This episode’s conversation with guest, Laura Escayg, focuses on what special needs parents may be challenged by and how they can feel more supported and cope better with the heaviness they may be experiencing as a special needs parent.
Laura also shares about some events experienced in her own and her son, Isaiah's life. Marcia shares some from hers and her daughter, Emma's as well.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Laura Escayg and Her Journey
02:47 The Birth of Disability Activism
05:27 Founding Cause and Effect
07:47 Media and INtersetionality in Disability Advocacy
12:21 Personal Reflections on Motherhood and Activism
14:56 The Shift in Perspective as a Parent
17:08 The Importance of Storytelling
19:51 The Impact of Loss of Expectations
22:16 Isaiah's Journey and Challenges
24:32 The Power of Empathy and Community
42:55 Navigating the Diagnosis Journey
44:16 Isaiah's Progress and Family Dynamics
48:59 The Emotional Landscape of Parenting Special Needs
01:02:56 Advice for New and Experienced Parents
01:07:55 Exploring the Spiritual Journey of Caregiving
About our guest
Laura Escayg is a singer/songwriter and disability activist who released her first album twenty years ago to audiences in the region and Europe. After the birth of her son, Isaiah, who is severely intellectually challenged, she made the choice to give up her pursuit of her music career to meet his needs and was thrust into the world of disability activism. She is the co-founder of two NGOs, CKFTO and Cause An Effect.
Alongside her husband Francis and their three children, she has poured her talents as an artist, writer and performer into Cause An Effect, and set out to create stories that humanize people with disabilities and celebrate their right to live their best life.
Their website link: www.causeaneffect.co
Their social media pages:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1WEuAD1yHz/
https://youtu.be/E3Ri8PK6QWg?si=g19KBg_tv6HVNeEz
https://www.instagram.com/causeaneffectorg?igsh=MXh2NW05cGFiZmRibQ==
About the podcast host
Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a speaker, coach, and special needs parent, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.
Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at https://books2read.com/lightingthepath
Find Marcia on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney
Join the FREE Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG