Advocate Like a Mother Podcast

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Episode 12 - The Dancing Dad, Positive Parenting, and Keeping it Real with Kenny Clutch Feb 03, 2021

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Kenny Clutch joins us on the podcast today to discuss his story as “The Dancing Dad”, thoughts on positive parenting, and he keeps it real sharing with us a bit about his life before his positive reformation and what keeps him inspired.

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We're Back! - Welcome to the Advocate Like a Mother Podcast™ Dec 04, 2020

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After a hiatus the show is back and will official return in 2021. Enjoy this trailer episode where we share about some format changes and our new team members! Also head over to Instagram today for a special giveaway, head over to the website and sign up to be a guest or even be a guest co-host on the show!

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S01 Episode 11 - Season Finale LIVE Show with Ileana Sosa and Kendall Renee Jun 03, 2019

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Hey everyone! Thank you for joining us for our Season Finale LIVE Show with Ileana Sosa and Kendall Renee. We had such an amazing time together at Bella Blooms, sharing our journeys together and meeting many of you face to face. This has been such an incredible first season, and as I mentioned early on in this journey I really never imagined doing a podcast, but felt so deeply called to share my story and journey with you all. It has been so encouraging to see you support the show and own your advocacy. Sign up for the email list on the website for news on season 2 and other updates from us along the way. Again, thank you to so many of you that made this show happen. This season's co-host Ashley and entire The Montano family, my husband Eric and my kids for being so supportive, all of our sponsors; The Glory Days, Speech Blubs, Delivering Fancy, and Functional Formulas. And of course, our producer, editor and engineer, Andy Lara with http://www.andylikeswords.com for making all of the technical things happen. See you all next time! - Michelle Sullivan http://www.advocatelikeamother.org - This week's Sponsor is brought to you by Speech Blubs! SPEECH BLUBS WEBSITE : https://speechblubs.com Download the App Here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/speech-blubs-language-therapy/id1239522573?mt=8

S01 Episode 10 - Changing the Face of Beauty with Katie Driscoll Apr 22, 2019

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Hey Everyone! Today’s episode is all about representation in advertising. We sat down with Katie Driscoll, founder of Changing The Face of Beauty. Katie has 6 kids - she had 5 boys and then her daughter Grace came along. Grace has a magical extra chromosome and Grace is also the inspiration behind Changing The Face of Beauty. Katie shares with us how she stared this amazing organization from the ground up. Katie continues to advocate for change in advertising because 1 out 5 people has a disability, but that number is not represented in ads/media. Let’s help change that! If you see a company including people of all abilities in their ads, will you let them know you notice and that you appreciate it? If you are a talent agency, please hire people of all abilities so everyone is represented.

S01 Episode 9 Pt. 2- Abuse in the Disability Community with Natalie Weaver Apr 08, 2019

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Today’s episode is part two of a series all about abuse in the disability community. On today's episode we sat down with Natalie Weaver. Natalie's daughter Sophia has a facial difference and has endured an unspeakable amount of hate online. Natalie has even received death threats. Natalie shares with us how she used to hide at home with Sophia and what happened in her life that turned her into the advocate she is today. Natalie is a powerhouse advocate and does not back down. She stood up to Twitter along with an army behind her and was able to get them to include disability in their abuse reporting tool, in response to the many hateful and violent comments she has gotten when she posts photos of Sophia. She is now standing up to Instagram. Natalie said that the abuse she and Sophia has received on Instagram is 3x what she has received on Facebook and Twitter combined. And she's only been on Instagram less than a year. When she reported a comment that said "drown her," Instagram responded that the comment doesn't violate community guidelines. Will you stand with Natalie? Let's join her in this fight. Follow her on Instagram @nataliecweaver and tag @instagram along with @zuck and @mosseri and ask them to include disabilities in their abuse reporting tool until they can't ignore us any longer. To any parent who's child has experienced abuse, you are not alone. We are here to help encourage you, and to help find your community. Michelle CONNECT WITH OUR SHOW INSTAGRAM | www.instagram.com/advocatelikeamother TWITTER | www.twitter.com/advocatelikeamom EMAIL | Hello@advocatelikeamother.org PATREON | www.patreon.com/advocatelikeamother

S01 - Episode 8 - Abuse in the Disability Community Pt. 1 with Casey Murphy Mar 18, 2019

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Today’s episode is part one of a two part series all about abuse in the disability community. On today's episode I sat down with Kasey Murphy. Kasey's son Owen was in a SD classroom at Berkeley Heights Elementary in Martinsburg, West Virginia. A secret recording caught eight hours of the teacher and two aides verbally abusing and threatening the 4 kids in the class. Here is a sample of just a few of the things the kids endured: Owen, are you gonna jerk off in the chair? Adriana, gonna vomit on me today, unibrow? I’m gonna beat your butt. Elasia, I don’t know if I trust you- you’re a cannibal- you gonna murder me? As soon as she stops crying, I am going to put her hands right back inside these scissors. I ought to backhand you right in your teeth. You’re not getting anything to eat. I’ll punch you in your face. I’m going to pull your hair until you start crying. Don’t throw it, you animal. You wench. You’re like a Pygmy. I’m gonna knock you out. Kasey shared with us the shocking details of how law enforcement and the school district has completely dropped the ball and let these kids down. Justice has not been served, but we are hopeful that this will go to court and criminal charges will come. Please call Berkley County Prosecutor Katherine Delegate: 304-264-1971 and let her know that you think it's disgusting that she found no criminal wrongdoing. Please let her know that she should press criminal charges against the teacher, aides and all other school personnel who knew of the recording and failed to report the abuse. To any parent who's child has experienced abuse, you are not alone. We are here to help encourage you, and to help find your community. Mini Voice Recorder on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/EVIDA-Compatible-Dictaphone-Recording-Rechargeable/dp/B07F8RVJJK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=small+recording+device&qid=1552681242&s=gateway&sr=8-1 Follow Owen's Army: https://www.facebook.com/Owens-Army-157936894362881/

S01 Episode 7 - Feeding Therapy Pt. 2 with Jamie Keller of Tiny Mouth Feb 25, 2019

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Hey Everyone! Today’s episode is part two of a two part series all about feeding. On today’s episode I sat down with my friend Jamie Keller who is a speech and feeding therapist. Jamie shares with us all of her wisdom about what could be causing feeding issues in kids. We discussed nutrition, sensory issues, the social part of eating, talk tools, and what to look for in a feeding therapist, plus tips and tricks for feeding. CONNECT WITH OUR SHOW http://www.instagram.com/advocatelikeamother http://twitter.com/advocatelikeamom EMAIL | Hello@advocatelikeamother.org PATREON | http://www.patreon.com/advocatelikeamother

S01 Episode 6 - Feeding Therapy with Singer Songwriter Kendall Renee Feb 11, 2019

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Hey Friends! Today’s episode is part one of a two part series all about feeding. On this episode I sat down with recording artist Kendall Renee and her mom Kim Hollinger. Kendall has had a feeding tube since the age of four. We got Kim’s perspective as her mom and we got Kendall’s perspective on growing up with a feeding tube and feeling different. Kendall explains how her feeding tube became a source of strength for her and how it inspired her song “Original” which she performs for us. To any parent struggling with any diagnosis, you are not alone. We are here to help encourage you, and to help find your community. Watch her performance of "Original" on the podcast here: https://youtu.be/ScpdSi0eG6Y Michelle CONNECT WITH OUR SHOW INSTAGRAM | www.instagram.com/advocatelikeamother TWITTER | www.twitter.com/advocatelikeamom EMAIL | Hello@advocatelikeamother.org PATREON | www.patreon.com/advocatelikeamother

S01 Episode 5 - Diagnosis with Jen Jacob of DSDN Jan 21, 2019

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Welcome friends, On today’s episode of Advocate like a Mother Podcast™ we talk all about diagnosis. Michelle and I got together to chat with Jen Jacob, author, co-founder, and executive director of Down syndrome diagnosis network the DSDN. Jen graciously shared her diagnosis story with us today. You know when the doctor looks at your different? Or when they say the words “these are difficult ultrasounds to go over.”? You immediately go into that outer-body experience. When your child gets a diagnosis it totally changes your life, as Jen told us. Jen’s nonprofit, Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network, launched in 2014. Their biggest effort is to inform, connect, and support new families. Pregnancy - 3 years or age are their main focus right now. They also have small private birth club groups where you can connect and find others. “They also provide resources for doctors. Local organizations and medical professionals have so much power so when we all work together, magic happens.” Here are some quotes from parents the DSDN website: “A doctor had said Your son has a long life to look forward to. The only limitations they will have are the ones you set for him so make sure not to set any.” “It’s your job to love her and enjoy the ride.” “They only thing they won’t be able to do is scuba dive.” (from a Cardiologist.) And the best one, “I can’t tell you what they won’t be able to do I can’t do that with any baby.” That is a quote from a doctor with the right mindset for parents making a huge difference. When you get that diagnosis and your in a daze or feeling hopeless. This episode is all for you. To any parent struggling with a child that has any diagnosis, you are not alone. We are here to help encourage you, and to help find your community. Michelle & Ashley CONNECT WITH OUR SHOW INSTAGRAM | www.instagram.com/advocatelikeamother TWITTER | www.twitter.com/advocatelikeamom EMAIL | Hello@advocatelikeamother.org PATREON | www.patreon.com/advocatelikeamother

S01 Episode 4 - Inclusive Playgrounds with Rebecca Kuntz Jan 07, 2019

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Welcome friends. On today’s episode of Advocate like a Mother Podcast, Michelle and I get together to chat with Rebecca Kuntz. Rebecca has a daughter named Ellie who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and microcephaly. We talked all about inclusive playgrounds. An inclusive playground is a playground accessible to wheel chairs, canes, walkers, sensory challenges, deafness and blindness. Parks in the U.S. are typically non-inclusive, meaning children with disabilities don’t have all of the special accommodations needed in order to be as safe as possible. When creating play environments that allow all children and their families to play, in addition to ensuring access, we must ensure inclusion. Kids need to play together, regardless of their abilities. Accessibility is not enough. Simply getting a child with limited mobility onto the playground doesn’t necessarily enhance their play experience. Nor does it take into consideration children with sensory deficits and other developmental issues.The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) made play areas and parks accessible to all children, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re built so that kids with different types of disabilities can play equally. New federal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act are changing the landscape for public playgrounds, requiring them to include equipment, materials, and designs that provide children with disabilities the same play opportunities as typical children. Parents and advocates are making the real difference — not the federal government. To have statistics you need researchers to be viewing the information, but there’s no funding for them. That and nobody is researching it so we have no statistics - This is a HUGE issue right here. If you don’t have a universally-designed playground in your community, there are a number of steps you can take to get the plan in action: Speak with local chapters of disability organizations about sponsorship and funding, such as the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Easter Seals, and United Way. Reach out to the parks and recreation department in your area and inquire if there’s a way for citizens to help raise funds for an inclusive playground. Get the local media interested, which can help spread awareness Talk to officials at your city’s town hall (be sure to be prepared to educate them as much as possible about the benefits of an inclusive playground). Speak with school officials, particularly if there are large numbers of children with special needs. Start a fundraiser (Note: Having funds will help you in your missions, but it often takes a lot of time and can be taxing. Getting non-profit support will make things a bit easier). To any parent struggling with inclusion , you are not alone. We are here to help encourage you, and to help find your community. Michelle & Ashley CONNECT WITH OUR SHOW INSTAGRAM | www.instagram.com/advocatelikeamother TWITTER | www.twitter.com/advocatelikeamom EMAIL | Hello@advocatelikeamother.org

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