Balancing Self-Care and Advocacy as a Parent of a Disabled Child

Disabled and Proud

Brooke talks to Emma, the mother of a disabled child, about her experiences and insights. Emma shares her journey from pregnancy to raising her daughter, Dottie, who was born on her due date.

She reflects on the challenges of navigating the healthcare system and advocating for Dottie's needs. Emma discusses the importance of authentic representation of disability in media and the power of storytelling. She also touches on the struggles of self-care and the emotional toll of advocating for her daughter in various settings.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Advocating for a disabled child in medical settings can be emotionally challenging, but it is crucial to ensure the child's needs are met and their voice is heard. It involves being confident, determined, and prepared to stand up for what is best for the child.

Authentic representation of disability in media and storytelling is essential for empowering individuals and changing societal perceptions. It is important to tell untold stories and showcase the diversity within the disabled community.

Balancing self-care with the responsibilities of caring for a disabled child is crucial. Recognising when to take a break, setting boundaries, and surrounding oneself with supportive individuals are key aspects of self-care for a parent carer.

Questioning assumptions and biases about disability is important in advocating for a disabled child. It involves resisting harmful tropes, advocating for authentic representation, and challenging conflicting opinions from professionals.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think when she was first born. For the first sort of five months, we were in and out of hospital a lot. And it wasn't like we were told in that time, oh, she's disabled, or she has this condition, or it was sort of a really weird mix of what's happening, panic, sort of worry."

"I've definitely sort of evolved my thinking and perception of disability as a direct result of being Dottie's mum."

"I think it's about having those conversations that you wouldn't necessarily normally have with your friends down the pub. Because actually, they're not going to be the ones that necessarily grow your mindset."

"Sometimes some people aren't able to be saved. That is not a you problem, that is a them problem."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

HOST BIO

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves.

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational.

Disabled & Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”.

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en