RAWR The Podcast

If there was ever anyone that perfectly represented the RAWR community, it’s Jade! In this episode, Jade shares the story of Toby, who sadly passed away after 204 days in NICU. She opens up about the lead-up to Toby’s premature birth, followed by his long turbulent NICU journey, where she became an expert and advocated hard until the end, leaving no stone unturned. Jade bravely talks us through the day Toby passed, options for after death, and how she fought through all the uncomfortable moments and said yes to the things that were hard. Thankyou Jade for your courage in helping to break the taboo so we can do better in this space. This episode is dedicated to Toby James Phillips 13/01/2021 – 04/08/2021                                    Mentioned in this episode: The PPROM Foundation

Amy chats to Grecian about the premature birth of her twins, the push-pull of having two babies in the nursery, how a subsequent baby can bring a sense of healing, and the frustration of fighting for a diagnosis. There’s sooo many relatable ‘nodding along’ moments in this one, we hope you love it! *This episode also includes an update on RAWR moving forward, and announces a special Giveaway!  Mentioned in this episode:  - Raphael Services, St John of God

"We don't treat him any differently but we just do stuff differently".  Part 2 of Amy's chat with her husband Scott focuses on the highs and lows of being a special needs Dad. Scott talks about receiving a diagnosis, the toll of a relentless schedule and how he feels as a father supporting his child through medical trauma. Scott gives a beautiful insight into how he wouldn't change anything, and how it's made all of us - especially our two boys - who we are today.   

This week Amy chatted with her husband and biggest supporter Scott (well, Amy chatted, and Scott sat 😆) about riding the waves of NICU and Special Care. We recalled everything from riding the lifts with an esky, to sneakily taking bubs temperature again when it wasn’t quite high enough! Scott gives some insight into being on the ‘other side’ of a traumatic birth and life as a premmie/NICU Dad. Please note: This episode is a little different. It’s less ‘interview’ style and more ‘chatting with a friend’. Scott is an introvert and I knew this would make him more comfortable. Mentioned in this episode: - Blog: My experience of being a NICU Dad  

A ’short and sweet’ episode this week introducing Miracle Mumma’s newest team member Nadine to the wider premmie and NICU community! Nadine shares her experience of having a 25-weeker after two full-term babies and has some touching insights into enduring a lengthy NICU and hospital stay during covid, the added isolation of being a long way from home, along with the challenges of having older siblings of a baby in NICU. Mentioned in this episode: - Ronald McDonald House Charities - Miracle Mumma

This episode is a special one! We are joined by the incredibly inspiring and much-loved members of the premmie, NICU and loss community, Kasey & Trent Brooks. We chat about the toll of enduring child loss and a subsequent high-risk pregnancy, along with grief, men's mental health (the realities of being a NICU Dad) and what the future holds. We hope you love it!  Mentioned in this episode: - Bodhi and Friends@bodhi_andfriends  

We welcome Tara back to the pod (from ep. 12) to talk about the impact, repercussions and ongoing challenges of a disability diagnosis. We touch on the feelings of both anger and relief that can come with a diagnosis, how we struggle to advocate for ourselves, our natural desire to protect and shield others, and the challenges of good ol’ social media. We know so many of you will relate!  You can read more about Tara & Jude's story here:  Blog: Heart of a Warrior Instagram: @lionheart_mumma 

This episode is dedicated to Willow Mae Bone.29/4/20 - 28/4/21.Forever in our hearts and shining brightly in the sky. This week we honour the memory of Willow. Amy invites Kate from 'Milkshakes for Marleigh' and Emma from 'The Carers Club' to talk about holding space for grief and honouring special dates and anniversaries, while remembering Willow and holding Emma, Dylan and Hazel close to our hearts. Please note: this is a raw and unfiltered chat about infant loss and bereavement and may be triggering.  Mentioned in this episode: - Milkshakes for Marleigh- The Carers Club- Audio: 'Winter Bear' by Coby Grant- Audio: 'And if you can't' by Sydney Hatcher of Carmen's Miracle Makers "Run darling, run as fast as the stream flows. And if you can't, I'll run for you." - Sydney Hatcher  

In this week's episode, Tara shares the journey of her warrior Jude, who fell devastatingly ill at just a few weeks of age. Their lives as they knew it were sent into complete turmoil and nothing could have prepared them for the challenges and devastation they were faced with, including sepsis, seizures, meningitis, brain damage and a congenital heart defect requiring open heart surgery. This story is quite heart-wrenching but also gives so much hope. In Tara’s words, its a journey of love, pain, strength, resilience and everything in-between. We just know it’s a story the world needs to hear. Mentioned in this episode:  - Heart of a Warrior (Tara's Blog)- HeartKids- Ronald McDonald House Charities- Miracle Mumma

In our first 'RAWR Real Talk' episode we go back to the basics and have a casual chat about life - the good, the bad and the ugly. Emma talks about her recent break from the pod, sharing her truths and vulnerabilities about how despite society's expectations, grief doesn't get easier a year on. And Amy talks us through where they're at with Jack and how his increased awareness and insight of his medical procedures has been difficult for the family.  Mentioned in this episode:  Nurturing Gnomes@travelingwithgrief Moving forward we aim to do a 'RAWR Real Talk' every month about life in general, where we're at emotionally, and what's happening behind the scenes. We hope you feel comfort knowing that you're not alone in the moments that others don't see.