Forever Home for our kids with disabilities.
Formerly Special Needs Moms - Circle of Strength.
This podcast has begun a shift in focus...
Hey, I’m Valerie, mom to two with disabilities (one visible, one invisible). We came up with housing solutions for our children.
This space has been created to help you navigate the journey of creating a secure, sustainable forever home for your child.
We’ll chat with parents on this path, realtors, financial planners, and other experts who can make the process easier. We'll be dropping an episode twice a month.
Seeing my eldest thrive living independent of us was a gift I didn’t always know I could give. I'm excited for you to have the opportunity to explore giving that gift to your child.
Keep building your child’s future!
Music acknowledgement: Audio Coffee - Denys Kyshchuk
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 29 minutes
- Episodes
- 76
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Transforming Devastation with Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a special needs parenting speaker and coach who works to prevent special needs parents from feeling isolated and overwhelmed to the point where they lose…
Come and learn what KIND families are with Kari A. Baker
Episode Summary:
Valerie is joined by Kari A. Baker, a dedicated advocate for families raising neurodivergent children. Kari is former financial services executive and business owner tur…
Your host Valerie asks "Emotional waves - do you experience them?"
This episode is packed with practical tools like the 4-7-8 breathing technique, ‘affect labeling,’ and self-compassion practices—all designed to help listeners respond thoughtfully to l…
Interview with Jenifer Breaux on Family Travel with children with disabilities
In this episode, Valerie interviews travel expert and special needs mom, Jenifer Breaux, who shares her insights on creating memorable, inclusive family travel experiences for children …
Beyond pampering with Annie Joy Carter.
Annie Joy Carter is a certified life coach with a psychology degree. She has worked for many years in the mental health field and is a single momma of 2 children. Her oldest child has A…
Ramona Kossowan helps us recognize trauma as a mom parenting a child with disabilities - it's not what you think!!
Ramona Kossowan discusses how parents can release trauma, regulate their nervous systems, and embrace their own worth beyond caregiving. Ramona walks us through her intuitive, strategic…
Finding Joy in the Midst of Adversity with Jessica Fein
Jessica Fein is a mom to three adopted children from Guatemala and is a relentless warrior in the memory of her daughter who she lost to a rare disease in 2022. Jessica is a working mot…
Your host Valerie shares about building a deeper connection with her teen while commuting!
Welcome & Thank You:
A heartfelt thank you to all our dedicated listeners!
Episode Highlights:
Your host Valerie shares a personal story about returning to the office after working from h…
Breaking the Cycle of Guilt and Finding Strength with Natalie Karras
Meet Natalie Karras, who is a passionate advocate for children on the spectrum and their families. With 24 years of experience across industries like travel, recruitment, and marketing,…
Empowering Moms to Build Digital Products and Embrace Their Own Dreams with Carolyn Gardner
Carolyn Gardner is a solo mom by choice through adoption. She's been parenting her amazing son with chronic medical issues for ten years. Five years ago she left her teaching career to …
Embracing Resilience & Mindful Presence as a Special Needs Mom with Jenn Fredericks
Episode Summary:
Jenn Fredericks, a Pro-sillience Coach and Personal Resilience Practitioner shares her deeply personal journey as a special needs mom. Jenn talks about navigating the ch…
Never thought we would have our daughter live independent of us - It is possible!!!
Your host Valerie, shares an exciting announcement about an upcoming seminar that’s tailored just for parents of children with disabilities. If you're looking for actionable steps and h…
Advocating for Your Child: Empowering Families to Create Their Own "Normal" with Wendy Andersen
In this episode, I chat with Wendy Andersen, a passionate advocate for special needs families. Wendy, a mother of three, shares her journey that began with her son's rare diagnosis at s…
Busting Myths About Making Time for Your Goals as a Special Needs Mom, with your host Valerie
Introduction: Hi there, and welcome to today's episode. We are looking at busting some myths about making time for your goals as a special needs mom. Let's get to it!
Episode Overview: A…
One option for living arrangements for your child with disabilities with Dr. Lisa Campbell
Dr. Lisa Campbell is the author of Grow With Me, a book in which she shares her journey of resilience and perseverance, and introduces her daughter Jasmine in chapter 3. Dr. Campbell in…
What a lovely surprise!!! My guest Cheryll Wagner and I unknowingly reunite after 19 years on a Zoom interview as Cheryll shares about raising independent children.
Title: Strategies for Raising Independent Children
Episode Description:
In this episode, Valerie sits down with Cheryll, a dedicated mother of two sons with Joubert syndrome. They dive de…
Creating a future with intention (I just love quotes... I have 5 for you!)
Creating a Future with Intention
Episode Summary: Welcome to today’s episode where we delve into the power of quotes and personal stories. Your host Valerie shares five impactful quotes,…
Shelley Guess shares from a sibling perspective about disability in the family.
Show Notes:
Shelley Guess is a Licensed Professional Counselor and PhD-Candidate in Las Colinas, TX. She has been working as a therapist for over a decade, and is the owner and founder o…
Emotions and mom guilt with Dr. Yameika Head
Episode Title: Emotions and mom guilt with Dr. Yameika Head
Episode Number: 38
Episode Summary: This week’s special guest, Dr. Yameika Head shares her special needs journey with her deaf…
Having an invisible disability and raising a child with a disability, plus bonus neurodivergent kids - Meet Rebecca Vitsmun
Rebecca Vitsmun is an autistic author living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and Congenital Stationary Night Blindness. (CSNB from a mutation at my SLC24a1).
In 2015 Rebe…