Dad to Dad Podcast

Our guest this week is Paul Carroll, of Situate, RI who is senior HR director at CVS Health, founder of Autism Dadvocate and father of an Autistic son.

Paul and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 20 years and are the proud parents of Vaughan(16) who is Autistic.

Professionally, Paul is an Executive Director of Talent Manager at CVS Health.

Informed by being a father to a neurodiverse child and guided by his faith, Paul has been called to create AutismDadvocate.org, a non-profit an online support forum for dads with children with autism and about the commonalities we all face as fathers. They host a blog, a podcast and workshops.

That's all on this episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.

Show Links:
Email – Paul.Carroll@CVSHealth.com
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-carroll-autismdadvocate/
Website - https://www.autismdadvocate.org/
Podcast - https://www.autismdadvocate.org/podcast

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

SFN Dads Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Our guest this week is Nate Boltz of Anchorage, AK who is executive director at Challenge Alaska and father of two, including one with Spina Bifida.

Nate and his wife, Leah, have been married for 20 years and are the proud parents of two: Adeline (5) and Anna (16) who has Spina Bifida.

Born in Bozeman, MT and raised in Fairbanks and Anchorage, Nate has always enjoyed the outdoors and athletics, including: skiing, hiking and endurance sports.

Challenge Alaska is a non-profit dedicated to adaptive athletics and therapeutic recreation. Leah is also co-founder of Parks for All, a non-profit that designs and builds playgrounds that emphasize accessibility and inclusion, which has spread across the state of Alaska.

We also learn about a range of other organizations, including: Equate Assist Therapy Alaska, Move United Association Therapeutics, Stay Focused and the National Ability Center.

It's an uplifting story about strong family values, a love of athletics, merged with inclusion, acceptance and service to the community all on this episode of the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links
Email – Nate@challengealaska.org
Website - https://www.challengealaska.org/
Phone – 907-344-7399
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-boltz-11a92137/
Parks For All – https://www.facebook.com/parksforall/
Stay Focused – https://stay-focused.org/
Move United - https://moveunitedsport.org/
Program for Infants and Children - https://www.picak.org/home

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

SFN Dads Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Our guest this week is Brady Murray of Salt Lake City, who is father to 11 children, a managing director at Capstone Partners a Mass Mutual General Agent, founder of RODS Heroes as well as the Special Abilities Network.

Brady and his wife, Andrea, have been married for 21 years and are the proud parents of 11 children. By age they are: Brinley (17), Nash (16), Ridge (13), Copper (11), Mason (8), Willow (6) and Olivia (5) and as this episode gets published the couple is in Columbia adopting four siblings: John (16), Jarrow (14), Sandra (15) and Roccio (10).

Both Nash and Cooper have Down Syndrome.

RODS Heroes is a non-profit organization with the mission to inspire families to adopt children with special needs or other unique circumstances. Over the last decade, RODS Heroes has inspired the adoption of 102 children (83 of whom have Down syndrome), providing them with loving forever homes. Through their advocacy and dedication, RODS Heroes aims to raise awareness and promote a positive perception of adoption of children with special abilities, ultimately transforming lives and communities.

The name RODS is an acronym for Racing for Orphans with Down Syndrome.

Within RODS Heroes, there is a special program entitled Cooper's Mission. Cooper (11) one of the Murrays with Down Syndrome is on a mission to help unite 30 orphaned children with Down syndrome or other unique circumstances with their forever family - one pitch at a time, by making appearances at 30 Major League Baseball games. Please consider donating to Cooper's Mission to receive a signed Cooper Murray Rookie Card.

The Special Abilities Network is a coalition of professionals comprised of financial, clinical, legal, and tax experts who work together as a team on your behalf. Every aspect of your special needs plan is developed and executed under the collective strategic guidance of your team members. They surround you and your family with expert support at every step of the journey.

That's all on this episode or the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.

Show Links -
Email – brady@rods.org
Website - https://rods.org/
Website - https://specialabilitiesnetwork.com/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradymurraycfp/
Instagram – #bradymurray21
Instagram - #RODSHeroes

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

SFN Dads Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Our guest this week is Rob Billerbeck of Lakewood, CO who works for the National Park Service in Colorado.

Rob and his wife, Sarah, have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of three children; a daughter, a son who has Down Syndrome and a third who is non-binary.

Rob reflects on being the 9th of nine children and the impact that losing a sister in a car accident and a brother to suicide. Rob also reflects on the challenges they have encountered as parents, the organizations that played an influential role and very humbly, how his children have been his greatest teacher.

That's all on this episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.

Links -
Email – billerbeckrob@gmail.com
Global Down Syndrome Foundation - https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/
Mile High Down Syndrome Association - http://www.mhdsa.org/
The ARC of Colorado – https://thearcofco.org/about/

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

SFN Dads Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Our guest this week is Father Medard Laz of Ft. Lauderdale, FL a retired Catholic priest for the Archdioscese of Chicago, founding pastor of Holy Family Church in Inverness Illinois, the author of nine books and a serial social entrepreneur.

His achievements are many; so many in fact, that we’re presenting his conversation with David Hirsch in two parts. This week in part 2, we’ll hear about Father Laz’s not for profit ventures, his many books and more.

Father Med is the founder of many non-profits, including:

• Rainbows For All Children
• Joyful Again
• Treats For The Soul
• Hearts For Humanity
• Angels in Action -

He is also the author of nine books including:

• Love Adds A Little Chocolate (1998)
• Life After Divorce (1998)
• Coping When Your Spouse Dies (1998)
• The Gathering: Jesus And Abortion A Story For Our Time (2020)
• Spiritual Guidance for Separated & Divorced
• Six Levels Of A Happy Marriage
• Lift Up My Spirit Lord
• After Your Loved One Dies

That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast.

Show Notes -
Email – medardlaz@aol.com
Rainbows For All Children – https://rainbows.org/
Joyful Again - https://joyfulagain.org/
Treats For The Soul - https://www.treatsforthesoul.org/
Hearts For Humanity – https://heartsforhumanity.org/
Angels in Action - http://angelsinactionusa.org/

Books –
Love Adds A Little Chocolate (1998) - https://www.amazon.com/Love-Adds-Little-Chocolate-Brighten/dp/0446524247/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547912876&sr=8-1&keywords=love+adds+a+little+chocolate

Life After Divorce (1998) - https://www.amazon.com/Life-After-Divorce-Practical-Guidance/dp/0764801910/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1547913003&sr=8-2&keywords=life+after+the+divorce+medard+laz

Coping When Your Spouse Dies (1998) - https://www.amazon.com/Coping-When-Your-Spouse-Dies/dp/0764802267/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1692142989&refinements=p_27%3AMedard+Laz&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Medard+Laz

The Gathering: Jesus And Abortion A Story For Our Time (2020) - https://www.amazon.com/GATHERING-Jesus-Abortion-Story-Time/dp/B08BDSDQ5L/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Spiritual Guidance for Separated & Divorced - https://www.treatsforthesoul.org/wp-content/uploads/SPIRITUAL-GUIDANCE-FOR-SEPARATED-DIVORCED.pdf

Six Levels Of A Happy Marriage – https://www.treatsforthesoul.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SIX-LEVELS-OF-A-HAPPY-MARRAGE.pdf

Lift Up My Spirit Lord – https://www.treatsforthesoul.org/wp-content/uploads/Lift-Up-My-Spirit-Lord.pdf

After Your Loved One Dies - https://www.treatsforthesoul.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/AFTER-YOUR-LOVED-ONE-DIES.pdf

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

SFN Dads Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Our guest this week is Father Medard Laz of Ft. Lauderdale, FL a retired Catholic priest for the Archdioscese of Chicago, founding pastor of Holy Family Church in Inverness Illinois, the author of nine books and a serial social entrepreneur.

His achievements are many; so many in fact, that we’re presenting his conversation with David Hirsch in two parts. In this first installment we’ll hear about his home life growing up and the beginnings of a spiritual journey to help those in need.

Father Med is the founder of many non-profits, including:

• Rainbows For All Children
• Joyful Again
• Treats For The Soul
• Hearts For Humanity
• Angels in Action -

He is also the author of nine books including:

• Love Adds A Little Chocolate (1998)
• Life After Divorce (1998)
• Coping When Your Spouse Dies (1998)
• The Gathering: Jesus And Abortion A Story For Our Time (2020)
• Spiritual Guidance for Separated & Divorced
• Six Levels Of A Happy Marriage
• Lift Up My Spirit Lord
• After Your Loved One Dies

That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast.

Show Notes -
Email – medardlaz@aol.com
Rainbows For All Children – https://rainbows.org/
Joyful Again - https://joyfulagain.org/
Treats For The Soul - https://www.treatsforthesoul.org/
Hearts For Humanity – https://heartsforhumanity.org/
Angels in Action - http://angelsinactionusa.org/

Books –
Love Adds A Little Chocolate (1998) - https://www.amazon.com/Love-Adds-Little-Chocolate-Brighten/dp/0446524247/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547912876&sr=8-1&keywords=love+adds+a+little+chocolate

Life After Divorce (1998) - https://www.amazon.com/Life-After-Divorce-Practical-Guidance/dp/0764801910/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1547913003&sr=8-2&keywords=life+after+the+divorce+medard+laz

Coping When Your Spouse Dies (1998) - https://www.amazon.com/Coping-When-Your-Spouse-Dies/dp/0764802267/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1692142989&refinements=p_27%3AMedard+Laz&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Medard+Laz

The Gathering: Jesus And Abortion A Story For Our Time (2020) - https://www.amazon.com/GATHERING-Jesus-Abortion-Story-Time/dp/B08BDSDQ5L/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Spiritual Guidance for Separated & Divorced - https://www.treatsforthesoul.org/wp-content/uploads/SPIRITUAL-GUIDANCE-FOR-SEPARATED-DIVORCED.pdf

Six Levels Of A Happy Marriage – https://www.treatsforthesoul.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SIX-LEVELS-OF-A-HAPPY-MARRAGE.pdf

Lift Up My Spirit Lord – https://www.treatsforthesoul.org/wp-content/uploads/Lift-Up-My-Spirit-Lord.pdf

After Your Loved One Dies - https://www.treatsforthesoul.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/AFTER-YOUR-LOVED-ONE-DIES.pdf

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

SFN Dads Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Our guest this week is Eric Swithin of Florence, AL a retired U.S. Marine, a former youth pastor, now founder and executive director of Outdoor Adventures as well as The Alliance For Ending The Fatherless Epidemic.

Eric and his wife, Kameron, have been married for 14 years and are the proud parents of two children: Mason (6) and McKinzie (4).

After some formative years in the U.S. Marines and serving as a youth pastor, Eric has found his calling: to end the fatherless epidemic through mentorship.

Eric is the founder and executive director of Outdoor Adventures and creator of the film “Fatherless Epidemic.” Eric works with youth, many who are fatherless, and through Biblical based teaching and experiences, empowers them to chart a new path for themselves and serve as leaders in their families and the community at-large.

We’ll hear Eric’s story on this episode of the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast.

Show Links -
Email – eric@outdooradventures.club
Website- http://www.fatherlessepidemic.org/
Website – http://www.outdooradventures.org/
Documentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmkgiCepzTE&t=7s
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-swithin-10a2aa23/

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

SFN Dads Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Our guest this week is Eric Jorgensen of Frederick, MD a retired Navy veteran, widower, founder of True North Disability Planning, cancer survivor and father of two, including a son with Autism.

Eric and his wife, Christine, were married for 12 years before, very sadly, she passed away in April 2012, after a short battle with HLH (Hemophagocytic Lympho Histiocystosis), a rare autoimmune disease. They are the proud parents of two; including William (23), who has Autism, is non-verbal with learning & intellectual disabilities, and mental health challenges.

Eric reflects on his 20+ years in the Navy and work aboard submarines as well as his more recent battle with cancer. He also talks about his frustration navigating the world of disability resources that lead to creating Spectrum Needs Navigator, which starting in 2020 lead to creating True North Disability Planning, a company whose mission is: to make Disability Planning accessible to all.

Eric also publishes a weekly newsletter entitled: Waypoints and is the host of the ABCs of Disability Planning podcast.

We’ll hear Eric’s story and how he found his calling to help families invest in their future. That’s all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad podcast.

Show Notes -
Email – eric@specialneedsnavigator.us
Website - https://truenorthdisabilityplanning.com/
Podcast – https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abcs-disability-planning
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-jorgensen-true-north-disability-planning/
The Arc of Montgomery County -https://thearcmontgomerycounty.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 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 going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

SFN Dads Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Our guest this week is Tony Brescia of West Dundee, IL who owns a Hallmark store, is the father of two including a son with Tuberous Sclerosis, and more recently is raising funds to create Project ALEX Communities, a unique residential community for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Tony and his wife, Joelle, have been married for 34 years and are the proud parents of two boys: Jason (28) and Alex (32) who was born with Tuberous Sclerosis, a rare genetic disease that causes non-cancerous (benign) tumors to grow in the brain and several areas of the body, including the spinal cord, nerves, eyes, lung, heart, kidneys, and skin.

Tony owns the Joelle's Hallmark Shop in Clarendon Hills. Joelle and Tony also have a vision for building Project ALEX Communities. ALEX stands for Adult, Living EXperience and the mission is "establishing a safe (residential) living environment and create a community atmosphere for adults with intellectual / developmental disabilities and individuals without disabilities."

We also learn about the role the Tubular Sclerosis Association, Canine Companions for Independence of Greater Chicagoland and Ten Pin Bowlers Special Olympics Bowling have played in Alex's life.

Tony also talks passionately about the role the SFN Mastermind Group has played in his life and being among a small group of like-minded special needs dads who meet on a weekly basis for fellowship and camaraderie.

It's a touching and uplifting story about faith and family all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links:
Email – tbrescia@earthlink.net
Website - https://projalex.org/
Website – http://www.joelleshallmark.com/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-brescia-3302875/
Tubular Sclerosis Association - https://tuberous-sclerosis.org/
Canine Companions for Independence - https://canine.org/
SFN Dads Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Our guest this week is Jeff Zaugg of Minneapolis, MN, a former pastor of family ministries, a fatherhood advocate and host of the DadAwesome Podcast.

Jeff and his wife, Michelle, have been married for 17 years and are the proud parents of four daughters: Kiva (9), Ruthie (6), Raya (4) and Zara (2).

Jeff has been an outspoken advocate for fathers and is founder of Fathers for the Fatherless, a non-profit dedicated to: activate dads to lead with wonder—building intentional connection with their kids while experiencing God’s awesomeness together.

Jeff is also the host of the DadAwesome Podcast now with nearly 300 episodes. In fact he interviewed David Hirsch, 21CD founder and host of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast. Here is a link to that interview episdoe #274: https://www.dadawesome.org/blog/274-2

We also learn about the Zaugg family RV travels (yes all six of them) all over the U.S. the past two years.

It's a touching and uplifting story all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links:
Email – jeff@dadawesome.org
Website – https://dadawesome.org/
Website – http://www.venture.org/
Website - https://www.thereelhopeproject.org/about-us/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffzaugg/
Instagram: @dadawesome @fatherforthefatherless
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dadawesomepodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dadAWESOMEpod
DadAwesome Podcast Episode #101 - Just Another Day In Paradise - Jeff Zaugg Remembers his Dad Chuck https://dadawesome.org/101-2/

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Our guest this week is Dan Redfield of Anchorage, AK who is an Emmy nominated filmmaker and the father of three children.

Dan and his wife, Kristen, have been married for two years and are proud parents of three children; Henry (8 mo.), Reagan (3) and Ava, who very sadly passed away in November 2021 at age six, after suffering from Infantile Tay-Sachs, a rare inherited genetic disease.

We’ll hear how Dan developed a passion for film making and how that led to the creation of the PBS documentary film 'Granted,' which led to creating short documentary films for other families touched by disabiltiy, in the name of Adventures for Ava, a non-profit dedicated to helping families with special needs capture memories.

That’s all on this episode of the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Notes -
Email – dan@danredfield.com
Website – https://www.danredfield.com/
Website – https://www.avasstory.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danredfield/
Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation - https://www.curetay-sachs.org/
National Tay-Sachs & Allied Disease Foundation - https://ntsad.org/ Granted:
A Wish Story (Ava’s Make-A-Wish Journey) – min 52:10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTKo7Li2Gv0

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Our guest this week is Krista Mason, of Holland, Michigan, a Christian, wife and mother.

Krista and her husband, David have been married for 32 years and are the proud parent of two boys: James (29) and Benjamin (27), who has Autism and developmental delays.

Krista is also the co-founder of Benjamin’s Hope, a live, learn, play, worship farmstead community where people of all abilities are transformed by the love Christ.

The Ben's Hope Way: Committed to loving God and others,we fiercely respect the dignity intelligence and value of all humans. We are creative, courageous and committed to excellence. Through the love of Christ we live the abundant life together

We’ll hear the story of Benjamin’s Hope and more on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. It’s a fascinating conversation, one which you are sure to enjoy.

Show Notes -
Email – k.mason@benjaminshope.net
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-mason-90a804b/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/benjaminshope
Website – https://www.benjaminshope.net/

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Our guest this week is Siggi Thosseinn-Gudmundson of Akranes, Iceland who is a healthcare professional and father of five including four with special needs.

Siggi and his wife, Fridur, have known each other since they were 15 years of age and have been married for 8 years. They are the proud parents of five children: Sittimfia (7), who has ADHD, Gudmuntuk (12), who is Autistic and non-verbal, Kolbrun (14) who has Prader-Willi Syndrome and Autism, and Matthias (16) who has Autism. Very sadly they lost your first child, Oscar, at 24 weeks gestation more than 15 years ago.

We’ll hear how Siggi and Fridur have perseverd the loss of a child and embraced being parents to children with a wide range of special healthcare needs. We also learn how Siggi has struggled balancing family and work along with a limited amount of formal education. What Siggi may lack from an academic perspective, he more than makes up with his commitment to family and being present: physically, emotionally and spiritually for his wife and children.

It's an uplifting and powerful story on this week's episode of the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links -
Email – Fridursiggi@gmail.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fridursiggi


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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Our guest this week is Hutch Matteson of Cumming, GA a pastor for 37 years and more recently the founder of The Pier Center Foundation, opening doors for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Hutch and his wife, Cindy, are the proud parents of four children; Julia (26), Jenna (28), Jonathan (30) and Josh (33), who has Down Syndrome.

We’ll hear about the poor advice the Mattesons received shortly after Josh's birth about all the things Josh would be unable to do. We learn about the supporting organizations that Josh benefited from, including: High Hope Early Intervention, Special Olympics, and their GA-based church, to name a few.

We also learn about how the Matteson family experience informed and inspired them in 2011 to create The Pier Foundation which has been opening doors of opportunity for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, including life & job skills training, and even some jobs, which provides these adults with different abilities a genuine sense of purpose, fulfillment, dignity and respect.

The most recent endeavor of The Pier Center Foundation is the creation of Ellie Mae Sweet Treats a dog treat business, started during COVID.

It's an uplifting and powerful story on this week's episode of the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links -
Email – hutch@pierfoundation.org
LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/hutch-matteson
Facebook - http://facebook.com/hutch.matteson
Website – https://www.pierfoundation.org
Website - Elliemaesweettreats.com
YouTube – http://youtube.com/c/OneThingforMen/videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YA1FRvz6q4

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Our guest this week is Adam Terry of Nashville, TN who is the director of business analytics at Adhere Health in Nashville.

Adam and his wife Catherine have been married for 18 years and are the rpuod parents of three children; Brooks (6), Callie (9) and Will (12), who has Noonan Syndrome, a genetic condition that stops typical development in various parts of the body.

More recently Will suffered a traumatic brain injury.

We’ll hear the Terry family story, including how their faith has helped them cope with Will’s injury.

That’s all in this episode of the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links -
Email – terryad70@hotmail.com
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-terry-a8692626/
Vanderbilt Children’s CHAMPions Tri My Best video - https://vimeo.com/821419152?share=copy
Noonan Syndrome Foundation - https://www.teamnoonan.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 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 going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Our guest this week is Frank McKinney of Delray Beach, FL a father, real estate artist, eight time best-selling author, philanthro-capitalist & 12 time badwater135 ultramarathon competitor.

This is part two of a two part interview. In last week’s episode we heard Frank talk about the first of his his five aspirations, the importance of family. In part two we’ll hear more about Frank’s other four aspirations, the role of faith and much more.

Frank and his wife Nilsa have been married for 33 years and are the proud parents of Laura (24). Professionally, Frank has built and renovated 44 ocean-front mansions with an average selling price of $44M. He is known as a real artist with a flair for creating these one of a kind master pieces and for the way he markets them.

Frank is also the best-selling author of eight books in 5 different genres. In reverse chronologicle order they are:

• Adversitology: Overcoming Adversity When You’re Hanging On By A Thread (March 2023)
• Aspire: How To Create Your Own Reality And Alter Your DNA (November 2021)
• The Other Thief: A Collision Of Love, Flesh & Faith (September 2018)
• The Tap (February 2009)
• Dead Fred, Flying Lunchboxes And The Good Luck Circle (January 2009)
• Burst This!: Frank McKinney’s Bubble Proof Real Estate Strategies (February 2009)
• Frank McKinney’s Maverick Approach To Real Estate Success: How You Can Go From A $50,000 Fixer-Upper To A $100M Mansion (April 2006)
• Make It Big: 49 Secrets For Building A Life Of Extreme Success (January 2002)

Frank is also a self described philanthro-capitalist and co-founder of the Caring House Project, a 501c3 non-profit organization, which has built 30 self-sustaining villages serving 13K children and their families in Haiti over the past 20 years. Each of the villages has 50 homes, a daycare center, community center, school, clinic and church.

On a personal level Frank is a runner and has competed in a number of races including 12 Badwater135 ultramarathons, finishing seven times. The Badwater135, which takes place annually in July in the scorching summer heat in Death Valley, CA is described by National Geographic as ‘the world’s toughest footrace.’

Also, in 2020 Frank was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), which was a near death experience. One of the techniques Frank used to overcome this life threating disease was to disidentify it.

While Frank is not a parent of a child with special needs, he has a lot to offer parents and specifically dads on how to overcome adversity.

It’s a fascinating story and it’s here on this week’s episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.

Show Links –
Email – frank@frank-mckinney.com
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-mckinney-b4a14332/
Website – https://www.frank-mckinney.com/

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Our guest this week is Frank McKinney of Delray Beach, FL a father, real estate artist, eight time best-selling author, philanthro-capitalist & 12 time badwater135 ultramarathon competitor.

Frank and his wife Nilsa have been married for 33 years and are the proud parents of Laura (24). Professionally, Frank has built and renovated 44 ocean-front mansions with an average selling price of $44M. He is known as a real artist with a flair for creating these one of a kind master pieces and for the way he markets them.

Frank is also the best-selling author of eight books in 5 different genres. In reverse chronologicle order they are:

• Adversitology: Overcoming Adversity When You’re Hanging On By A Thread (March 2023)
• Aspire: How To Create Your Own Reality And Alter Your DNA (November 2021)
• The Other Thief: A Collision Of Love, Flesh & Faith (September 2018)
• The Tap (February 2009)
• Dead Fred, Flying Lunchboxes And The Good Luck Circle (January 2009)
• Burst This!: Frank McKinney’s Bubble Proof Real Estate Strategies (February 2009)
• Frank McKinney’s Maverick Approach To Real Estate Success: How You Can Go From A $50,000 Fixer-Upper To A $100M Mansion (April 2006)
• Make It Big: 49 Secrets For Building A Life Of Extreme Success (January 2002)

Frank is also a self described philanthro-capitalist and co-founder of the Caring House Project, a 501c3 non-profit organization, which has built 30 self-sustaining villages serving 13K children and their families in Haiti over the past 20 years. Each of the villages has 50 homes, a daycare center, community center, school, clinic and church.

On a personal level Frank is a runner and has competed in a number of races including 12 Badwater135 ultramarathons, finishing seven times. The Badwater135, which takes place annually in July in the scorching summer heat in Death Valley, CA is described by National Geographic as ‘the world’s toughest footrace.’

Also, in 2020 Frank was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), which was a near death experience. One of the techniques Frank used to overcome this life threating disease was to disidentify it.

While Frank is not a parent of a child with special needs, he has a lot to offer parents and specifically dads on how to overcome adversity.

It’s a fascinating story and it’s here on this week’s episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.

Show Links –
Email – frank@frank-mckinney.com
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-mckinney-b4a14332/
Website – https://www.frank-mckinney.com/

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Our guest this week is Ryan Wolfe of Canton, OH, who is a minister as well president and executive director of Ability Ministry, founded in 1983, an independent Christian nonprofit that provides resources, curriculum, training, and residential services designed to equip and empower the disability community..

Ryan and his wife Melissa have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of two children, Rocco (16) and Zoey (14) who is dislexia.

We’ll hear all about Ryan and his work on this week’s Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links -
Email – ryan@ccdmonline.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-wolfe-a121021a/
Website – https://abilityministry.com/
Disabililty is Beautiful - https://disabilityisbeautiful.comFacebook Page https://www.facebook.com/AbilityMinistry/
YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AbilityMinistry?app=desktop
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/abilityministry/?hl=en

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Our guest this week is Ben Mattlin of Los Angeles, CA a disability advocate, an author, educator and writer.

Ben was born in New York City in 1962 with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a congenital muscle weakness. He attended the Walden School, Rudolf Steiner High School, and Harvard University, graduating cum laude.

Ben and his wife, Mary, have been married for 34 years and are the proud parents of two adult daughters.

Ben is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to Financial Advisor magazine. His writings have appeared in the New York Times, LA Times, and The Washington Post, to name a few.

He is also the author of: three books Miracle Boy Grows Up (2012), In Sickness & In Health (2018), and Disability Pride: Dispatches From A post-ADA World. (2022)

Ben reflects on being mainstreamed educationally, his objections to being labeled and misrepresented by the National MDA as a youth and how he has gone on to live a full and rewarding life as a husband, father and being gainfully employed, despite being confined to a wheelchair.

It's a fascinating and uplifting interview, which we’ll hear on this week's episode of the Special Fathers Network Dad To Dad Podcast.

Show Links -
Email – benmattlin@gmail.com
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-mattlin-3b8b452/
Website - https://www.benmattlin.com/

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 understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/

Our guest this week is David Ross of Little Hampton, England.

David is a rare disease advocate for mens mental health. He plans and hosts valuable international support calls focused on men in the rare disease community. David also has a rare disease himself called Cowden Syndrome, a rare genetic inherited condition. People with Cowden syndrome often have many noncancerous, tumor-like growths. They may also have an increased risk of developing certain cancers. Experts estimate it affects 1 in 200,000 people. The condition often goes underdiagnosed because some healthcare providers may not recognize its symptoms.

David reflects on the relationship with his daughter and the importance of communicating with loved ones and friends as part of confronting the challenges associated with rare disease and one's own mortality, all on this week’s Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links -
Email – rarediseasedad@gmail.com
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ross-844965171/
Eurodis Rare Diseases Europe – https://www.edf-feph.org/our-members/eurordis-rare-diseases-europe/
PTEN UK & Ireland - https://ptenuki.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 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 going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...

Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Discover more about the Dads Honor Ride 2023 - https://21stcenturydads.org/2023-dads-honor-ride/