Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
Podcast Description
Stories, Hope, Healing and Help for Parents Navigating Illness and Healthcare with Their Children
*Top 15% Globally Ranked Podcast*
Katie Taylor has been a child life specialist for almost 15 years and has one mission: to ensure that any parent who has a child with medical needs has access to other parents who have walked through the path before.
With over 200+ diagnoses covered in this podcast, Katie interviews parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories in safe, supportive discussions with a child life specialist.
Navigating life with a child who is sick can feel isolating, and this podcast offers parents a sense of connection.
Hosted by Katie Taylor, a Certified Child Life Specialist who provides evidence-based, developmentally appropriate interventions to help promote positive coping with hospitalization and illness.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on various aspects of navigating pediatric healthcare, covering themes such as personal stories of resilience, advocacy, and emotional support. Episodes highlight topics like childhood cancers, rare diseases, NICU experiences, and specific conditions like juvenile arthritis and cystic fibrosis, offering insights into coping strategies and community connection.
Inside the Children’s Hospital shares real stories from parents, caregivers, and pediatric healthcare professionals navigating the emotional realities of caring for a hospitalized child with honesty, compassion, and hope.
What happens when a pediatric nurse practitioner suddenly finds herself on the other side of diagnosis?
On this week’s episode of Inside the Children’s Hospital, Katie Taylor sits down with Laura Forcella, a developmental pediatric nurse practitioner and mom to a son with Dup15q syndrome and epilepsy. Laura shares the deeply personal journey of recognizing her son’s infantile spasms, navigating a rare disease diagnosis, and balancing life as both a medical professional and a caregiver.
Laura opens up about the unique challenges of being a “med mom,” the emotional shift from provider to parent, and how her experiences have transformed the way she supports families in her own clinical practice. Together, Katie and Laura discuss the power of parental intuition, the importance of early intervention, building a village of support, and finding moments of joy amidst the complexities of caregiving.
Whether you’re a parent navigating a diagnosis, a healthcare professional supporting families, or someone looking for encouragement on a difficult journey, this conversation is filled with compassion, wisdom, and hope.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Laura’s path from pediatric ICU and ER nurse to developmental pediatric nurse practitioner
How she recognized the early signs of infantile spasms in her son
The diagnostic journey that led to a Dup15q syndrome diagnosis
What it’s like to care for patients while navigating your own child’s medical complexities
Why videos can be critical when seeking answers for concerning symptoms
The importance of trusting your instincts as a parent
How early intervention services can help while waiting for specialist appointments
The realities of balancing advocacy, caregiving, work, and self-care
Finding community through rare disease organizations and social media
How a child’s diagnosis can shape and strengthen a parent’s identity
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Laura:
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Instagram: @childlifeoncall + @insidethechildrenshospital
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Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your care team for guidance specific to your child and family.
Keywords: Infantile Spasms, Dupq15, Nurse Practitioner, Developmental Pediatrics, Seizures, Child Life Specialist, Support
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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