ABOUT EMBRACING HOLLAND
When our sons received their diagnoses, like many special needs parents, we grieved, we bargained, we petitioned, and we isolated. We were each handed the “Welcome to Holland” poem as an introduction to the new place that happened to be filled with acronyms, jargon, therapy, appointments, and uncertainty. As the dust settled, we looked around and began to see our surroundings through a new lens. We launched into the disability world and discovered that our lives were not over, quite the opposite. A new life was before us, one filled with people, places and things we would have never known, including a new level of empathy, sensitivity, and understanding. With open minds and hearts, we started this podcast to show other families new and further down the path, that there is so much good being done because of the detour to this new foreign land. Join as we embark on “Embracing Holland."
What they're saying...
MEET THE LADIES BEHIND THE MIC
About Angie
Lover of scones and her family. Angie is a wife and mother of three, including three children with varying disabilities. Her oldest has several medical conditions, including POTS and PANS, not to be confused with cookware ;-). Her middle child has a rare genetic disorder called SCN2A, which causes autism, epilepsy, and a number of other medical complications. And so far, her youngest has dealt with hearing loss and needs reading intervention.
Angie spends her days directing the advising and student support functions at her local community college and her evenings cheering on and celebrating her children's inch stones. She has a master's degree in clinical community counseling, a doctorate in organizational leadership, and her dissertation focused on caregivers who have started businesses as a pathway to meaningful employment for their adult children with developmental disabilities.
Angie is passionate about creating community, sharing stories, and supporting others in the face of fear and uncertainty. She is an outspoken introvert with a passion for helping and loving people in hard places.
About Meg
Big-hearted, endlessly resourceful, and fueled by iced tea, Meg is a mom of three who navigates the beautiful chaos of life with grace, grit, and a healthy dose of humor.
She is the sound engineer and producer of the podcast. Her life revolves around being a full-time Mom to her two youngest, uniquely wonderful children, finding moments to spend quality time with her husband, Jay, and catching up with her amazing friends who are still hanging on for the ride.
A fierce advocate for her children’s needs, she balances compassion with diplomacy, understanding the realities of the public school system while never backing down from what’s best for her kids. Her experience dealing with her family's ASD, ADHD, OCD, and Anxiety, among other things, has given her patience and a soft spot for kids who face struggles.
She’s a jill-of-all-trades and is always involved in home improvement projects with Jay. She is usually found with a crochet hook in her hand and residual paint under her nails. To unwind, she enjoys frivolous TV, the occasional pedicure, and caring for her menagerie of critters.
Testimonials
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Testimonial 2