7: Claire Cathcart: From A Heart Transplant To An Autism Diagnosis
In this episode Claire shares her emotional journey navigating the complexities of her son Jake's cardiac issues, including a heart transplant, and the effects that had on her, and her daughter Daisy. She talks about how she coped with nearly losing Jake multiple times, and how a diagnosis of autism brought a whole new set of challenges.
Claire also discusses her charitable work with Team 1C, which raises funds for children in need of heart surgeries, and supports families with children in critical care. You can find them on Instagram @weareteam1c and at www.team1c.org
Some of what Claire has been through is quite traumatic so please bear this in mind when listening, particularly if you have a child with cardiac issues.
The 2 North West based organisations Claire mentions that helped her and Jake are:
Rebounders - @rebounderstherapycentre on Instagram
The Neurodiverse Family Support Network (formerly Autism in Motion)
www.neurodiversefamilysupport.org.uk
Tags: genetic cardiac condition, heart transplant, autism, SEND, SEN, parenting
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55:31
6: Amy Blackburn: Sharing the Beauty (and Challenges) of Down Syndrome
Amy Blackburn is my first guest talking about Down syndrome so this is a special one for me. In this episode Amy shares her journey of parenting her 6 year old son Remy. She discusses the emotional impact of receiving the diagnosis, the challenges of navigating day to day life, and what happened when her older children were told about Remy’s diagnosis by someone else without her consent. Our conversation delves into the realities of managing safety, education, and Amy’s worries for Remy as he gets older. We talk about Amy’s experiences with social media, good and bad, and why it’s so important to raise awareness.
 Tags: Down syndrome, parenting, danger awareness, DLA, SEND
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56:08
5: The SEND Mummies: Helping Fellow Parents On Their SEND Journeys
This week I’m joined by Jemma and Lisa, aka the SEND Mummies, sharing their experiences as parents of children with additional needs while running a business helping other families. They talk about their personal journeys, the challenges they face, and the importance of community support. We discuss the difficulties of navigating the SEND landscape, including the difficulties with DLA and EHCP processes, and the emotional weight of advocating for their children. Jemma & Lisa talk about their coping mechanisms for overwhelming days, the grief that can accompany the journey, and how far into the future each of them are happy to think.Â
 You can find The SEND Mummies on Instagram & TikTok @SENDMummies or online at www.sendmummies.co.uk
 Tags: autism, DLA, EHCP, neurodiversity, awareness, disability benefits, pica, echolalia, global development delay
In this episode I’m joined by Jodie Morgan, who shares her journey as a mother of two boys, Layton and Brooklyn, both with very different diagnoses. Layton has cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that affects his lungs and pancreas, while Brooklyn has autism. Jodie discusses the emotional impact of their diagnoses, the routines they manage, and clever ways they’ve found to keep Layton motivated with his daily physio. Jodie talks about her decision to have another child, considering the implications of CF, and how she approaches parenting with a positive attitude to understanding and supporting her children's unique needs.
 Tags: Cystic Fibrosis, CF, Autism, Parenting, Fitness, Health Management, Cystic Fibrosis, Stroke
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53:06
3: Sam Young: Spreading Awareness About Autism
In this episode Sam Young shares her journey as a mother to 5 year old Nina who has autism. Sam discusses the challenges and joys of parenting a child on the spectrum, the importance of community support, and the role of social media in connecting with other parents. She reflects on the diagnosis process, the need for better resources, and the emotional complexities of planning for the future. Sam emphasizes the significance of advocacy and education, both for her daughter and for raising awareness in society.
You can find Sam on Instagram @samninawolf
 Tags: autism, parenting, special needs, diagnosis, advocacy, speech & language therapy
The SEND Mum Club is a parenting podcast with a difference. Made specifically for parents with children with all kinds of additional needs and/or disabilities. It's a place to share the joys and challenges of raising children with extra needs, with raw, honest conversations, designed to make you feel seen and heard on a journey none of us expected to be on.
UK