Life Beyond Diagnosis: Kristie Rinn’s Journey of Resilience, Hope, and Communication Innovation

Welcome back to another episode of Life Beyond the Diagnosis. In today’s powerful conversation, host Brianna Baskerville sits down with Kristie Rinn, a resilient military mom whose eldest son, Tyler, lives with cerebral palsy and uses a Tobii communication device to connect with the world. Kristie shares the journey from Tyler’s rare diagnosis of schizencephaly, the challenges and uncertainties that marked his early years, and the moments of hope and celebration as he defied expectations—graduating high school, finding his own voice, and even navigating teenage milestones like prom. We explore how Tyler’s diagnosis not only transformed daily life for the Rinn family, but also shaped the perspectives and compassion of his siblings. Kristie opens up about the emotional impact of hearing Tyler say “I love you” for the first time through his device, the importance of accessibility and education for families facing similar challenges, and the lifesaving support from organizations like Wichita’s Littlest Heroes. Plus, we shine a spotlight on the incredible generosity of this episode’s sponsor, Mid Kansas Auto Auction, whose community spirit makes so much possible for medically complex kids across Kansas. If you’re seeking a story of innovation, fierce love, and what it means to advocate for those you love, this episode will leave you inspired and reminded, you are never alone on this journey.

❤️ If Tyler’s story moved you, subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with anyone who could use a little hope today!

 👉 Learn more about Wichita’s Littlest Heroes: https://www.wichitaslittlestheroes.com/

👉 Support our sponsor: https://www.mksaa.com/

Thank you for listening and supporting real-life heroes!