Today, we’re diving into a heartfelt conversation that every parent, advocate, and entrepreneur should definitely tune into. We’ve got Reasa Selph with us, a fierce advocate for patient safety and an award-winning business strategist, sharing her personal journey after her son Nicholas faced a life-threatening battle with sepsis. Just days after being sent home from the ER without proper treatment, Nicholas collapsed and spent over a month in intensive care, a harrowing experience that left him with permanent injuries. Reasa's story isn’t just about survival; it’s a call to action for parents everywhere to trust their instincts and advocate fiercely when the healthcare system falls short. So, grab your favorite snack, get comfy, and let’s unpack this powerful tale of resilience, advocacy, and the urgent need for change in our medical systems.

A heartfelt journey unfolds as we hear from Reasa Selph, a passionate advocate for patient safety and a business strategist who found herself battling not only for her son's life but for systemic changes in healthcare. When 11-year-old Nicholas was sent home from the ER despite showing alarming signs of sepsis, Reza's instincts screamed that something was wrong. Just two days later, Nicholas collapsed into septic shock, leading to a grueling month in intensive care filled with surgeries and uncertainty. This episode dives deep into the moments of fear, helplessness, and eventual empowerment that Reza experienced as she navigated the healthcare system that failed her family. Reasa shares crucial warning signs every parent should recognize and emphasizes the importance of trusting one's gut feelings, especially when it comes to advocating for a child’s health. Her story is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in medical systems and the resilience required to push for change.

But it’s not just about the struggle; Reasa’s journey is also one of hope and determination. As she continues to run her marketing agency, she exemplifies how personal challenges can fuel professional growth. It’s this duality of personal tragedy and professional ambition that creates a powerful narrative of resilience, encouraging listeners to become advocates not just for their own families but for all families navigating similar challenges. Tune in for a candid discussion that reminds us of the importance of vigilance, advocacy, and the strength found in community support as we all fight our own battles against the healthcare system.

Takeaways:

• In this episode, we explore the heartbreaking journey of Reasa Selph and her son Nicholas, who faced a life-threatening battle with sepsis after being sent home from the ER.
• Reasa emphasizes the importance of trusting your instincts as a parent, especially when it comes to your child's health and advocating for necessary medical attention.
• We learned that sepsis can escalate rapidly, so recognizing warning signs like low blood pressure and confusion can be crucial for timely intervention.
• Reasa's experience sheds light on the systemic issues within healthcare, highlighting the need for accountability and mandatory protocols to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families.

Mentioned in this episode:

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Today, we’re diving deep into the world of foster care education with the incredible Sharon Dunlevy, an educational advocate who’s truly making waves in this often-overlooked area. Sharon’s mission is crystal clear: she’s all about bringing the needs of children in foster care to the forefront of educational policy and practice. She’s not just a trainer for foster parents; she’s a passionate speaker and influencer who recently snagged the fan favorite title in a speaking competition, proving that her voice is one that resonates. Together, we’ll explore the unique challenges these kids face in the education system, from trauma-induced learning barriers to the importance of building supportive teams around them. So, grab a comfy seat and get ready to be inspired as we uncover how we can all play a part in ensuring these children not only survive but thrive!

A heartwarming and enlightening chat unfolds as we dive into the intricacies of advocating for children in foster care with our remarkable guest, Sharon Dunlevy. With a mission that's as noble as it is necessary, Sharon opens up about her journey from special education teacher to educational advocate dedicated to ensuring that the voices of foster children are heard and their educational rights are upheld. We explore the challenges these kids face, often overlooked by society, especially concerning their schooling. Sharon emphasizes that many foster children deal with a unique set of traumas that affect their ability to learn and thrive in educational environments. She highlights the importance of understanding trauma-informed practices in education and how these can make a monumental difference in a child's learning experience.

Throughout our conversation, Sharon shares her insights into the laws designed to protect these children and how foster parents can be empowered to advocate for their educational needs. From the Every Student Succeeds Act to individualized education plans (IEPs), we discuss the tools available to foster parents and educators to help foster children succeed academically. Sharon's passion shines as she recounts her experiences training foster parents, explaining how their knowledge of these laws can lead to better outcomes for their children. The episode is filled with anecdotes and practical advice for anyone involved in the foster care system, making it clear that we all have a role to play in supporting these vulnerable kids.

As we wrap up, Sharon encourages listeners to develop empathy and understanding towards those around them, especially when it comes to invisible struggles. She leaves us with a powerful reminder that every child deserves a champion, urging us all to take action and advocate for the rights of foster children. This episode is not just a call to awareness; it's a rallying cry for compassion and informed advocacy, making it a must-listen for foster parents, educators, and anyone interested in making a positive impact in their community.

Takeaways:

1. Sharon Dunlevy is an educational advocate dedicated to improving outcomes for children in foster care, focusing on their educational rights and needs.
2. The Every Student Succeeds Act mandates that foster children stay in their school even if they change homes, ensuring stability in their education.
3. Foster children often face unique challenges due to trauma that affect their learning and behavior, requiring trauma-informed practices in schools.
4. Educators and foster parents must work collaboratively to create supportive environments for foster kids, keeping the child's needs at the center of discussions.

Jenna Udenberg is a powerhouse of advocacy and inspiration, and today, we dive deep into her incredible journey of courage and creativity. Living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis since the age of eight, Jenna has transformed her challenges into a platform for promoting accessibility and inclusion through her nonprofit, Above and Beyond With You. She’s not just about breaking down barriers; she’s about building bridges across communities, and boy, does she do it with heart! Alongside her advocacy, we chat about her memoir, "Within My A Tapestry of Pain, Growth, and Freedom," where she shares not just her struggles but also the lessons she’s learned, proving that vulnerability can lead to empowerment. So grab your favorite beverage, kick back, and join us as we explore how Jenna is making the world a more inclusive place one story at a time!

Takeaways:

• Jenna Udenberg, a fierce advocate for accessibility, shares her journey with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, highlighting the importance of lived experiences in advocacy.
• The challenge of accessibility is real, as Jenna discusses her struggles with finding accessible spaces in Minnesota, even years after the ADA was enacted.
• Through her memoir and nonprofit, Jenna emphasizes that disability is just one aspect of a person, and we should strive to see the whole individual.
• Humor and grace play vital roles in addressing uncomfortable questions about disability, as Jenna encourages open conversations rather than assumptions.

Mentioned in this episode:

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