In this holiday-themed episode 16, we welcome Regan Reeder back to the podcast to discuss the complexities of celebrating the holidays with a medically fragile child. She recounts their many holiday experiences with her daughter, Myka, and covers practical tips for traveling with special medical needs while emphasizing the significance of emergency preparedness. Richie and Regan discuss family challenges, essential packing tips, dietary restrictions, and the importance of support from family and friends. The discussion touches on empathy, understanding, and the significance of creating joyful memories despite the challenges. If your goal is to be present and supportive with your family over the holidays, then you’ll be greatly encouraged by Regan’s words!
Regan Reeder is a co-founder of Pressing On and currently a K-12 Cyber Special Education Facilitator. She’s always an advocate for the outsider and on the lookout for helpful, inclusive practices, especially for those with special needs. As a medical momma who’s experienced her daughter’s long road to recovery from liver transplant, Regan’s passionate about resourcing other transplant families. She’ll be spending lots of time watching the Hallmark Channel here over the holidays and enjoying family time making memories with Richie, Alivia and Myka.
Links & Resources:
SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). https://cota.org
In Episode 15, Garret and Tara Welsh share about their journey of resilience as they faced the challenges of their son Theo's diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The conversation delves into their personal backgrounds, the emotional impact of the diagnosis, the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic, and the invaluable support they received from family and friends during this difficult time.
In this heartfelt conversation filled with faith, Garret and Tara share their journey through the challenges of their son Theo's birth and subsequent medical issues. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster of waiting for surgery, the importance of having a routine while navigating uncertainty, and the necessity of self-care during stressful times. In episode 15, don't miss the Welsh family's valuable insights for those dealing with a CDH diagnosis and traveling for healthcare!
Garret and Tara Welsh have been married for 11 years and they have 3 active boys: Bennet,
Theo and Zeke. Their family resides in Irwin, PA where Garret is a Union Carpenter and Tara has a background in healthcare. They’re very active at Reclamation Church and love spending time out on the lake.
SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). https://cota.org
In Episode 14, Charity and Mike McKinney share their heartfelt journey as parents navigating the challenges of pediatric transplant for their daughter Annabelle, who was born with propionic acidemia. They discuss their early struggles with infertility, the shock of Annabelle's diagnosis, and the emotional rollercoaster of hospital stays and medical decisions. You'll enjoy listening to the McKinneys celebrate Annabelle's growth and development post-transplant, emphasizing the importance of focusing on her strengths and embracing their unique family dynamics. They emphasize the importance of their faith throughout the conversation and the need for active involvement in their child's care. Mike and Charity discuss the balance between family life and caregiving, the significance of humor during tough times, and the necessity of preparing for the long-term challenges of a transplant journey.This southern couple from North Carolina will make you feel at home right away with their openness and vulnerable story. If you're a parent of a child with propionic acidemia or find yourself on the journey of transplant, you don't want to miss this episode!
Links & Resources:
SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). https://cota.org
In Episode 13 we welcome Jen Lau, a dedicated advocate and mother who shares her journey navigating the complexities of her son Nathan's diagnosis of biliary atresia. After Nathan's diagnosis, he underwent a life-saving liver transplant at nine months from a living donor. Jen recounts the logistical challenges her family faced, the emotional toll of the diagnosis and the critical role of community support. You’ll enjoy listening to Jen’s openness about the need for parental grace and she talks about their unique journey towards finding a living donor for Nathan's liver transplant.
This transformative experience ignited Jen’s passion for advocacy in pediatric liver disease and transplantation. She has since held leadership positions in several organizations, including the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) and the Starzl Network. In January 2022, she helped found BARE, Inc. (Biliary Atresia Research & Education) in order to support families affected by biliary atresia.
Jen combines her expertise in business management and human resources with her advocacy efforts, while she is also pursuing her Master’s in Public Health. She lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband and two children.
Links & Resources:
SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). https://cota.org
In Episode 12, we chat with transplant parent Sarah Vargas, whose daughter Rosie was born with a rare metabolic condition called Maple Syrup Urine Disease, a sometimes fatal condition in which the body is unable to process certain proteins. Sarah and her husband Tony have navigated two pediatric liver transplants for Rosie, relocating to Pittsburgh in 2015 for specialized care at Children’s Hospital.
Originally from California, Sarah holds a bachelor’s in marketing and an MBA. She’s also a former board member of Transplant Families, an organization that supports families on the transplant journey by providing inspiration, support, and education. Married for over 10 years, Sarah and Tony have three wonderful children.
Join us as Sarah shares her family’s inspiring journey, the challenges of relocating for Rosie’s care, the resilience it takes to persevere through multiple transplants and the importance of mental health before, during, and after transplant. You won’t want to miss it!
Links & Resources:
SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA).
In Episode 11, we’re privileged to welcome Dr. George Mazariegos, Chief of Pediatric Transplantation at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dr. Mazariegos has had the unique distinction of overseeing and participating in over 1,000 pediatric transplants throughout the years. He’s literally a life-changing leader and skilled surgeon. Even with such phenomenal experience and expertise, he’s one of the most humble and insightful leaders you’ll meet. In this conversation with Richie Reeder, Dr. George discusses his personal call to medicine, the evolution of pediatric transplant surgery over the past several decades, and the importance of long-term care for his patients. The conversation highlights the influence of Dr. Thomas Starzl, whom Mazariegos trained under in the late 1980’s. Dr. Mazariegos shares personal anecdotes about his family and faith, as well as insights on the future of pediatric transplantation, the role of patient-centered outcomes, and the importance of perseverance for families navigating the transplant journey. Don’t miss this personal and unique interview!
A leading figure in the field of pediatric transplantation, Dr. George Mazariegos is Chief of Pediatric Transplantation at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, the Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation and at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute. He’s also a professor at the University of Pittsburgh in the departments of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine. He and his colleagues founded the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplantation where he serves as Chairman and leads the network’s overall efforts. He and his family reside in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA.
Links & Resources:
SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA).
In Episode 10, we welcome Katherine Sikma Wadsworth to share about her inspiring journey of perseverance here in October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Katherine shares her entire journey of diagnosis, long grueling hours of chemo, a double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery. We cover topics like what it feels like to hear the word cancer in your mid thirties, how she befriended her body during this time, and how friends and family can hold space for you in a helpful way while you battle cancer. This is such a helpful and vulnerable conversation you're not going to want to miss!
Katherine is a leadership coach, organizational development consultant, and host of the "You Gotta Try This" podcast, where she shares things that bring connection, beauty, and delight. She's a graduate of Calvin University, where she studied communication, psychology, and gender. She holds master's degrees in higher education and leadership from Geneva College and Duquesne University. Katherine serves on the teaching team at Christ Community Church of the South Hills and is passionate about empowering others and helping them to understand their place in God's kingdom. She lives in Mount Lebanon, PA, just south of Pittsburgh with her husband, David.
Links & Resources:
In Episode 9, we welcome Melissa McQueen, the president and co-founder of Transplant Families. After her youngest son received a heart transplant in 2009, Melissa found herself searching for a support that was devoted solely to pediatric transplant families and that was accessible to all who needed it. When she didn’t find the resources she was seeking, she brought together fellow caregivers to build the community they wanted to have.
Listen in as Melissa recounts the emotional challenges of discovering her son Dylan's need for a heart transplant. Through her story, she offers a raw and honest glimpse into the emotional and logistical hurdles faced by families navigating the complex world of pediatric organ transplantation. We talk through the pivotal moments, including the family's decision-making process in choosing a transplant center and the life-altering call about a donor heart. Melissa opens up about the impact of the transplant on family dynamics, finances, and mental health, highlighting the critical role of medical professionals and loved ones. Her passion for advocacy shines through, as she shares stories of how parental voices can influence medical advancements and policies. Join us as we celebrate the resilience of families, like the McQueen’s, who are navigating the transplant journey!
Links & Resources:
SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA).
In episode 8 of the Pressing On Podcast, we hear from Clay and Lauren Buckwalter! The Buckwalters have experienced several difficult trials personally, including seeing their daughter spend nearly a week in the NICU at West Penn Hospital when she was born. Their experience has led them to partnering with Pressing On in creative ways, including using Clay’s upcoming Pittsburgh Marathon to care for hospitalized families. They both talk through their family's hospital experience, share how they navigated the NICU and why they're using Clay's Run to support the work that Pressing On does with hospitalized families. Listen in to this inspiring episode!
Clay is a Personal Trainer & Health Coach, with a degree in Exercise Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Lauren earned her teaching degree from Liberty University and currently teaches Middle School Science virtually for CCA. The Buckwalters have been married for 8 years and reside in Irwin, PA with their two kids, Roby and Blake.
SUPPORT CLAY'S RUN: https://www.pressingon.org/claysrun
PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically! SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) https://cota.org/
FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: https://www.PressingOn.org
MUSIC: https://www.bensound.com
In this episode, we sit down with Jay & Rachel Mitlo as they share their family’s journey of dealing with the tragic effects of pediatric cancer. In a very real and vulnerable way, they give personal perspective and encouraging hope to parents that have lost a child. Their youngest son, Trey (nicknamed “Young Warrior”), completed his battle with cancer on November 5th, 2014. During our talk, they discuss what they learned from Trey’s life, how they intentionally leaned on their community during the many hospitalizations, how they championed the emotional needs of their other children during this difficult time, and how they’ve celebrated their child’s life as they heal.
Jay is the Pastor at Faith Community Church and Rachel serves as a Paraprofessional at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and they’ll reach their silver anniversary together here in 2024, having been married for 25 years.
PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically!
SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) https://cota.org/
FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: https://www.PressingOn.org
MUSIC: https://www.bensound.com
In this podcast episode, we talk with Rick Lofgren, President & CEO of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), as he shares his passion for serving families on the journey of pediatric transplant. Rick’s relational leadership style is contagious and it was a joy to hear him share numerous stories of persevering transplant families that he’s built relationships with over the years. During our talk, he describes the ins & outs of fundraising for a major surgery and how important it is to have supportive friends and loved ones with you on the journey. If you or someone you know is affected by a pediatric transplant, this is a must-listen episode! Rick has a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University, an MBA from the University of Illinois at Springfield and a Master of Science in administration from Central Michigan University. Rick and his wife, Lisa, have two married children and three grandkids. They are avid cyclists and gardeners, as well. PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically! SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) https://cota.org/ Founded in 1986, COTA has helped raise more than $160 million for transplant-related expenses and seen over 3,000 COTA patients transplanted successfully. FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: https://www.PressingOn.org MUSIC: https://www.bensound.com
In this podcast episode, we talk with Korbin Diggs as she shares her family’s traumatic healthcare experience of having not one, but two of her children diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma within a span of two years. Korbin gets vulnerable about what hospital life feels like as a parent and how she walked the isolating road of caring for her children in and out of the hospital, supported by her strong faith. Korbin shares graciously about topics like the effects of chemotherapy, how to coach your support system on what is helpful when you’re in the hospital, how perseverance in prayer gave her strength and the amazing care her family received from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Oncology team. Korbin serves as the Administrative Director at Reclamation Church and is a former Marketing & Training Director for Chick-fil-A. She has a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and has now lived in Pittsburgh for 34 years. She’s been married to her husband Reno for 26 years and has three adult children, Evan, Ross and Gillian. PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically! SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) https://cota.org/ FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: https://www.PressingOn.org MUSIC: https://www.bensound.com
In this episode, we chat with Pat and Brittany Smith, as they share their family's story of navigating the challenging waters of pediatric transplant in a very unique season: during the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020. Pat and Brittany share the challenges of managing their child's disease, how and when they decided to opt for transplant, the pros / cons of spending so much time in the hospital during Covid, how to harness the power or your relationships during healthcare trauma and how their faith shaped their journey.
Pat and Brittany Smith have been married for 13 years and they have 3 children: Mia (their oldest, who’s 10) and their twins, Emma and Owen who are both 8. They reside in New Wilmington, PA where Brittany is an educator as a 5th Grade Teacher and Pat is the Head Swimming & Diving coach at Westminster College. Their family has collectively shown resilience in the face of a critical illness and facing the long journey of pediatric transplant for their daughter Emma.
PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically!
SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) https://cota.org/
FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: https://www.PressingOn.org
MUSIC: https://www.bensound.com
In this episode, Jim Barnard discusses how medical trauma and physical suffering affects the whole family. Jim is a coach, author, pastor and speaker who enjoys helping people explore their hurts and the "expectation gap" in their lives – between what they envisioned and what they’ve experienced. In his unique and vulnerable way, Jim shares Alisha's medical journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrone, how we can all address the "expectation gap" in our lives and parenting tips during a medical crisis.
Jim and his wife Alisha got married in 2006 and within 3 months, Alisha got terribly sick. Her health took a dramatic turn when she could no longer keep any food down. Just months after being married, they made their way to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where Alisha was ultimately diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Jim chronicles Alisha's illness and their difficult medical journey in his book "The Suffering Guy" where he combines vulnerability with wit in an inspirational way. Check it out!
Jim & Alisha Barnard have been married for 17 years and they reside in Denver, CO with their 13-year old son, Anderson.
Buy the book "The Suffering Guy"
Tiller Coaching - connect with Jim!
PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically! SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) https://cota.org/ FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: https://www.PressingOn.org MUSIC: https://www.bensound.com
In Episode 2, we speak with Timoethus and Kendra Pope about the traumatic healthcare journey that they have walked with their precious son, Judah, who has an unknown and currently untreatable condition called FIRES. Their realness and vulnerability is refreshing as they dive into topics like: how to establish routine at the hospital, how to intentionally engage medical staff, how parents are not defined by their child's condition, how to keep your child's diagnosis in perspective and how to lean on deep faith in God through it all.
TPope and Kendra are a dynamic duo who have been married since 2006. They reside in Rector, PA with their eight children. Timotheus Pope is the President/CEO of Citikidz, a Christian Sports Camp impacting urban youth and adults, while Kendra Pope is a Writer, Speaker, Coach, Jesus follower, Hope giver and Bridge Builder who blogs at WhenHopeIsReal.com.
Recommended Resources & Links:
PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically!
SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) https://cota.org/ FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: https://www.PressingOn.org MUSIC: https://www.bensound.com
In this inaugural episode of the Pressing On podcast, we speak with Regan Reeder. She's a co-founder of Pressing On and currently a K-12 Cyber Special Education Facilitator. As a medical momma who’s experienced her daughter’s long road to recovery from liver transplant, Regan’s passionate about connecting with transplant families, providing helpful resources and encouraging them in the midst of their pain. In her spare time, she can be found reading Jan Karon’s Mitford Series, watching the Hallmark Channel and enjoying time with her husband (Richie) and girls (Alivia and Myka). Listen in as Regan shares her background, the story of Myka's transplant, what she's learned about mental health and how she encourages other parents through their medical trauma!
PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically! SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) https://cota.org/ FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: https://www.PressingOn.org MUSIC: https://www.bensound.com