Rockin the Difference

In this heartfelt episode of Rocking the Difference, I sit down with an incredible mom Becky,  and her two adult daughters, Hannah and Nicole,  to honor the life and legacy of Breanna—their daughter and sister who had multiple disabilities, including blindness and mobility challenges, and who passed away three years ago. Together, we explore the deep love, joy, and challenges they experienced as a special needs family, and how Brea...

Today we’re talking about something so many special needs parents struggle with—helping our kids learn to advocate for themselves.

I’ve personally been dealing with this forever with my son, who is now 21-year-old, who is blind and autistic. He has a hard time voicing his needs—whether it’s letting me know if he’s hungry or not feeling well, asking for help, or even just problem-solving in everyday situations.

Today, I want to shar...

On today’s episode of Rocking the Difference, I am honored to welcome an incredible guest whose story is one of resilience, transformation, and the power of self-belief. Amanda Casarella grew up facing challenges that many of us can relate to—struggling with a learning disability, battling debilitating migraines that kept her out of school, and navigating the stigma of being placed in special education. On top of that, she endured ...

After the busyness of the holidays, I wanted to get back in touch with you all and talk about intention, creating community and upcoming changes and challenges this year. 

Here is a quick episode to get reconnected!

Some great Podcasts to check out:  The Special Needs Mom Podcast - Episode: Stabilizing After Winter Break and  Moms Talk Autism Podcast

You can find me on Instagram @Rockin_the_Difference Email: rockinthedifference@gma...

Today I talk with my friend, Nada, on the sacrifices we make as parents of special needs individuals.  

We all make sacrifices to ensure our kids are getting the best of what we can give them.  With Nada, this meant moving countries with her kids, while her husband stayed.   It meant giving up what she was familiar with to make sure her son lived a full life and adjusting to a new family dynamic with her kids and long distance marr...

In today's episode I talk with Erin and Bruce Wilson who founded If I Need Help.  

They started this non profit which provides a system to help find special needs kids, as well as individuals suffering from dementia or Alzheimers,  that go missing, especially for those who can’t communicate.  It uses modern technologies to help reunite those who might become lost, disoriented or need assistance in a critical moment.  

They share w...

In this episode I talk about my son, Ryan, reaching a milestone and moving towards that next phase from being in the school years bubble  into adulthood and how that unpredictability and foreverness hit me hard. 

If you have comments or ideas you'd like to share on this topic, I'd love to hear them and possibly expand on them in future episodes.

You can DM on Instragram: /rockin_the_difference or email me at rockingthedifference@gm...

Aubrie Forte has been a special person in our lives for almost 17 years now. She has been a teacher in special education and now works directly with schools to support programs on campus, with students, teachers and families. She was Ryan's teacher throughout elementary school and is lovingly known as Ryan's Forever Teacher because she continues to be a part of his life. 

She has a BA in SpED and an MA in mod/severe disabilities.  ...

Being a mom of a blind and autistic adult, you have many experiences and learn so many things.  Some of the most valuable things you learn are from your child themselves.  In this episode I share 8 valuable things I have learned from my kid.  

If you would like to share your stories please DM on Instagram @rockin_the_difference or email rockinthedifference@gmail.com

Please rate and review this podcast if you found this content ...

This episode I talk with Pat Coskran, a father of 37 year old Sean, who is autistic.  

He has been a special education teacher and coach in the Special Olympics. 

He is also the author of "Growing up with Sean" found where most books are sold. 

He shares his perspective as a dad, finding connection with community in his way as he took over being Sean's primary caregiver; his struggle with his ego to be in control, grief and denial;...

In this episode I share how connections with my friends and my community inside and outside of the special needs space has been a life saver for me.  

I didn't realize how much I needed to connect with others in order to feel fulfilled in my life.  This can take a lot when you're raising a special needs kid, but it is vital and the effort to get connected is well worth it. 

If you can any information you would like to share or hear...

In this special episode I bring on my amazing friends, Ashley, Tricia and Parisa, better known as the BBBs or Bonded By Blindness.  We have an amazing bond because we all have blind kids. And although we all have unique stories, we can relate to each other on this journey.  And it is so important to have someone to relate to in this special needs life. 

We share our stories and experience, share laughter and tears, struggles and lo...