Embrace the Blessing
Welcome to the Embrace the Blessing podcast—a source of encouragement and inspiration for parents of children with special needs. Join teacher and seasoned mother of five, Sandy Deppisch, whose youngest is a young adult with Down syndrome, Autism and ADHD as she delves into the joys, challenges, and triumphs of this journey. Each week Sandy chats with moms and dads who truly understand. If you need empowerment and encouragement to keep going, this show is for you. Let's walk the road less traveled together!
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 35 minutes
- Episodes
- 59
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2023
ETB 18: From Teen Mom to Dedicated Special Education Teacher; Embracing a Calling to Make a Difference for Others with Ashley Bennett ~ Part 2
In this 2nd half of a 2 part episode I continue to talk with Ashley Bennett, boy mom of 3 and amazing Special Education teacher. Her oldest son, Ashton was born when Ashley was just 19 years old. …
ETB 17: From Teen Mom to Dedicated Special Education Teacher; Embracing a Calling to Make a Difference for Others with Ashley Bennett ~ Part 1
In this episode I talk with Ashley Bennett, boy mom of 3 and amazing Special Education teacher. Her oldest son, Ashton was born when Ashley was just 19 years old. He was diagnosed with Autism at …
ETB 16: Staying Strong When Life Gets Hard with Sandra Weber ~ Part 2
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 n…
ETB 15: Staying Strong When Life Gets Hard with Sandra Weber ~ Part 1
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 dif…
ETB 14: Rocking the Big Sister Role with Brianna TenBrink ~ Part 2
In this 2nd half of a 2 part episode I continue to talk with Brianna TenBrink, an eloquent, wise and compassionate 23 year old big sister to 16 year old Myah and 15 year old Leah, her younger sibling…
ETB 13: Rocking the Big Sister Role with Brianna TenBrink ~ Part 1
In this episode I talk with Brianna TenBrink, an eloquent, wise and compassionate 23 year old big sister to 16 year old Myah and 15 year old Leah, her younger siblings who are on opposite ends of the…
ETB 12: Perinatal Stroke, Infantile Spasms & Subsequent Autism Diagnosis with Laura Tayerle
In this episode I talk with Laura Tayerle, the very first special needs mom I met many years ago when her daughter Morgan was just 5 years old. Laura inspired me in so many ways long before my own …
ETB 11: Navigating the Complexity of Special Needs Divorce with Mary Ann Hughes
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, uns…
ETB 10: Infertility, Adoption & the Joy of Being a Mom with Kileen McDonald
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…
ETB 9: Creating Communities Where ALL Children Belong and Excel with Mary Jane Williams
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 achi…
ETB 8: Overcoming Anxiety, Embracing Faith & Biomedical Interventions with Kim Lindquist
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…
ETB 7: Persevering Through Adversity & Advocating for Systemic Change with Jeanna TenBrink
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…
ETB 6: Embracing a Dual Diagnosis, Presuming Competence & Spelling to Communicate with Jacquelyn Stephanou
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 communi…
ETB 5: Learning to Be Strong & Enjoying the Ride with Andrea Leger
In this episode I talk with an amazing mom, Andrea Leger. whose second child, Andrew was born 7 weeks premature. An hour after birth, she learned Andrew had Down syndrome and was given a very blea…
ETB 4: Paying Attention to Behavior Changes, Expectation Management & Maintaining Friendships with Heather Burdeaux
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 syndrom…
ETB 3: Being Positive & Embracing Hopes and Dreams with Jennifer Anderson
In this episode I talk with Jennifer Anderson. I promise not all of my guests are named Jennifer. If they were, I'd have to change the name to the Jennifer Show. That would just be silly. Howev…
ETB 2: Having High Expectations & Giving Every Opportunity for New Adventures with Jennifer Vincent
In this episode I talk with Jennifer Vincent, part time nurse and busy, full time mother of 3, who shares about her youngest daughter, Alexandra. Born with Down syndrome and a heart defect, Alex…
ETB 1: Meet the Mom Behind the Microphone
In 2017, my kids bought me a microphone for Mother's Day. It's taken 4 years to muster up the courage, but I finally took it out of the box!
Welcome to the Embrace the Blessing Podcast
Sandy Deppisch is a teacher, wife and seasoned mother of five whose youngest is a 19 year old with Down syndrome, Autism and ADHD. This podcast is about connecting you with other parents who walk …