my journey after finding out my son Leo has Down syndrome. I reflect on the feelings I had waiting for the test results to come back, the moment we received his diagnosis and the path I’ve been on since. 

I’m very honest about the wide ranging emotions I had (and still have sometimes) as I want this podcast to be a safe space for my future guests to open up about all aspects of raising a child with additional needs while also celebrating the absolute joy our children bring us, and the whole new world they’ve opened our eyes to.

 This episode is supported by Positive About Down Syndrome, you can find out more about this amazing charity here www.downsyndromeuk.co.uk

Tags: down syndrome, additional needs, diagnosis, trisomy 21, extra chromosome

In this episode, Polly shares her journey parenting 5 year old twins Fox & Lili Rose who have a genetic condition so rare that no one else in the world has it. We talk about their long stay in the NICU, finding support from others on a similar journey and how important that is, and the resilience her situation has given her.

We discuss learning to stay in the present and the beauty of finding joy in small moments. Polly is really open and honest in this emotional chat, and mentions the book Unique by Melanie Dimmitt and the charity Unique that both really helped her. Links for both are here:

www.rarechromo.org

https://amzn.eu/d/iJvByTW

Tags: motherhood, NICU, twins, IVF, parenting, emotional journey, genetic condition, special needs, ableism

In this episode Sam Young shares her journey as a mother to 5 year old Nina who has autism. Sam discusses the challenges and joys of parenting a child on the spectrum, the importance of community support, and the role of social media in connecting with other parents. She reflects on the diagnosis process, the need for better resources, and the emotional complexities of planning for the future. Sam emphasizes the significance of advocacy and education, both for her daughter and for raising awareness in society.

You can find Sam on Instagram @samninawolf

 Tags: autism, parenting, special needs, diagnosis, advocacy, speech & language therapy

In this episode I’m joined by Jodie Morgan, who shares her journey as a mother of two boys, Layton and Brooklyn, both with very different diagnoses. Layton has cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that affects his lungs and pancreas, while Brooklyn has autism. Jodie discusses the emotional impact of their diagnoses, the routines they manage, and clever ways they’ve found to keep Layton motivated with his daily physio. Jodie talks about her decision to have another child, considering the implications of CF, and how she approaches parenting with a positive attitude to understanding and supporting her children's unique needs.

 Tags: Cystic Fibrosis, CF, Autism, Parenting, Fitness, Health Management, Cystic Fibrosis, Stroke

This week I’m joined by Jemma and Lisa, aka the SEND Mummies, sharing their experiences as parents of children with additional needs while running a business helping other families. They talk about their personal journeys, the challenges they face, and the importance of community support. We discuss the difficulties of navigating the SEND landscape, including the difficulties with DLA and EHCP processes, and the emotional weight of advocating for their children. Jemma & Lisa talk about their coping mechanisms for overwhelming days, the grief that can accompany the journey, and how far into the future each of them are happy to think. 

 You can find The SEND Mummies on Instagram & TikTok @SENDMummies or online at www.sendmummies.co.uk

 Tags: autism, DLA, EHCP, neurodiversity, awareness, disability benefits, pica, echolalia, global development delay

Amy Blackburn is my first guest talking about Down syndrome so this is a special one for me. In this episode Amy shares her journey of parenting her 6 year old son Remy. She discusses the emotional impact of receiving the diagnosis, the challenges of navigating day to day life, and what happened when her older children were told about Remy’s diagnosis by someone else without her consent. Our conversation delves into the realities of managing safety, education, and Amy’s worries for Remy as he gets older. We talk about Amy’s experiences with social media, good and bad, and why it’s so important to raise awareness.

 Tags: Down syndrome, parenting, danger awareness, DLA, SEND

In this episode Claire shares her emotional journey navigating the complexities of her son Jake's cardiac issues, including a heart transplant, and the effects that had on her, and her daughter Daisy. She talks about how she coped with nearly losing Jake multiple times, and how a diagnosis of autism brought a whole new set of challenges.

Claire also discusses her charitable work with Team 1C, which raises funds for children in need of heart surgeries, and supports families with children in critical care. You can find them on Instagram @weareteam1c and at www.team1c.org

Some of what Claire has been through is quite traumatic so please bear this in mind when listening, particularly if you have a child with cardiac issues.

The 2 North West based organisations Claire mentions that helped her and Jake are:

Rebounders - @rebounderstherapycentre on Instagram

The Neurodiverse Family Support Network (formerly Autism in Motion)
www.neurodiversefamilysupport.org.uk

Tags: genetic cardiac condition, heart transplant, autism, SEND, SEN, parenting

This week’s guest is Charlotte Hunt who you might know from Instagram/TikTok as @twins_tides_and_autism_vibes. We talk about life with her sons Jude & Tommy who both have severe autism and how things have changed since Jude was born 17 years ago. Charlotte’s really honest about the breakdown of her marriage and how it felt navigating dating again as a SEND mum. We discuss introducing the boys to a new partner, going on to have (neurotypical) twin girls and how impactful their brothers’ autism has been on their family. We also talk about navigating friendships after having children with additional needs, and what you can do if you’re having struggles in that area.

Tags: neurodiversity, autism, special needs, dating, divorce

In this episode, I’m joined by Ebony Gilbert talking about her journey as mum to George, who is blind, has autism and also brain damage from a stroke at birth. We talk about the struggle of true acceptance and what you have to let go of to get there, the joy of finding your own path that works for you and your family, and the challenges of communication without being able to use visual aids. Ebony also shares some great tools to help regulate yourself when things get tough, and the life-changing impact of dietary changes on George’s autism.

Tags: blindness, autism, stroke, brain damage, communication, special needs, diet, neurodiversity

Kim Lucock is my guest this week, sharing the journey of her daughter Jessica, who has faced chronic bowel problems since birth. We talk about Jessica having stoma surgery and the impact it’s had on her life, and the complexities of navigating the education system with a child who has additional health needs. Kim talks about Jessica’s medical anxiety, the realities of living with a chronic condition, and small changes that can be made to public disabled toilets that can make a huge difference to people living with stomas.

 Kim and Jessica are great advocates for stoma awareness and you can find them on socials here:

Facebook – Jessica’s Stoma Journey
Instagram - @jessicasstomajourney
X - @journeystoma

 Tags: bowel problems, stoma, parenting, chronic constipation, autisam, ADHD, special needs, stoma care, body image, medical anxiety

In this episode I’m joined by Shona Larrigan, talking about her 8 month old baby Harry, who has Prader-Willi syndrome. We discuss the emotional impact of receiving a diagnosis, the importance of therapy and support, and the need to live in the present. Shona shares her experiences with public perception and the conversations surrounding Harry's condition, and her hope for the future with potential advances in medication. We also talk about  trying to get the balance right between personal well-being and the desire to raise awareness, especially in the early days of your journey.

This episode is released in Prader-Willi Awareness Month and if you need support with a diagnosis here are some helpful links including the one Shona mentions:

 Prader-Willi Association Ireland https://pwsai.ie/

Prader-Willi Association UK https://www.pwsa.co.uk/

 Tags: Prader-Willi syndrome, new diagnosis, additional needs, new parent