Special Fathers' Network Podcast

Lee Jorwic, a manufacturers sales rep tells about his life with an autistic son and how facilitative communication has allowed Chris to share his thoughts with the world around him. We’ll also hear about Lee’s work as Chairman of the Board of the Ray Graham Association, creating opportunities that empower people with disabilities. That’s all in this Special Fathers Network Podcast. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

Special Father Bob Bjerkaas is David Hirsch’s guest in this Special Fathers Network Podcast. Bob and his wife Kerrie are parents of four children, Christopher, Maggie, Timmie and Nate. Christopher had previously been diagnosed with with Tourettes Syndrome at age four and Rolandic Epilepsy at age eight. Bob is a pastor at Church of the Canyon in Calabasas, California, he also has Retinitis Pigmentosa an eye disease that severely affects his vision. It’s the story of another amazing father and his family, Bob Bjerkass David Hirsch’s guest in this Special Fathers Network podcast. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

He’s a fire chief in Sedona Arizona, he had a daughter with special needs who sadly passed away at age two, and through it all he continues in his quest to help people. He’s Kris Kazian and he’s David Hirsch’s guest in this Special Fathers Network Podcast. Kris and his wife Christine formed Helping from Heaven – the Lexie Kazian foundation, a not for profit organization that improves the quality of life for families with special needs kids. It’s a compelling interview and a great listen. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

In This Special Fathers Network podcast, David Hirsch talks to special father Paul Miller, an author of many books including, “Love Walked Among Us.” He’s also Executive Director of SEE JESUS, a global discipling mission that supports spiritual growth in more than 30 countries. Paul and his wife Jill are parents of 6 children, Courtney, Ashley, John, Andrew, Emily and Kim who has significant disabilities.We’ll hear the Miller family story including how Paul discovered that putting extra effort into loving your family pays off with huge dividends.He’s another amazing father, Paul Miller. And he’s David’s guest today on this Special Fathers Network Podcast. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

In This Special Fathers Network podcast, David Hirsch talks to special father and just retired U.S. Marine, Kim “Rooster” Rossiter. Rooster and his wife Laurie are parents of three children, Briley, Kamden and Ainsley who had Infantile Neuroxinal Dystrophia. Rooster is also president and founder of Ainsley’s Angels a not for profit that builds awareness for the special needs community by making sure that everyone can experience sporting events like marathons and 5k runs. Ainsley’s Angels helps those with special needs cross the finish line all across the country. We’ll hear the story of Rooster and his family and how Ainsley’s Angels made it possible for everyone to feel the thrill of competition. It’s a glimpse into the life of another inspirational Dad, Kim “Rooster” Rossiter. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

In This Special Fathers Network podcast, David Hirsch talks to special father and ordained minister, Joe Butler. Joe and his wife Jen are parents of three children, Clara, Hanna and Micah, who has multiple special needs. We’ll hear the story of Joe and Jen, how they found a new life in Arkansas with their family and how having a child with special needs has improved and enriched their lives. Joe and Jen formed Ability Tree, a not for profit organization that helps parents of special needs kids. Ability tree provides a safe nurturing environment for special needs kids so parents can get a badly needed rest. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

In This Special Fathers Network podcast David Hirsch talks to special father, Brian Rubin, a lawyer who works with families with special needs kids. Brian and his wife Linda have been married 41 years and have three grown children, Nicole, Benji, and Mitchell, who is autistic. We’ll hear the Rubin family story, get some sage advice, and we’ll hear about Brian’s legal work and how he and his team really help the special needs community. That’s all in this Special Fathers Network podcast. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

In This Special Fathers Network podcast David Hirsch talks to special father, David Friedman. David and his wife Diane are the parents of 4 children, Stacy, Jenna, Helene and Mathew who is autistic. We’ll hear the Friedman story of and how they’ve stuck together as a family unit.And David Friedman who has had a successful business career formed a company called Autonomy Works, where employees with autism use their particular skills to perform needed services for clients. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

In This Special Fathers Network podcast, David Hirsch talks to Special Father Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson. Rabi Artson and his wife Elana are parents of 25 year old twins, Shira and Jacob, who’s severely autistic. Rabbi Artson has found that allowing his non-verbal son Jacob the ability to communicate via keyboard was the key to unlocking many of Jacob’s difficulties. And like many parents of special needs children, the bond between child and parent is very strong indeed. We’ll hear great stories, profound insights and examples of what makes the Artsons a very tight knit family unit. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

In this Special Fathers Network podcast, host David Hirsch talks to Special Father Peter Morici, a father of two who has been visually disabled for the past several years. Peter and his wife Elena have been married for 13 years and have two kids, Alex, 11, who is autistic and Jenny, 8, who has a form of ADHD. Peter has spent a lot of time over the years trying to find alternative forms of treatment for his kids. He discovered with the help of others that he could take matters into his own hands and with great success.Also, recently Peter was selected as one of the three Fathers of the Year by the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative after his son Alex delivered an incredible speech at a recent dinner. It’s a great story and a great listen. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

Host David Hirsch talks to Special Father, Joe Ciriano. Joe and his late wife, Joy were married for 21 years and had four children. Ashley, 28, Emily, 25, Charles,18 and 14-year-old Grace who has Down Syndrome.Joe has had his challenges and his life became even more challenging when he became an only parent after his wife Joy passed away in 2009, due to breast cancer. Joe and six other fathers who had also lost their wives became a part of a support group, their story is told in the book, The Group, by Donald J Rosenstein and Justin Yopp.Joe is truly a special father and we’ll hear his story on this Special Father’s network Podcast. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

Host David Hirsch talks to special father Adam Levy. Adam is a personal trainer who lives in the Chicago area. He and his wife Lauren are parents of four year old Nora, who has complex medical needs due to a premature birth. It’s a story of tough times for Adam and his family, but like many special parents, they persevered. And as a direct result the Nora Project was formed. It’s a program that teaches students to treat their special needs classmates with empathy and kindness. And it all ends with a custom made video and a red carpet film fest. It’s a great story and we’ll hear it on this Special Fathers Podcast. For more information on The Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

In this Special Fathers Network Podcast, Host David Hirsch talks to Chicago Sports radio legend, Dan McNeil. Dan has been broadcasting all across the radio dial throughout his 30 plus year career in Chicago.Currently he’s broadcasting at his old home, Sports Radio 670, The Score.Dan tells us about being a Dad - a special father to three boys - Van, Patrick and Jack. It’s his second son, Patrick who’s Autistic.The bond between Dan and Patrick is very special. Patrick regards his Dad as his best friend. We’ll hear the story of the McNeil family, Dan’s kids, his wife, Sherri and how he’s adjusted along the way. That’s all in this Special Fathers Network Podcast. To find out more about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

Meet Gene Andrasco. Gene and his wife Kelley are the proud parents of 2 children, 18 year-old Ryan and 17 year-old Kiley who has been diagnosed with Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood, or AHC. In this Special Fathers’ Network Podcast, we’ll hear the Andrasco family story, how they’ve dealt with Kiley’s rare neurological disorder and how they’ve tried to help other people who have the same disorder.That’s all on this edition of the Special Fathers Network Podcast. To find out more go to spreaker.com/show/the-special-fathers-network-podcast

In this Special Fathers’ Network Podcast, David Hirsch talks to special father Brain Page. Brian and his wife Natalie are parents of four young adults including 21-year-old Benjamin who was born with a brain bleed.Brian talks about challenges of raising a child with special needs.But through hard work and lots of encouragement, Benjamin has gone on to live a productive busy life. He’s now a student at Shepherd’s College. That’s all today on this Special Fathers Network podcast. For more information, go to: 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

In this Special Fathers Network Podcast we’re saying Howdy to Tom Landis of Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, in Dallas Texas. In addition to serving great ice cream, Howdy’s is staffed almost exclusively by people with special needs. We’ll meet some members of the Howdy Homemade team and maybe have a taste of some Howdy Homemade. That’s all in this Special Fathers Network Podcast. For more information go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

Meet John Cronin. John and his Dad, Mark, own the successful on-line business John’s Crazy Socks. John has Down Syndrome and it was his idea to start a business selling colorful crazy socks with his Dad. Today David Hirsch talks to John’s Dad, Mark Cronin about the journey that led to this crazy successful business idea. That’s on this Special Fathers Network Podcast. And to find out more about The Special Fathers Network go to http://21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

This Special Fathers Network Podcast features a series of conversations David Hirsch had over the last few months with The Autism Dad, Rob Gorski. Rob and his wife Liz are parents to three special needs boys.Rob shares his stories and writes of his parenting experiences both positive and negative on his website “The Autism Dad.com.”These interviews took place over several days and we’re featuring them for you now. To find out more about the Special Fathers Network go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

In this Special Fathers’ Network Podcast, David Hirsch talks with Dan Marquardt, from Marquardt of Barrington, Buick GMC. Dan and with his wife Jennifer are parents to 9 children, including six adopted children who all have special needs. It’s an amazing story of a couple who are trying to make the world a better place - and succeeding. To find out more about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.

David Hirsch talks to special father Jim Mueller. Jim and his wife Margot are parents of three children, Jessica, Lili and Luke, who was born as a spastic quaraplegic with cerebral palsy. Jim tells David of his journey raising a special needs son and how it helped enrich his and his family’s life. Sadly, Luke passed away in December of 2016 but the Mueller family moves forward and Jim shares with us his many insights he learned from being Luke’s father.