RAWR The Podcast

RAWR with Danielle: Raising a child with a severe disability, high needs and the worlds biggest and best smile

In this episode we share a story that's different to anything else we've had here before, it's truly eye-opening and brings so much perspective. Danielle is a mum to 4 beautiful children, 3 girls all born healthy and 1 son Chase who has a rare genetic disorder. Danielle opens up about the overwhelming joys and sorrows of raising a child with a severe disability and high needs, proving that disability isn’t a burden, it doesn’t define us and isn’t something to pity – it is filled with fun and adventure and the very best challenges and the brightest of moments. 
We seriously believe Danielle could change the world, we fell in love and we hope you do too. Enjoy!
This episode is sponsored by 3 Little Rabbits Bums: creating handmade items aimed at special needs mama's and their superhero children.
Mentioned in this episode:
- 3 Little Rabbits Bums- High needs for adventure and travel- Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley

RAWR Real Talk: All things siblings, sleep and going back to work after maternity leave

In this week’s episode Amy & Grecian share a life update (gosh we love a chat!) before delving deep into siblings, sleep, and going back to work after maternity leave. We chat through the ups and downs of raising siblings with different needs, and the associated impact this can have on emotions and relationships. We then discuss all things sleep (yep, you asked for it!) along with the often unrecognised anxiety that can come with returning to work after an extended period of time off with your baby. Run a bath, pop us in your ears and enjoy!
This episode is sponsored by Smoo Mini Smoothie Cups : helping parents navigate fussy eating, encouraging healthier habits using a positive and playful approach.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Quote by 'Unknown'"If you want to know how to treat a child with special needs, look at their sibling. They'll show you."
- Quote by Sally Phillips “The siblings of special needs children are quite special. Absolutely accepting and totally loving, from birth, someone who is different mentally, and has a different way of seeing the world, is a wonderful trait. It's a trait I wish there was another way of getting, but there isn't. And it does involve a degree of not having it fantastically easy.”
- Zazu ‘Sam the Lamb’
- Riff Raff Sleep Toys
- Kasey Brooks @_mrskaseybrooks_ - see Episode 15

RAWR with Georgie: ‘One in a million’ Eve – A diagnosis without a name, 24/7 oxygen, frequent ICU stays and advocating for your child both medically and socially

In this episode we speak with Georgie, the incredible mama of ‘one in a million’ Eve, who has an incurable rare genetic lung and heart disease, the only one in Australia. Georgie talks about the unknowns of Eve’s condition and the realities of not having a proper diagnosis for your child, along with the ins and outs of having an older child on oxygen and how she advocates for Eve both medically and socially – she is a wealth of knowledge and has some great tips and tricks on these topics! We also talk about their decision to have another child after Eve, and their recent stay in ICU with BOTH of their babies at the same time due to the dreaded RSV.
Georgie is such a bright light of positivity – we just love her energy and joy for life, and we hope you love the episode!

RAWR Real Talk: The school mum life juggle

This episode Amy & Grecian talk all about school mum life – the juggle of the morning rush, drop off and pick up, big emotions, dividing time between children, school holidays and the mental load of, well, everything! This one is suited to ALL mama’s, but we do of course touch on the extra hurdles and challenges we face with our ride or die darlings with additional needs. We hope you love it!
This episode is sponsored by Jellystone Designs: Australia’s favourite silicone chews for nurturing wellbeing and curiosity.
Mentioned in this episode: - Enlightened Hair Studio - ‘First Day of School’ Poem by Wendy Silva- B-Box (Bento Lunchboxes)

RAWR Real Talk: Life update - the battle scars of a medical and special needs mama in the ’thick’ of it

This episode Amy and Grecian give a run down and life update on their tough past few weeks with Jack (lungs) and Riley (tube feeding), and we also answer some of your questions. We get real vulnerable and share our battle scars - sometimes we hurt in places we least expect it. This one's a bit of a rollercoaster, there's a lot of raw truths, tears and laughs. Thanks for coming along for the ride and RAWR-ing alongside us. 
This episode is sponsored by Forever Toys: an Australian mama-run shop featuring quality open-ended wooden toys for all ages that ignite imagination, creating memories to treasure forever. 

RAWR with Rachel: A rare genetic disorder and IVF following two complicated pregnancies resulting in premature birth and infant loss

This week we chat to another downright phenomenal guest, Rachel, from @our_rough_journey on Instagram. Rachel is a mama to three beautiful children, one who is earthside and the other two who are sparkling bright in the sky. Rachel shares her story of a full-term stress-free pregnancy with her first child Kai, followed by two complicated pregnancies involving intra-uterine growth restriction, pre-eclampsia, abruption and premature birth which both devastatingly ended in neonatal death. Rachel and her partner found out they are carriers of the LARS1 gene, that has only 25 recorded cases worldwide. There is a 1 in a million chance to have a baby affected with this disorder and it happened to them twice. Now, they are starting IVF with embryo genetic testing to fulfil their dream of bringing their fourth child into the world.  
Trigger warning: This episode talks about traumatic experiences including pregnancy complications, premature birth and infant loss. We recommend you protect your heart and your soul and turn this podcast off now if these topics are triggering for you.
 

RAWR with Hayley: ‘My brain is dancing’ - Raising a neurodiverse child with autism, ADHD, anxiety, global developmental delay + more

We chat with another incredible guest this week, Hayley from @hayleyandtheboys_ivfmiracles. Hayley is an IVF warrior times two, the second time around they endured 23 rounds over multiple years. Throughout all of this, her first son Liam was diagnosed with global developmental delay, autism, ADHD and epilepsy, amongst others. In this episode we chat with Hayley about how this all came to be diagnosed, the early signs and behaviours that Liam displayed and how they managed in those earlier days. We then talk about Liam now and what a typical day looks like for their family including little brother Alexander who just turned one, and how they’ve learned to know what is best for Liam and the routines they’ve put into place to support him.
This episode is sponsored by Second Scout: magnetic timber weekly planners and routine helpers designed by an Australian Mum of two that empower and promote independence for kids of all abilities.

RAWR Real Talk (Pt 2): Therapies, oral aversion, sensory differences, challenging behaviours and medical trauma

In Part 2, Amy & Grecian focus on sensory differences, regulation of emotions, poo (all the poo!) and medical trauma in children. They talk through their own personal experiences with these everyday challenges, what has/hasn’t worked for them and trying to access supports and therapies for these specific areas. 
Mentioned in this episode:
@the_therapist_parent@justkeepstimming_@ot_mama_of_twins

RAWR Real Talk (Pt 1): Therapies, oral aversion, sensory differences, challenging behaviours and medical trauma

In Part 1, Amy & Grecian discuss the everyday juggle and challenges of therapies and the importance of finding the right team. They talk through their own personal experiences with oral aversion, feeding and speech delays, along with trying to find the right strategies to navigate challenging behaviours.
This episode is sponsored by Busy Books Australia: interactive activity books that empower children of all ages and abilities to foster a strong, fun relationship with learning that lasts a lifetime.

RAWR with Jade: Taking life one minute at a time as a mother battling BPD, PTSD and ADHD

This one is a little different and will affect you in a big way – it certainly left us in awe! Jade shares an unfiltered account of ‘taking life one minute at a time’ as a mother battling BPD, PTSD & ADHD. She shows a shitload of courage by stepping up and being a voice for an under-represented and invisible group in the hopes she can reach not only other mothers who are battling with mental health conditions, but also those who are unfamiliar and have a lot to learn. This is a mother’s story of struggle, determination, hope and love, and it’s so damn powerful.
This episode is sponsored by Smoo Mini Smoothie Cups : helping parents navigate fussy eating, encouraging healthier habits using a positive and playful approach.