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ETB 30:  In this episode, I talk with former guests Jean and Brianna TenBrink, a dynamic mother/daughter duo about Project LEAH (Leaders Ending Abuse & Harm) a community coalition against educator abuse and mistreatment of children with disabilities in Texas public schools.

Jean,  mother of 3 daughters, 2 of whom are on different ends of the autistic spectrum is an advocacy coordinator who helps build bridges between home and school for families that have a child with a disability.  She talks about the abuse her youngest daughter Leah was subject to in her self-contained classroom by teachers Jean knew well and trusted.  The abuse was misrepresented and school officials lied about the mistreatment.  It wasn’t until Jean watched video footage of the abuse herself, that she was made fully aware of all that her daughter endured at the hands of those they believed had Leah’s best interest at heart.

Brianna, Jean’s oldest daughter is the Director of Marketing and Sales for Neural Divergence, LLC.  As a Partner in the Texas Partners and Policymaking Program and a very recent MBA graduate, Brianna has been a tireless advocate for individuals with disabilities for the past 13 years, winning the Sibling Scholarship from Knapps and Roberts law firm, the Rose Award from disAbility Connections, Inc., and Advocate of the Year award from the Arc of the Gulf Coast which granted her the opportunity to speak on the experiences of being a sibling at district-wide conferences.

Together Jean and Brianna have co-founded 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 restraint, assault or seclusion with educational, legislative advocacy training to foster macro-level change.

Project LEAH is affiliated with The Arc of Texas, Disability Rights Texas, Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint, and Texas Partners in Policymaking

Project LEAH TX
https://linktr.ee/projectleahtx

End #restraint #assault & #seclusion

Project LEAH Private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4127855043987645/

Arc of Texas
https://www.thearcoftexas.org/

Disability Rights Texas
https://www.disabilityrightstx.org/en/home/

Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint
https://endseclusion.org/

Texas Partners in Policymaking
https://txpartners.org/

Connect with Brianna:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebriannashley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briashten

Connect with Jean:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superautismmom/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jean.tenbrink

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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ETB 26:  In this episode I talk with Rick Deppisch. the first dad to be featured on the podcast who also just happens to be my husband and the father of our 5 children.  Rick shares his perspective on the challenges our family has endured and overcome over the years as we’ve navigated life with Josiah, our 20 year old son who has Down syndrome and non-verbal Autism.

Rick believes faith is what sustained him through the darkest days when Josiah, only 8 years old at the time, spent 10 months living away from home in a residential Behavior Treatment and Training Center.  He advocates the need for community and encourages parents who have a child with a disability to reach out to others to find a group of people to plug into for encouragement, resources and support.

Acknowledging that men handle their emotional responses differently than women and often times struggle to support other men who may be going through difficult times, Rick feels there should be more opportunities for dads to gather to be heard, strengthened and encouraged.

He also believes that if someone has helped you in your struggles, it’s your responsibility to reach back to offer a helping hand to others in need.

Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics
https://www.texaschildrens.org/location/meyer-center-developmental-pediatrics

Dr. Kathryn Ostermaier
https://www.texaschildrens.org/find-a-doctor/kathryn-katy-klish-ostermaier-md

Sleep Safe Bed
https://sleepsafebed.com/products/bed-models/

Connect with Rick
rdeppisch@gmail.com

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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ETB 25:  In this episode I talk with Teresa Trent,  author of  3 different mystery series, whose 29 year old son Andrew has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism.   He’s  also non verbal, has a seizure disorder and from that he’s developed a need for a  Peg tube.   Andrew is a sweetheart, greatly loved and never in a bad mood.

It’s no mystery that accepting your child’s diagnosis can be challenging.  When Andrew was born, it was very difficult for Teresa.  She had a hard time accepting it and did not have the best reaction.  It took her about 2 years to just truly accept it and be at peace with it. Though she loved her precious baby all the way through, something  just didn’t click for her initially.

If that rings true in your case, Teresa encourages you to reset your mind and focus on going day to day, milestone to milestone, living in the present and just enjoying your child.

Teresa started writing at age 49.  She believes you are never too old or too young to begin writing.  Her Pecan Bayou series includes a character with Down syndrome named Danny.

You can find Teresa’s website and all her books at the links below.

Connect with Teresa Trent
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/teresatrentmysterywriter
Twitter:   https://twitter.com/ttrent_cozymys
Blog:   https://teresatrent.blog/     (Books to the Ceiling)
Website:   http://teresatrent.com
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5219581.Teresa_Trent
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/teresatrent_cozymys/
Bookbub:      https://www.bookbub.com/profile/teresa-trent
Teresa’s Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Trent/e/B005O7FIE2/

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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EBT 23:  In this 2nd half of a 2 part episode I continue to talk with Cynthia Rodriguez, amazing mom, grandma, and special needs advocate who loves to reach out and help others.  If you have a child with a disability and happen to  cross Cynthia’s path somewhere out in the world,  more than likely she will strike up a conversation to check in with you to see how things are going.  She’ll offer suggestions and resources and may even accompany you to the right agency to get you the help you may need.   That’s just who she is.

Yet, 24 years ago when her son Victor was born with Down syndrome, Cynthia didn’t even want to hold him for the first few days.   Life took an abrupt turn at that point and it took Cynthia a little while to accept all the changes.  From initial reluctancy to totally embracing her new journey, Cynthia is a source of love and laughter, drawing others in with her joy and making a positive difference for so many.

In addition, Cynthia does Court monitoring visits for people who have guardianships to make sure they are being treated properly and have everything they need.

If you haven’t heard the first half of Cynthia’s interview,  be sure to listen to it in its entirety.  You won’t want to miss any of her inspiring perspective.

GHFEDS
http://ghfeds.org/

HCS – Home and Community Based Services
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/home-community-based-services-hcs

Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/financial/health-insurance-premium-payment-hipp-program

Side by Side Parent Support Team: League City
https://www.facebook.com/groups/155613631266509

STAP – Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP)
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/deaf-hard-hearing/stap-services

Swallowing and Speech Services
https://www.swallowingandspeechservices.com/

Texas Medicaid Waivers
https://texasmedicaidwaivers.com/

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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EBT 22:  In this episode I talk with Cynthia Rodriguez, amazing mom, grandma, and special needs advocate who loves to reach out and help others.  If you have a child with a disability and happen to  cross Cynthia’s path somewhere out in the world,  more than likely she will strike up a conversation to check in with you to see how things are going.  She’ll offer suggestions and resources and may even accompany you to the right agency to get you the help you may need.   That’s just who she is.

Yet, 24 years ago when her son Victor was born with Down syndrome, Cynthia didn’t even want to hold him for the first few days.   Life took an abrupt turn at that point and it took Cynthia a little while to accept all the changes.  From initial reluctancy to totally embracing her new journey, Cynthia is a source of love and laughter, drawing others in with her joy and making a positive difference for so many.

In addition, Cynthia does Court monitoring visits for people who have guardianships to make sure they are being treated properly and have everything they need.

GHFEDS
http://ghfeds.org/

HCS – Home and Community Based Services
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/home-community-based-services-hcs

Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/financial/health-insurance-premium-payment-hipp-program

Side by Side Parent Support Team: League City
https://www.facebook.com/groups/155613631266509

STAP – Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP)
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/deaf-hard-hearing/stap-services

Swallowing and Speech Services
https://www.swallowingandspeechservices.com/

Texas Medicaid Waivers
https://texasmedicaidwaivers.com/

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