SFN Dad To Dad 403 - Swapna Sasidharan Of Schaumburg, IL Mother of 2 Including One With POGZ & Founder Of The Cure POGZ Disorders Foundation

Our guest this week is Swapna Sasidharan, of Schaumburg, IL, a Vice President of Technology at APCO Holdings, mother of two children, including one with POGZ, and founder of the Cure POGZ Disorders Foundation. 

Swapna and her husband, Sandeep, have been married for 17 years and are the proud parents of two children: daughter Sloka (12) and son Ved (10) who has POGZ, a rare genetic disorder characterized by: developmental delays, cyclic vomiting, autism, microcephaly and gastrointestinal issues.

Educated as an engineer, informed about the challenges of rare diseases and inspired to find a cure for POGZ, the rare disorder her son has, Swapna and the team at the Cure POGZ Disorders Foundation are dedicated to finding treatments and hopefully a cure for POGZ and other rare diseases.

We’ll hear all about Swapna's background growing up in a traditional Indian family, about her career, her journey as a rare disease parent, her understanding about acceptance (the difference between surrender and acknowledgement) and her enthusiasum for life on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links
Phone – [phone]
Email – [e-mail]
LinkedIn –  https://www.linkedin.com/in/swapnasasidharan/
Website –  https://www.curepogzdisorders.org/
Daily Herald Story - https://www.dailyherald.com/20250226/news/schaumburg-moms-mission-is-to-find-cure-for-sons-rare-condition/  
IL Tech Magazine Spot Light - https://issuu.com/illinois_tech/docs/illinois_tech_magazine_spring_2025 
Kirt Consulting Blog - https://www.ronkritconsulting.com/post/the-mom-who-took-on-genetics-swapna-sasidharan-s-mission-to-cure-rare-disease
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/people/Cure-Pogz-Disorders-Foundation/61566626403487/
Instagram Page - https://www.instagram.com/curepogzdisorders/

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SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated.  There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

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Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..