Special Fathers' Network Podcast

David talks to a special father who’s making a difference in Portland, Oregon. His name is Shanne Sowards who at the age of 15 became a father to his daughter Kendra. While therelationship with the mother didn’t work out and against the odds, Shanne stuck by Kendra. With the help of a mentor named Ben. Years later Shanne felt the calling to inspire teen fathers and started Squires, a mentoring program for teen fathers. Also David Hirsch will talk to one of Shanne’s mentees, Quame Assumen; who at 16 became a teen father to his son King, who has had some serious health issues. Hear their inspiring stories now.

David Hirsch talks to special father Dick Hoyt. Dick and his son Rick, a non-verbal spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy, have competed in over 1200 races including 34 Boston Marathons and Six Iron Man Triathalons. Hear their amazing story on this Special Fathers’ Network Podcast.

David Hirsch talks with Air Force Vet Bob Roybal. Bob and his wife Michelle are parents of Brody Roybal, a forward for the U.S. Paralympic Hockey Team. Brody, 19, just won his second gold medal at the Paralympic Games in South Korea.

David Hirsch talks with film producer and director Scott Sowers. Scott and his wife Sharon live outside of Atlanta and are parents of a special needs daughter, Gloria. Scott produced and directed a film called Special Needs, about people with special needs and the families that care for them.

Molly Aider, Jeff's oldest daughter, struggled in school with dyslexia and learning differences. At a conference with school counselors, Jeff and his wife, Jennifer Levine, were told to send Molly to a large school in the suburbs or to a boarding school. Instead, Jeff and his wife founded Walcott School in Chicago --- a college prep high school for students with learning differences.

David Hirsch talks with Clayton Frech, father of Ezra Frech. Ezra was born missing his left knee and fibula and with only one finger on his left hand, but through spirit, grit and determination Ezra has gone on to do some great things and has propelled his dad to found Angel City Sports, which offers sports programming in Southern California for kids, adults and veterans with physical liabilities or impairments. It’s an amazing story and a great listen.

Paul and his wife Nancy are co-founders of Gigi's Playhouse, which are Down syndrome achievement centers for individuals, like their daughter Gigi, who have Down syndrome. There are now more than 30 Gigi's Playhouses across the country. Listen to Paul share his life with and commitment to his special daughter, Gigi.

Movie, television and Broadway star Joe Mantenga and his wife Arlene discovered that daughter Mia --- at two and a half years old --- was autistic. Joe shares his journey with listeners of raising an autistic child: finding the right schools and searching for needed resources. He also talks about the special relationship between Mia and her younger sister Gia.

Jim Elliott, the father of two daughters with disabilities and founder of Diveheart.org, changes lives by people with all abilities through scuba diving, scuba therapy and related activities.

Skip Gianopulos Is the father of four daughters; two with special needs. Take a listen to see just how this man's life has been changed, and how he's helped change the lives of many more through his work with GiGi's Playhouse.

The Father Who Was Transformed By His Son's Autism.And it would lead him, to then transform the lives of thousands of other "differently-abled" Americans. Former Walgreens executive Randy Lewis' incredible story as part of our Special Fathers series.

In this Special Fathers Network Podcast introduction, hear host David Hirsch tell why he feels fathers are so important. David also explains the mission of the 21st Century Dads Foundation and objective of the Special Fathers Network, which is fathers helping fathers. He talks about founding the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative, his appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show, being raised by a single mom who was a Chicago Public School teacher, the influence of Sam Solomon his maternal grandfather, being mentored by Dr. Ken Canfield, the Dads Honor Rides from Santa Monica to Chicago, Boston to Chicago and Around Lake Michigan and more recently the Cycle To End Father Absence (C2EFA) events. To find out more about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org/special-fathers-network.