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In this episode I talk with Mary Ann Hughes, mother of 2 young adults with Autism  as she shares her special needs divorce story.   Mary Ann went from being completely blindsided and overwhelmed, unsure of what next steps were needed, to assembling a support team  of professionals who helped her successfully navigate a lengthly 2 year divorce process which culminated in a trial.

Some have estimated the divorce rate among families with children with autism or other disabilities to be as high as 70-80%.

Mary Ann used the wisdom she gained through her own experience in addition to ongoing work in the field to make a difference for others.  She created a company, Special Family Transitions, to guide special needs families through divorce with the best possible outcome and as little stress, time, and expense as possible.

Connect with Mary Ann:
Email address: Maryann@specialfamilytransitions.com

Website: https://www.specialfamilytransitions.com/

Special Family Transitions YouTube channel (would love for people to subscribe )
https://youtube.com/channel/UChI4BaUMGf50O2yPE_YnjFA

Special Family Transitions Facebook Page:
https://m.facebook.com/specialfamilytransitions

Private Facebook group:
Divorce Journey Support for Moms of Children with Autism & Special Needs:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/309739357366936/

Special Family Transitions on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/specialfamilytransitions/

For Information on LoneStar LEND, or  to apply for the program:
https://med.uth.edu/pediatrics/neurology/pediatric-neurology-fellowship-programs/lonestar-lend-fellowship/

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

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In this episode I talk with Kileen McDonald as she shares her struggles with infertility, her subsequent adoption of a beautiful baby boy with Down syndrome and her greatest joy in being a mom to her now 13 year old son, Ches.  Kileen also discusses the death of her spouse, Pam and talks about lovingly helping Ches process everything during those difficult days.

Kileen believes in educating yourself about your child’s diagnosis but encourages parents to make sure to get your education from the right sources.   NDSS – National Down Syndrome Society and NDSC – National Down Syndrome Congress are two great places to begin if you have a child with Down syndrome.

Connect with NDSS – National Down Syndrome Society
https://www.ndss.org/

Connect with NDSC – National Down Syndrome Congress
https://www.ndsccenter.org/

Connect with GHFEDS ~ Greater Houston Families Exploring Down Syndrome
Website:  http://ghfeds.org/

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

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In this episode I talk with Mary Jane Williams, Executive Director of Family to Family Network.   Family to Family Network helps individuals with disabilities and their family members define and achieve success for themselves and their loved ones.

As a mother of 2 young adults with disabilities, Mary Jane discusses first hand the positive impact connecting with other families had made for family.  She encourages parents to learn everything possible about their child’s diagnosis by attending training events offered through school districts and local organizations.   Mary Jane firmly believes it is important for families to see possibilities in their kids with disabilities.

ALL children should be included and supported in our schools and community in order to ensure the future success of children with disabilities.

Connect with Family to Family Network:
https://f2fn.org/

Email Address:
info@familytofamilynetwork.org

Phone Number:
713-466-6304

Texas Partners in Policy Making :
https://txpartners.org/

Partners in Policy Making Online Courses:
https://partnersonlinecourses.com/

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/https://uniquelyhuman.com/

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In this episode I talk with Kim Lindquist about life with Cowboy,  her 23 year old son who has Autism.  Kim shares how her faith helped her through early dark days of behavior challenges, anxiety and discouragement.  She encourages parents to seek help if they begin to notice signs of anxiety or depression.  Kim recommends Biomedical intervention and proposes it can work in conjunction with traditional medicine to bring about positive outcomes.  She believes that taking care of ourselves better equips us to care for others. Kim is a gifted writer, who injects humor into her stories of life with Autism.  Her desire is to help others have joy and most of all hope.

Connect with Kim:
https://www.kimlindquistauthor.com/

Autism Support: autismsocietytxgulfcoast@gmail.com

Connect with a Bible Study for Caregivers:
https://www.sagemontchurch.org/women/#/

Connect with Imagine Enterprises:
https://www.imagine-enterprises.org/

Medicaid Waivers Website:
http://texasmedicaidwaivers.com

HIPP – Texas Medicaid program that helps families pay for employer-sponsored health insurance premiums:
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/financial/health-insurance-premium-payment-hipp-program

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

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In this episode I talk with Jeanna TenBrink about the joys and challenges that go along with having  2 of her 3 daughters on the Autism spectrum.  Initially overwhelmed because she had no idea how to help them,  Jeanna didn’t stay in that space for long.  After diving in to learn everything possible about autism and after reaching out to connect with a group of caring moms on a similar journey, Jeanna became an amazing advocate not only for her own family but for many other families as well.

As an advocacy coordinator, she helps build bridges between home and school.  So it came as a devastating blow to learn one of her own daughters was being horribly mistreated in the classroom.  Jeanna shares her heart-wrenching story to remind parents of the importance of trusting your gut when you begin to sense something isn’t right.  If you start seeing red flags, start asking questions.

Today, Jeanna’s family is using that distressing experience as a springboard towards making positive changes at the legislative level.   They are looking for parents who want to share their stories, collaborate and advocate for systemic change in policies.

Connect with Project LEAH (Leaders Ending Abuse & Harm): an organization that armors parents, families, and allies of loved ones of students in the Texas Public School System who have endured abuse with educational, legislative advocacy training to foster macro-level change

Contact email:
projectleahtx@gmail.com

Connect with Chara Dance Academy:
https://www.charadance.com/

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/https://uniquelyhuman.com/