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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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In this 2nd half of a 2 part episode I continue to talk with Sandra Weber, special needs preschool teacher and mother of 8.  Though life has come at her full force, Sandra’s outlook in the midst of numerous difficult circumstances is truly remarkable.  She faces challenges with a positive perspective and staunch determination; enduring overwhelming hardship.  She is most definitely a pillar of strength for her family and an inspiration to others.

Sandra discusses the unique situations her family has faced, including the birth of triplets born at 32 weeks; 2 of whom have Down syndrome, while a 7 year old sibling was battling brain cancer and their 20 month old sibling passed away from an accidental drowning.

If you haven’t heard the first half of Sandra’s interview,  be sure to listen to it in its entirety.  You won’t want to miss any of this incredible conversation.

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

Connect with Special Olympics:
https://www.specialolympics.org/

Teslong Digital Otoscope:
https://www.amazon.com/Otoscope-Teslong-Microscope-Inspection-Adjustable/dp/B07PHLG4C2/ref=sr_1_3?crid=273P8VKK659J&keywords=teslong+digital+otoscope+with+ear+wax+remover&qid=1644004963&sprefix=teslong+digit%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-3

Connect with Sandra:
sandraw1121@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/sandradw

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 Sandra Weber, special needs preschool teacher and mother with 8 children of her own.  Though life has come at her full force, Sandra’s outlook in the midst of numerous difficult circumstances is truly remarkable.  She faces challenges with a positive perspective and staunch determination; enduring overwhelming hardship.  She is most definitely a pillar of strength for her family and an inspiration to others.

Sandra discusses the unique situations her family has faced, including the birth of triplets born at 32 weeks; 2 of whom have Down syndrome, while a 7 year old sibling was battling brain cancer.   This is part 1 of a 2 part episode.

Tune in next week for the second half of the story.

Ronald McDonald House:
https://www.rmhc.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 Jacquelyn Stephanou about her 20 year old son Will who has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism.  Will’s diagnosis brought challenges, especially regarding communication.   By constantly reading, researching and connecting with others, Jacquelyn learned about Spelling to Communicate, a technique that teaches individuals with Autism & Apraxia the purposeful motor skills needed to communicate by spelling.   Students are taught to point accurately to letters on a letter board to spell out words and eventually create sentences.   For the first time in many years Will is now able to express his thoughts and feelings and even share his dreams for the future!  Jacquelyn believes in presuming competence and continually pushing boundaries to raise the bar.  The potential is there.  You just have to figure out how to tap into it to give your child every opportunity for success.

Books:
Prizant, Barry: Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism. NY: Simon and Schuster, 2016
https://www.amazon.com/Uniquely-Human-Different-Seeing-Autism/dp/1476776245

Podcasts:
Uniquely Human, Barry Prizant and Dave Finch, cohosts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uniquely-human-the-podcast/id1532460901
https://uniquelyhuman.com/

The Heumann Perspective, with Judy Heumann
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-heumann-perspective/id1558688277

Movies:
Crip Camp
https://youtu.be/OFS8SpwioZ4

Spelling2Communicate:
International Association for Spelling to Communicate (I-asc).
The best place to learn about the basics of S2C and to find practitioners around the globe.
Spelling to Communicate | S2C | I-ASC
https://i-asc.org/

Rapid Promoting Method/HALO
https://www.halo-soma.org/what-is-rpm

Communication Choice as a Human Right:
Communication First
https://communicationfirst.orghttps://i-asc.org

Books By and About Spellers:
Handley, JB, Handley, J. Underestimated: An Autism Miracle, 2020.
https://www.amazon.com/Underestimated-Autism-Miracle-Childrens-Defense/dp/1510766367

Tino, Gregory. The Autistic Mind Finally Speaks: Letterboard Thoughts, 2020.
https://www.amazon.com/Autistic-Mind-Finally-Speaks-Letterboard/dp/B08LJN18BY

Pena EV, Editor. Leaders Around Me: Autobiographies of Autistics Who Type, Point, & Spell to Communicate, 2019.
https://www.amazon.com/Leaders-Around-Autobiographies-Autistics-Communicate/dp/1791505953

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 Heather Burdeaux, case manager and multi-talented, super busy mom of 3 about navigating life with 2 children who have special needs.  Her oldest, Arabella has Down syndrome and her youngest, Darin, has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism.  A  few years ago Darin’s behavior began to suddenly shift.  Heather took courageous steps to help her son through a very difficult period.  She believes in expectation management which ensures every family member is able to fully enjoy vacations and holiday gatherings as defined by each person’s individual needs.  She also encourages making time for your own friendships.  And, as an entrepreneur herself, Heather already has some great ideas about what the future might hold for Bella and Darin.

Connect with Heather:
Blog about raising her kids: http://shantijoy.wordpress.com
Medicaid Resources Website:  http://texasmedicaidwaivers.com

Connect with Arabella:
Arabella’s Wonderful Life YouTube Channel:  http://tinyurl.com/arabella911
Arabella’s Wonderful Life Shop: http://tinyurl.com/arabella911shop

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/