Special Fathers' Network Podcast

Our guest this week is Joe Lang of Sacramento, CA who is managing partner at Lang, Hansen, Giroux & Kidane, a lobbying/government relations firm, as well as the co-founder of Jordan’s Guardian Angels, a non-profit whose mission is helping to improve and bring joy to the lives of children and families in the Coachella Valley and beyond. Joe and his wife, Cynthia, have been married for 18 years and are the proud parents of two children; Blythe (30) and Jordan (16), who was diagnosed with PPP2R5D, now known as Jordan’s Syndrome. We’ll learn about the Lang family journey, how PPP2R5D was named Jordan Syndrome, how Jordan’s Guardian Angels came into existence and how they support & bring joy to the lives of families raising children with special healthcare needs.Jordan’s Guardian Angels - https://jordansguardianangels.org Family Conference Documentary - https://jordansguardianangels.org/watch-our-story/ Email - jlang@lhom.com Phone – (916) 708-1802Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring pr

This week David Hirsch talks with fellow Illini Adam Bleakney, head coach of the wheelchair track program, which is part of the Division Of Disability Resources & Educational Services in the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We also meet: Amanda McGrory and Brian Siemann, two University of Illinois graduates who were part of the wheelchair track team and who have both competed in numerous international Paralympic events. You’ll learn about their backstories, what brought them to the world of adaptive athletics at UofI, as well as how their university experience has allowed them to prosper, find meaningful employment, to compete at the highest levels internationally and to see the world. It’s an amazing trio of stories that you’ll hear on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. University of Illinois Adaptive Athletics Programs – https://www.disability.illinois.edu LinkedIn –Adam - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-bleakney-4ba61421/ Amanda - ht

Our guest this week is Rabbi Kalman Samuels of Jerusalem, Israel. Rabbi Samuels and his wife, Malki, have seven children, one of whom, Yossi, became deaf and blind after being administered a faulty vaccine at two. We’ll hear the remarkable story of how Yossi learned to communicate, to read, and how Kalman and Malki started Shalva, a seven story state-of-the art center on five acres in downtown Jerusalem, which serves as a beacon of hope, helping thousands of disabled children weekly, gain an ability to have a higher quality life. We’ll also hear about Kalman’s book, “Dreams Never Dreamed: A Mother’s Promise That Transformed Her Son’s Breakthrough into a Beacon of Hope” available on Amazon. It’s an amazing story and one you’ll enjoy on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Links:SHALVA The Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities - https://www.shalva.org Book - Dreams Never Dreamed: A Mother’s. Promise That Transformed Her Son’s Breakthrough into a Beacon of Hope -

Our guest this week is Shayne Gaffney of Windham, NH, a cycling & running coach, a licensed physical therapy assistant, and father of two including a daughter with CytoMegaloVirus, or CMV.Shayne and his wife, Megan, have been married for 8 years and are the proud parents of two children: Finn (5) and Grace (3), who was diagnosed with CytoMegaloVirus or CMV, a common virus, but when a baby is born with congenital CMV infection, it can result in several long-term health problems. We learn about the Gaffney family journey, their advocacy for those impacted by CMV and the role Easter Seals & the CMV Foundation has played in their lives. That's all on this episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast. Email – Gaffney.shayne@gmail.comPhone – (978) 604-5543LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayne-gaffney-19011914a/ Easter Seals of New Hampshire - https://www.easterseals.com/nh/ National CMV Foundation - https://www.nationalcmv.org Website – https://www.nowiknowcmv.com Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad

Our guest this week is Doug Robb of Long Valley, NJ the father of five including two with Autism, a financial advisor and co-founder of Seat At The Table Foundation, a non-profit organization.Doug and his wife, Dara, have been married for 28 years and are the proud parents of five children; Taylor (27), Dougie (25), Jackson (22), Peyton (21), and Mia (19). Dougie and Jackson are both on the Autism spectrum. We’ll learn about Doug's background, growing up in NJ, his interest in football with a brief brush with the NFL, his career in financial services, as well as the ups and downs of raising five children, including two with Autism. We also learn about their deep faith and commitment to their marriage and family as well as the vision they have for the Seat At The Table Foundation, a non-profit to serve those with different abilities. It’s a uplifting as well as insightful story and one we’ll hear this week on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Facebook Page - https://m.facebook.com/A-Seat-at-t

Our guest this week is Sarah Putt of Seattle, WA, the mother of young child, the founder and clinical director of Sarah Bryan Therapy, and Creator/Host of the OT 4 Lyfe Podcast, dedicated to promoting and bringing awareness to the field of occupational therapy. We’ll learn about Sarah's background with degrees in psychology from Pepperdine University and masters in occupational therapy from University of Southern California, which prepared her for a career as an occupational therapist. We also learn about her role as a leader in the OT field, which includes mentoring younger OTs and hosting the OT4Lyfe Podcast, now with more than 100 episodes. It’s a uplifting as well as insightful story and one we’ll hear this week on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahputt/Email - sarah@ot4lyfe.comSarah Bryan Therapy – https://sarahbryantherapy.com OT4Lyfe Website - https://ot4lyfe.com Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers ra

Our guest this week is Chris Velona of North Los Angeles, CA. Chris and his x-wife, Teresa, are the proud parents of two boys; Gage (16) and Sebastian (18), who was diagnosed with Batten Disease CLN8, a rare neurodegenerative disorder. We’ll learn about Chris' journey, which includes his own battle with alcoholism, shouldering the Batten Disease diagnosis, and creating Project Sebastian, a non-profit to support families touched by Batten Disease and rare disease. We also learn about a number of organizations that have played an influential role in their lives, including: Charlotte & Gwyneth Gray Foundation, the Batten Disease Support & Research Association, and Sebastian Velona Foundation, started by Teresa Fox, Sebastian's mom. It’s a fascinating story and one we’ll hear this week on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervelona/ Email- Info@projectsebastian.org Project Sebastian – https://www.projectsebastian.org Phone – (661) 414-4856Ch

Our guest this week is Justin DeVault of Algonquin, IL. Justin and his wife, Margaret, have been married for 17 years and are the proud parents of three; Hazel (3), Alice (5) and Henry (13). Hazel was diagnosed with Autism and Henry had a brain stroke shortly after birth, that lead to the loss of his sight and has impaired his neurological development. We’ll learn about Justin's journey, which included a sister with special needs and who is legally blind, teaching in a Montessori School, the full range of challenges their children have encountered and a number of organizations that have played an influential role in their lives, including: Dream Riders TLC, Clearbrook Arlington Heights, Duke University Cord Blood Bank and Thumbuddy Special. It’s a fascinating story and one we’ll hear this week on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-devault-373043b9/ Email – pasteboardmask@gmail.com Dream Riders TLC - https://www.dreamriderstlc.com Clearbrook Arling

Our guest this week is Mike Graglia of Palo Alto, CA. Mike and his wife, Ashley, are parents to two boys John (3) and Tony (8) who was diagnosed with SynGap 1, a rare genetic disorder. We’ll learn about Mike's eclectic career including being a Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia, as well as working at: the World Bank, Boston Consulting Group, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, New America, and Emerson Collective before jumping in full-time at the SynGAP Research Fund in a quest to find treatments and a cure for those who diagnosed with SynGap1. It’s a fascinating story and one we’ll hear this week on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Website – https://www.syngapresearchfund.org SynGAP 10 Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/syngap10-weekly-10-minute-updates-on-syngap1-video/id1560389818 Email – mike@syngapresearchfund.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/graglia/ Evans/Graglia YouTube Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLO2hsAi4-M&t=

Our guest this week is Riana Milne of Del Rey Beach, FL, who is a mother of two, grandmother of six, a licensed mental health counselor with decades of experience, a global life & love coach, childhood and love trauma recovery specialist, bestselling author and fellow podcast host. Riana has a BA in Broadcasting & Speech Communications from Penn State University, and a MA in Applied Clinical & Counseling Psychology from Rowan University, NJ, plus a dozen certificates and licenses, including; Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Addictions Professional and Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor.She is also a best selling author including the books: - Live Beyond Your Dreams-Love Beyond Your DreamsRiana also hosts the Lessons In Life & Love Podcast, with well over 100 episodes. Riana offers sage advice for moms and dads for themselves and their relationships as well as those seeking help for their sons/daughters and other loved ones. Website - https://rianamilne.com > E-book and 4

Our guest this week is Catherine Whitchter of Milwaukee, WI a mother two daughters, one of whom has Epilepsy. Catherine is also one the country’s most well-respected experts on IEPs or Individual Education Plans. She is also a podcast host and has created the Master IEP Coach program. We’ll learn about her career as a Special Education teacher, growing up with a younger brother with Down syndrome and hear some sage advice on how to create win-win strategies to help your child succeed. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links:Website - https://catherinewhitcher.mykajabi.com Email – catherine@catherinewhitcher.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinewhitcher/ Special Education Inner Circle Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-education-inner-circle/id1484686234website: https://www.masteriepcoach.comSpecial Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Father

Our guest this week is Duncan Keya of Nairobi, Kenya, the father of four children and a Designated Migration Officer at the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi. Duncan and his wife, wife, Faith, have been married for six years and are the proud parents of four children: Luka (5), who has Autism, Khalayi (2) who has Albinism and two other children: Keith (13) and Kaylee (6) from his first marriage. Duncan has become an outspoken advocate for families raising children with all types of special healthcare needs and has helped start the SFN Nairobi Dads Meetup Group. It's a very compelling story all here on the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast. Kenya Autism Alliance - http://www.kenyaautismalliance.org Albinism Society of Kenya Website – https://albinismsocietyofkenya.org/blog/blog-2/ Positive Exposures Kenya website - http://www.positiveexposure-kenya.orgEmail – duncan.keya@gmail.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-keya-03155729/ Andy Speaks - https://andy.or.ke Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to da

Our guest this week is William "Bill" Strickland, Jr. of Pittsburg, PA, a John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Genius Fellow, founder of Bidwell Training Center and Manchester Craftsman's Guild, an author, and a former pilot. Bill is the quintessential social entrepreneur. Through his love of the arts and specifically pottery, Bill has been offering welfare moms, out of work steel workers and at-risk youth vocational training in the arts and culinary worlds. Bill Strickland and his work offers new hope to displaced and underemployed workers around the country and we’re proud to have him be our guest for this 200th Special Father Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Personal website - http://www.bill-strickland.com/home.html Email - wstricklandjr@mcg-btc.org Website - https://www.manchesterbidwell.org TED Talk - https://www.ted.com/speakers/bill_strickland Harvard Video - https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/voices/events/strickland/ Book - Make the Impossible Possible - https://www.amazon.com/Make-Impossible-Possib

Our guest this week is Damion Navarro of Frankfort, IL, owner of NES Environmental, a father of three, including son Carter, who has Down Syndrome, and now a farmer! Damion and his wife, Sherri, are co-founders of Navarro Farm, a place to grow and employ people with all types of ability. We’ll hear Damion’s and the Navarro Farm story in this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Navarro Farm - https://www.navarrofarm.orgEmail – damion@navarrofarm.org LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/damion-navarro-31314160/ CBS Story - https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/08/13/navarro-farm-frankfort-illinois-special-needs/Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who under

Our guest this week is Jeremiah Kuria of Maaimahiu, Kenya, the father of three adult children and co-founder of Ubuntu Life, a Non-Governmental Organization and global lifestyle brand that provides economic security to hundreds of families raising children with special needs. Jeremiah reflects on his growing up in Escarpment, Kenya as the oldest of six children, the cultural differences, his paternal grandfather who was an assistant chief in their village, working in a children's home in Kenya, and going to school, working and living in Grand Rapids, MI for eight years.Jeremiah also reflects on the chance encounter in he had in 2000 with Zane Wilemon, a Texas pastor doing missionary work in Kenya and how that friendship led to the creation of Ubuntu Life, a NGO and global lifestyle brand providing economic security to hundreds of families raising children with special needs. It's an enlightening and inspiring story about serving the poorest of the poor and providing meaningful employment to those willing to

Our guest this week is Josh LaBelle, Executive Director of the Seattle Theatre Group, a former drummer for musicians Sam Phillips and T Bone Burnett and a father of two including son Levi (8) who has extreme ADHD and speech issues.We’ll hear Josh’s story including his own challenges with Epilepsy and how the Seattle Theatre Group runs a program to provide theatre that caters to families raising children with special needs. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links:Seattle Theater Group https://www.STGPresents.orgEmail Josh: JoshL@stgpresents.orgSpecial Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was goin

Our guest this week is Spela Mirosovic. who is a psychotherapist and biopsychologist, working as a researcher at the Medical University Ljubljana. Her work is focused on exploring unmet needs of cancer survivors and teaching mindfulness programs. Spela is also a mother to 2-year-old Urban who was diagnosed with CTNNB1, a rare autosomal genetic disorder that affects an estimated 1 out of 50,000 children worldwide. Spela is also co-founded and president of the CTNNB1 Foundation created to help find a cure for this debilitating syndrome. We’ll hear Spela’s story and much more on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Website – https://ctnnb1-foundation.org Email – spela@ctnnb1-foundation.org LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spelakrizanec/ Cure CTNNB1 website - https://www.curectnnb1.org Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wis

Our guest this week is Susanna Peace-Lovell, a single mother, certified life coach and advocate for the health and wellness of all special needs families. Susanna's daughter, Arizona, has ADHD, Eczema, severe food allergies, sensory and auditory processing disorders as well as Autism. We’ll hear Susanna’s story, her work as a life coach and her dedication to serve families raising children with special healthcare needs. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links:Email - susanna@susannapeacelovell.com LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannapeace/ Website - https://www.susannapeacelovell.com Cheerful Helpers Child & Family Study Center - https://www.cheerfulhelpers.org The Children’s Ranch - http://www.thechildrensranch.org Social Foundations LA - https://www.socialfoundationsla.com We Are Brave Together - https://www.wearebravetogether.comSpecial Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500

Our guest this week is Al Freedman of West Chester, PA a Psychologist who specializes in counseling families touched by rare disease and disability. Al is a divorced father of two adult children; Cara (21) and Jack (26), who had Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare neuromuscular disorder, leaving him wheel chair and ventilator dependent. David Hirsch recorded this interview with Al in August, 2021, but ivery sadly, Jack passed away in October at age 26. So, David spoke again with Al this week to have Al reflect on the impact Jack had on him, those he met and beyond. We’ll hear the original conversation then we’ll hear the follow-up, recorded just a few days ago, on March 23rd 2022. Jack Freedman has shined a positive light on everyone he met. We’ll hear about that light and we’ll feel that light in this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Show Links:Cure SMA - https://www.curesma.orgThe Muscular Dystrophy Association - https://www.mda.orgMake A Wish Foundation - https://wish.orgThe DuPont Hos

Our guest this week is Miguel Sancho, of Larchmont, NY a journalist and an Emmy award winning TV producer. Miguel and his wife, Felicia Morton, have been married for 16 years and are the proud parents of two; Lydia (13) and Sebastian (9), who was diagnosed with CGD, Chronic Granulomatous Disease, a rare genetic disorder in which white blood cells called phagocytes are unable to kill certain types of bacteria and fungi. People with CGD are constantly at risk of developing bacterial and fungal diseases that can be life-threatening.Miguel is also the author of: More Thank You Can Handle: A Rare Disease, A Family In Crisis, And The Cutting-Edge Medicine That Cured The Incurable. Miguel is a gifted story teller and he shares his family's chaotic, exhausting, funny, heartbreaking nerve-racking journey in a very authentic way. It's an enlightening and illuminating story all on this SFN Dad To Dad Podcast. Links: More Thank You Can Handle: A Rare Disease, A Family In Crisis, And The Cutting-Edge Medicine That Cur