The Abel Speaks Podcast

#49 Parenting in the Shadow of Uncertainty

In our latest podcast episode, we engage with Dr. Kevin Magee to explore the emotional and spiritual terrain that we, as parents, must traverse when grappling with a life-limiting diagnosis for our children. We delve into how capturing the ephemeral moments of our children's lives, much like noting down whimsical quotes in a little black book, can offer comfort and deepen our bonds.

If we can serve your family during this season, please email us support@abelspeaks.org or visit our website (www.abelspeaks.org).

#48 Embracing Life-Limiting Diagnoses in Children with Dr. Kevin Magee

We continue our conversation with Dr. Kevin Magee centering on the challenges faced by families and medical professionals when dealing with life-limiting diagnoses in children. Dr. Magee emphasizes the importance of clear, compassionate communication and respecting the unique decisions of each family, even when they differ from standard medical expectations.

In the Able Speaks podcast episode titled "Navigating Life-Limiting Diagnoses for Children with Compassion and Wisdom," hosts Daniel and Kelly Crawford continue their conversation with Dr. Kevin Magee. The discussion centers on the challenges faced by families and medical professionals when dealing with life-limiting diagnoses in children. Dr. Magee emphasizes the importance of clear, compassionate communication and respecting the unique decisions of each family, even when they differ from standard medical expectations.

If we can serve your family during this season, please email us support@abelspeaks.org or visit our website (www.abelspeaks.org).

#47 Maternal Fetal Specialist and the Power of Compassionate Support

In our latest podcast episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Kevin Magee, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist whose warmth and empathy shine in his approach to life-limiting diagnoses in pregnancies. We share our personal encounter with Dr. Magee, highlighting the contrast between his compassionate care and our past clinical experiences.

If we can serve your family during this season, please email us support@abelspeaks.org or visit our website (www.abelspeaks.org).

#46 The Mental Load of Love: Understanding Caregiver Families Part 2

Daniel and Kelly Crawford continue in a heartfelt dialogue with fellow caregivers Brandon and Amber, delving into the intricacies of raising a child with special needs. We openly discuss the profound impact this journey has on relationships, from the strain it places on marriages to the way it can either weaken or fortify bonds within a community. 

We explore the art of seeking and accepting help, the importance of maintaining marital harmony amidst the chaos of caregiving, and the irreplaceable value of a supportive community. This episode offers practical tips for caregivers on how to navigate their relationships, manage emotional burdens, and stay connected with their partners through tools like relationship apps and thoughtful gestures.

If we can serve your family during this season, please email us support@abelspeaks.org or visit our website (www.abelspeaks.org).

 

#45 The Mental Load of Love: Understanding Caregiver Families

Scuderis and the Mussers share their personal experiences caring for their children, Evelyn and Izzy, who live with life-limiting conditions.

They discuss the significant emotional impact caregiving has on their relationships, socialization, and the mental load they carry daily. The families touch upon the challenges they face in maintaining friendships and family dynamics, the secondary suffering of those around them, and the importance of open communication.

They also highlight the difficulty in articulating the relentless emotional labor of caregiving to those who haven't lived it, contributing to an empathy gap. The episode is an invitation to foster understanding of the caregiving experience, emphasizing the need for communities that comprehend the complexities involved and the importance of individual identity beyond caregiving roles. Through their stories, the Scuderis and Mussers shed light on the resilience, courage, and strength of caregiver families.

If we can serve your family during this season, please email us support@abelspeaks.org or visit our website (www.abelspeaks.org).

#44 The Unspoken Strength: Lessons from Siblings with Disabilities

The Mussers and the Scuderis share their personal stories and insights on how the challenge of special needs children can strengthen empathy, resilience, and family bonds.

The episode is divided into two chapters. The first chapter focuses on how the presence of a child with special needs can positively transform their siblings, fostering qualities like compassion and maturity as these siblings often take on advocacy roles and learn to care for their special needs brother or sister. The second chapter discusses the complexities of parenting in these situations, including the allocation of time between children and the guilt that may arise from attending more to the child with greater needs.

If we can serve your family during this season, please email us support@abelspeaks.org or visit our website (www.abelspeaks.org).

#43 Caregiving as a Sacred Calling

Let's continue with the Musser and Scuderi families as they share their personal experiences of caring for children with life-limiting diagnoses. They discuss how this role has become a sacred calling for them, transforming their view of everyday life and strengthening their faith.

If we can serve your family during this season, please email us support@abelspeaks.org or visit our website (www.abelspeaks.org).

#42 The Scuderi's Caregiving Journey

Amber and Brandon Scuderi share the deeply personal and moving story of their daughter Evalyn's life with Trisomy 18. They discuss the initial shock and challenges of her diagnosis, the complexity of her medical needs, and the difficult decisions they had to make regarding her care. Throughout their narrative, the Scuderis emphasize the importance of embracing every moment with Evalyn, cherishing her life despite the uncertainties, and relying on their faith to guide them through the toughest times.

The Scuderi's approach to caregiving is one of intentional joy and celebration of life, regardless of the fear and potential for loss. They advocate for not letting fear dominate their choices and for sharing Evalyn's story with others to inspire and demonstrate the power of love and faith in adversity. The episode also includes an announcement of an upcoming caregiving series that will further explore the experiences of families like the Scuderis.

If we can serve your family during this season, please email us support@abelspeaks.org or visit our website (www.abelspeaks.org).

#41 The Mussers' Caregiving Journey

In this episode of the Abel Speaks podcast, hosts Daniel and Kelly Crawford sit down with David and Katie Musser to delve into their journey as parents of Izzie, their daughter living with full trisomy 18.

The Mussers share the ups and downs of their experience, starting with the initial lack of a definitive diagnosis to facing severe medical crises such as seizures and a life-threatening pulmonary hemorrhage. They discuss the profound impact Izzie has had on their lives, reshaping their perspectives on joy, sorrow, and family bonds.

You can keep up with David's blog www.threes-a-crowd.com which he launched as a "care-giving, stay at home, home-school dad" for people to get some more day-to-day insight on this podcast series around caregiving.

 

Cox Family Case: An Abel Speaks Response (Dec 2023)

Kate Cox sought an abortion in Texas and was denied as she was unable to show her life was in danger.

Tests confirmed that the baby she was carrying had a condition called trisomy 18.

 

This is an impromptu bonus recording to address this current event in that it relates to the core of our mission.