Episode 143 - Susie Taylor - From NICU to New Beginnings: How Susie Taylor Turned Tragedy Into a Storytelling Mission That Heals and Empowers.

This episode: From NICU to New Beginnings: How Susie Taylor Turned Tragedy Into a Storytelling Mission That Heals and Empowers.

 

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction and Initial Meeting (0:00)

• Host Drew Deraney thanks the person who introduced them to Susie Taylor, mentioning a networking event hosted by Suzanne Taylor King (STK).
• Drew explains the concept of life being linear and how external circumstances can derail it.
• He introduces three types of women: those with blind spots, those who blame external factors, and those who see adversity as an opportunity.
• Susie Taylor is introduced as the third type of woman who sees adversity as an opportunity for growth.

Susie Taylor's Defining Moment (3:08)

• Susie Taylor shares her story of becoming a public relations professional and coordinating a statewide election campaign.
• Susie's water broke at 19 weeks, leading to the birth of her son Evan at 26 weeks gestation.
• Evan spent five months in the hospital, and Susie had to stay home to care for him.
• Susie and her husband decided she would stay home to care for Evan, who had a brain hemorrhage and hydrocephalus.

Evan's Health Challenges and Susie's Adaptation (7:57)

• Evan suffered from hydrocephalus and had a shunt in his brain, requiring constant care.
• Susie describes the daily routines and medical appointments required to care for Evan.
• Evan had seizures, and Susie had to learn medical terms to communicate with doctors.
• Susie's son Philip was born 16 months after Evan and had ADHD, while their third son Derek had absence seizures.

Philip and Derek's Lives (14:20)

• Philip became a dog musher in Utah, coordinating dog sled rides for tourists.
• Susie explains how Philip's ADHD helped him excel in dog sledding.
• Derek had absence seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy, which affected his ability to join the Marines.
• Derek eventually grew out of his seizures and managed to get off his medication, but he still needs to be careful about his health.

Evan's Passing and Susie's Reflection (21:05)

• Evan had severe pain due to a herniated fundoplication, leading to a surgery that he never recovered from.
• Evan developed sepsis and passed away on Susie and her husband's wedding anniversary.
• Susie reflects on the legacy Evan left behind and the impact...

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Tell Your Story
• (00:00:50) - Stk Introduced Suzanne Taylor King to Susie Taylor
• (00:01:53) - There Are Three Types of Women
• (00:03:56) - The Defining Moment in My Life
• (00:10:50) - One child's epileptic seizures left him blind at 2
• (00:14:07) - The Challenges of Raising a Differently Able Child
• (00:16:41) - Epilepsy in the Lives of Boys
• (00:20:05) - In the Elevator With Derek
• (00:20:55) - Meet Philip the Iditarod Musher
• (00:22:26) - A single parent's story of Evan
• (00:26:19) - Story Brand Guide
• (00:30:00) - What Would You Tell Your 7-Year-Old Sister?
• (00:31:04) - Zig Ziglar
• (00:32:58) - Living the Life You Want to Live