Parenting with a Visual Disability with Elaine

Perinatal Wellbeing - The Podcast about Prenatal, Pregnancy & Postpartum Health

Content Warning:
suicidal ideation, CAS involvement

Episode description:
On today’s episode I am talking with Elaine about the often unspoken challenges of parenting with a disability. From discovering her pregnancy at seven months to confronting societal stereotypes and medical assumptions, Elaine's story is a testament to resilience and the power of unwavering determination.

Highlights:

1:44 - How Elaine came into parenting,
5:24 - Elaine found out she was 7 months pregnant,
10:45 - Doctor’s assumptions about parenting with a disability, seeking out a midwife,
24:35 - Elaine’s support system,
31:32 - Elaine experienced depression during pregnancy and suicidal ideation, she was isolated and felt more alone,
34:50 - Welcoming a second baby, experiencing mental illness postpartum, parenting during the pandemic,
41:04 - Elaine had support from CAS with her first child but wasn’t able to access support for her 2nd child, she received support from Safe Families Canada,
46:35 - Parenting a child with a disability, restrictions in the school system,
57:51 - Advocating for herself as a disabled parent and for a disabled child and burnout,
1:04:05 - How does Elaine’s disability impact her parenting,
1:09:37 - Coming to terms with that Elaine’s “just a parent”, society not valuing paid work,
1:19:26 - What does Elaine think is needed for resources for parents with a disability; finding a community/support groups, more supports for single parents with a disability, connecting to mainstream supports.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Healthy Babies Healthy Children - https://www.ontario.ca/page/healthy-babies-healthy-children-program

Safe Families Canada - https://safefamiliescanada.com/

Living Diverse Podcast CNIB - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/cnib-podcast-network/id1548337187

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email [e-mail]

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode please reach out to me at [e-mail] and I can help you find support in your area or online.

Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for more information about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as free online support groups and a provider directory.

You can look for an individual therapist on www.psychologytoday.com

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