T21Mom-A Down Syndrome Podcast

Embracing the Unexpected: Christiana Thiessen's Down Syndrome Journey of Love and Resilience

Mary sits down for an enlightening conversation with Christiana Thiessen, a courageous Canadian who along with her husband moved to Jordan to assist with the Syrian refugee crisis.  Just a year and a half later, Christiana discovered she was pregnant with her first child.  Joy quickly turned to uncertainty when she learned that her baby would be born with Down syndrome.  Facing this challenge in a foreign country was daunting.  

Yet , Christiana's journey to acceptance was swift and profound.  Within 24 hours of receiving the diagnosis, she embraced her baby's future with unwavering love.  Despite facing skepticism from doctors and advice to return to Canada due to limited support for her baby in Jordan, Christiana and her husband made the brave decision to relocate back to Canada within six days of receiving their baby's diagnosis.

In her conversation with Mary, Christiana shares a powerful message: a Down syndrome diagnosis is not the end of the world.  Instead, it opens up a path of different, yet equally meaningful experiences.  Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the boundless power of love and acceptance.

 

T21Mom - Episode 132: From Overlooked to Overcoming: Puja Mehta's Down Syndrome Diagnosis Journey with Aaryav

In an incredibly raw and often heartbreaking conversation, Mary sits down with Puja Mehta to delve into the story of her son Aaryav's diagnosis.  Puja, who currently resides in India, spent several years in the United States, where she gave birth to both her children.  She recounts the experience of a medical system that failed her long before Aaryav, who was born with Down syndrome, came into the world.

From the beginning, red flags were missed.  Markers on her ultrasounds, indicative of Down syndrome, were overlooked.  When Aaryav was born, Puja immediately sensed something was different-he didn't resemble either her or her husband and he struggled to latch.  Despite these signs, no doctor followed up on one doctor's suspicion of Aaryav having Down syndrome that was noted in his chart. 

Puja describes this period as an emotional time.  It wasn't until a lactation consultant, four weeks after Aaryav's birth, congratulated her and remarked how beautiful Arya was, that Puja began to see a glimmer of light.  This  moment marked the beginning of her journey from shock and confusion to acceptance and love.

T21Mom - Episode 131: It's the End of the Year and I Feel Fine

It's the end of the school year and Mary shares about the type of year it's been with another new EA for Ainsley.  She shares Ainsley's successes and what it means to have a good team to support your child.  Mary also talks about a great day at the PNE where Ainsley rode the big roller coaster for the very first time (she wasn't one bit scared) and their big plans for the summer.  

T21Mom - Episode 130: Against All Odds: A Mother's Journey of Hope, Strength and Miracles

In a heartfelt conversation, Mary sits down with Kim Revai, who shares the incredible and emotional story of her son Jace's birth.  Kim's journey is a testament to the strength and resilience of a mother facing unimaginable challenges.  Jace entered the world at an astonishing 26 weeks and one day, far earlier than expected.  Kim, living far from her family was told to go directly to the hospital and prepare for his birth, plunging her into a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty.  

Despite his very premature birth, Jace has defied all odds.  Initially doctors believed he would need heart surgery and a tracheostomy, yet Jace has triumphed without either.  Kim's narrative is one of enduring courage, demonstrating that even in the face of the hardest of trials , one can persevere and do hard things.  

Admist the trials, Kim and her family have held onto their dream of RV living and making it a reality.  This dream symbolizes not just the desire for adventure, but their relentless hope and faith in the face of life's toughest moments.  

T21Mom - Episode 129: Crash, Bourbon and Fascinators: The Haunted Rockin' Moms Do The Kentucky Derby!

Mary and a group of her Haunted Rockin' Mom friends meet and go to the 150th Kentucky Derby.  These women all met on a haunted pub crawl back in 2022, and have forged an incredible friendship.  They pack in a lot over the Derby weekend, including a bourbon tasting, scooter escapades, the Thirsty Peddler and of course, the exhilaration of the Derby itself.  

T21Mom - Episode 128 - Defying the Odds and Carving Her Own Path: A Down Syndrome Journey With Sabine Kussman

Mary sits down with Sabine Kussman, who recounts her poignant journey of her son Kian's diagnosis and her family's courageous path forward.  From a heart-wrenching beginning, where two weeks passed without a single medical professional congratulating her on son's birth, to facing discouragement about breastfeeding, Sabine learned to trust her instincts.  Despite therapists' negative predictions, Kian defied the odds, walking at 14 months , riding a bike and even mastering downhill skiing.  Sabine passionately shares how her family, guided by unwavering expectations and love for Kian, does everything they dream of.  In a deeply moving moment, Sabine remembers when her two year old son, with innocent wisdom, reassured her, "don't worry mommy, everything is going to be fine!" And indeed it has been-more than fine!

T21Mom - Episode 127: Dreams Come True: Shiloh Carte's Journey to Embracing Down Syndrome

Mary has an engaging and heartfelt conversation with Shiloh Carte who shares her not very typical, diagnosis story.  In fact, Shiloh predicted her child with Down syndrome! Over a year before she was even pregnant, Shiloh had a dream that was so vivid and so powerful that she knew with all her being that it had to be true-she dreamt that she was going to have a baby with Down syndrome and it would be a girl! Hear how Shiloh shares her vision with her husband, family and even medical professionals and how her dream came true!

T21Mom - Episode 126: Embracing the Heart: Stacey Herncane's Journey Through Diagnosis, Grief and Celebration of Down Syndrome

Mary chats with fellow Rockin' Mom Stacey Herncane who shares her diagnosis story.  Stacey waited in limbo for a week until she was given a definitive diagnosis for her son.  From grief of thinking "why her" and how this just wasn't a possibility in her and her husband's lives, to taking lessons from third graders and learning to celebrate Down syndrome, Stacey goes through all the emotions.  And sometimes the greatest lessons come from kids.  

T21Mom - Episode 125 - You Gotta Have Faith-From Heartbreak to Hope, Dorothy's Diagnosis Story

Mary's heart-to-heart with Dorothy reveals the power of faith and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Dorothy's journey from miscarriage to pregnancy is a testament to the human spirit and the importance of holding onto hope.  Twenty years later, she recalls receiving the diagnosis news of her daughter Faith with such vivid detail, showing how these moments shape our lives and stay with us forever.  

T21Mom - Episode 124 - Embracing Resilience and Hope: Kellie Anderson's Inspiring Down Syndrome Diagnosis Journey

Mary's conversation with Kellie Anderson reveals a powerful story of resilience and hope.  Despite Kellie's Rh factor creating obstacles during her pregnancy, she remained determined and inspired.  When her baby Raina was born with Down syndrome, Kellie's husband provided unwavering support and reassurance.  Kellie's message to new parents is one of positivity and courage, reminding them that everything will be alright.