The straight-talking parenting podcast in which we shine a light on the particular highs and lows of raising disabled children, acknowledge our triumphs and our mistakes and embrace all of our beautiful differences.
Because really, what the f**k is normal anyway?!
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EPISODE 10 - Bridging the gap
In this episode Lauren and Rina discuss neurodiversity and how we want the world to evolve, with the team behind the play ‘Just be Normal’ - Connor Pearce and sister's Emma and Sophie Jackson. The conversation includes a beautiful monologue performance from the play by Sophie, as well as each guest sharing their own personal experiences and their hopes and wishes for a more accepting and accessible world.
EPISODE 9 - Undiagnosed, unseen and unheard, with jazz manley
In this episode, Rina and Lauren talk with Jazz Manley about her experience of searching for answers and a diagnosis for her son Max. Jazz is very open about her own vulnerability and mental health struggles. She discusses her son’s difficult birth and the challenges she faced when he was young, when her concerns surrounding her son were not shared by others and she felt unheard.
EPISODE 8 - DUALLING NEURODIVERSITY WITH BRYONY KIMMINGS
In the first episode of our new series Lauren and Rina speak to performer and writer Bryony Kimmings. Bryony's son Frank is autistic and two years ago, she was also diagnosed with ADHD. They talk about Bryony’s parenting approach, discovering your own neurodiversity and how to balance a neurodiverse family with sometimes conflicting needs and wants. With her characteristic candour and wicked humour, Bryony describes how much she has learnt about herself and in doing so, how she has become a better parent to Frank as she drives to create their own neurodivergent utopia in their crumbling old country home.
Episode 7 - Acceptance
It’s our series 1 finale and time to turn the tables on our hosts, Lauren and Rina are interviewed by our first ever podcast guest, the wonderful Genevieve. They discuss their experiences of pregnancy, birth and diagnosis with some key moments of acceptance, internal and external influences that helped, from language to being kinder to oneself, modifying parenting expectations and learning to not give a shit about what others’ think.
Episode 6 - Couple Relationships
In Episode 6, we discuss Couples Relationships, with Clare and George, who are parents to Ada and Ivo and the impact that having a disabled child has on their relationship.
An eye-opening, heart-warming and hilarious account of this fabulous couple’s story. Covering everything from finding out you’re pregnant after the second date, moving in together after three months, to being told your child’s autism diagnosis, whilst pregnant with your second child.
Hello from your Hosts
A quick hello from our hosts to say thank you and remind you how to connect with us.
We want this podcast to be about connection and building community. So please get in touch with your feedback and ideas. Please tell us what you want to hear from us... Or answer the question we have posed - "What's your F**king Normal?" and share with us any unconventional, unique, beautiful or humorous examples of your daily parenting experience.
Episode 5 - Advocacy
In episode 5 Lauren and Rina talk about a skill we have all had to develop as parents of disabled children – advocacy - with Mum of two and lawyer Caroline MacPake (Withers professionally).
Systems of support aren’t always automatically in place for disabled children and their families, and the world simply has not been designed for disabled people. As parents of disabled children, we have to champion, persuade and shout loudly on our kids behalf.