Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast

Mental Health Series

“Mental Health in Teens and Young Adults with Disabilities” with Cheryl Jordan

Today is the final episode of our Mental Health Series. We are thrilled that board director and licensed therapist, Cheryl Jordan could join us today for this informative discussion. It’s Mental Health Awareness Month and we’re talking about “Mental Health in Teens and Young Adults with Disabilities”. You’re gonna want to listen in as we talk about this very important topic. So lets get started!

Bio:

Cheryl Jordan is both a director on our board and a licenced therapist. She is happily married to Rob and mom to two adult children who faced various mental health challenges during their developmental years. Through the process of parenting her children, she and Rob sought help through mental health counseling, medical treatment, and educational support for her children. After 30 years as a physical therapist, she transitioned to a career in Mental Health Counseling. Her current specialties include helping children, teens, young adults, and their parents through play/art interventions and solution focused and behavioral therapies. She believes that her experiences as a parent gives her compassion for those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, learning challenges, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and trauma. She and Rob currently live in St George, UT where she is employed as a Mental Health Counselor for Mountain View Family Therapy

Contacts:

[email protected]

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Series: Mental Heath

“Mental Health for Families with Special Needs” with Elizabeth Strout 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Studies show that individuals with disabilities, including children, experience higher rates of mental health distress and mental health disorders compared to those without disabilities. Today as we discuss this important topic we are excited to introduce you to Elizabeth Strout, licensed clinical social worker and clinic director of Ellie Mental Health San Diego. As a LCSW she values being a compassionate, inclusive, authentic leader, supporting persons of all ages and experiences with mental health needs for over 14 years. Let’s get started on our new series with today’s episode. 

Bio:

Elizabeth (Liz) Strout is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinic Director of Ellie Mental Health San Diego. As a LCSW she values being a compassionate, inclusive, authentic leader, supporting persons of all ages and experiences in mental health need for over 14 years. Liz spent most of her career working in community mental health, providing care for the underserved populations. During this time, Liz oversaw county contracted programs serving 500-600 clients with 90+ full time employees. She has managed all levels of staff from direct care case managers, master’s level clinicians, team leads, clinical directors and program managers. Her focus is on collaborating with a network of organizations, community members and other Clinicians to improve access to care, break the stigma and provide quality mental health services to all of San Diego. She finds purpose in empowering each person with individual care on their recovery journey to reach their full potential. Day to day, Liz loves to spend time with her two Boston Terrier puppies, Luna and Winston.

Contacts:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Ellie-Mental-Health-Sorrento-Valley-Road-San-Diego-CA/61553120532942/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellie-mental-health-la-jolla-ca/posts/?feedView=all

https://www.instagram.com/elliementalhealth_sandiego/https://

www.tiktok.com/@elliementalhealthsd 

https://www.tiktok.com/@elliementalhealthsd

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead.

Connect with Us:

If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Ministry Series:

“International Disability Ministry” with Linda Martin

We are so excited to have Linda Martin, Founder & President of Miracle 139 International, back on with us,  for today’s podcast episode!

Linda is a Board-Certified Music Therapist, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders, behavior management, and music therapy assessment. With over two decades of experience, Linda has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children with disabilties and empowering those who support them.

As the Founder and President of Miracle 139 International, Linda has spearheaded efforts to equip leaders worldwide with the tools and knowledge necessary to build inclusive environments for children with disabilities. Through her work, she has helped churches across the U.S. develop special needs ministries and provided special education training internationally, across 4 continents.

Linda is passionate about the power of collaboration and believes that disability inclusion is the key to creating compassionate communities and a lasting impact around the world.

Lets listen in to todays conversation with our friend, Linda Martin

Bio:

Founder & President of Miracle 139 International, Linda Martin is a Board-Certified Music Therapist, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders, behavior management, and music therapy assessment. With over two decades of experience working with preschool and school-aged children, Linda has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children with disabilties and empowering those who support them. As the Founder and President of Miracle 139 International, Linda has spearheaded efforts to equip leaders worldwide with the tools and knowledge necessary to build inclusive environments for children with disabilities. Through her work, she has helped churches across the U.S. develop special needs ministries and provided special education training internationally, reaching communities across 4 continents. Linda is passionate about the power of collaboration and believes that disability inclusion is the key to creating compassionate communities. A published author and sought-after international trainer, she enjoys bringing teams of special education specialists together to share insights and foster lasting change. Linda holds a Master’s Degree in Music Therapy and is committed to continuing her efforts to promote inclusion and create positive, lasting impact around the world.

Contacts:

www.miracle139.com
www.miracle139international.org
facebook.com/miracle139international
instagram.com/miracle139international

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Disability Ministry Series

'Autism and the Church' with Pastor Russ Ewell

Welcome back to the Podcast.  Today we have Russ Ewell, lead pastor of Bay Area Christian Church and father of two children with special needs as our guest.  As a father and an advocate in the special needs community he understands the need for creating inclusive environments for our children.  As a Pastor, he and his wife have launched a free, step-by-step guide to help leaders begin or grow this ministry at their church.  He knows that many Pastors are interested in serving the special needs community, but lack the resources to make this a reality and is meeting the need with this resource.

In addition, Russ has create E-Sports and E-Life which are inclusive community programs enabling kids with special needs to participate in sports and activities alongside their peers.

As we approaching Autism awareness month, Russ brings a fresh perspective of what is possible for individuals special needs and the greater community.  Let’s listen in as we join Russ.

BIO

Russ Ewell is Executive Minister of the Bay Area Christian Church. A minister for more than 40 years, Russ’s teaching is rooted in providing hope for those turned off by tradition, and infused with vision for building the transformative church for which the 21st century public hungers.

Contacts:
BACC Website: bacc.cc

Family Series

'Motherhood & Special Needs' with Becky Wall

Welcome back. On this episode the focus is on moms. As moms we have our own unique stories to share. And as we approach World Down Syndrome Day, we are delighted to have Becky Wall on with us again to share her story as a mom of a son diagnosed with both Down Syndrome and Autism. Becky works for FamilyLife as a field staff leader serving families and moms connected to disability, and on this episode she and I really enjoyed getting to catch up mom to mom. Let’s get the conversation started.

Bio:

Becky is married to Garett and they have two children, Lily (14) and Isaac (12). Shortly after their son Isaac was born they received the news that Isaac had Down Syndrome. Just before the age of 10, Isaac was diagnosed with Autism as well. Becky serves part-time with FamilyLife - a ministry of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) and is a Field Staff Leader serving families and moms connected to disability. Her prayer is to create spaces for families touched by disability to hear the hope of the Gospel and find purpose in growing God’s kingdom with the life He has given them. A graduate of University of Louisville, Becky has been on staff with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) for 21 years. She served 20 years with the college campus ministry and this past year moved over to FamilyLife - a Cru ministry. A native of Troy, Michigan, Becky is married to Garett and they have two children, Lily and Isaac. They currently reside in Louisville, KY. Isaac.

Contacts:

Becky Wall

www.FamilyLife.com

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Family Series: “Creativity in Marriage & Parenting” with Angela and Mike O’Brien

You are going to love this episode! We have Angela O’Brien of the Especially Organized Podcast back on and she’s joined by her husband Mike.

This is going to be another fun and heartfelt episode in our marriage and family series that you won’t want to miss!

Angela and Mike have been married for 26 years and live in Texas and have 2 adult children, with a daughter who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. As we approach World Down Syndrome Day on Mar 21^st we talked about advocacy along with marriage and parenting, and a so much more. Eric and I really enjoyed connecting with these 2 and found that we had a crazy amount of similarities in this stage of life. Listen in to our conversation with Mike and Angela O’Brien. 

Bio: (see bio)

Angela and Michael O’Brien met in the early 90’s while working as sales representatives for a paper company in St. Louis. As good friends and colleagues, they started dating when they both went off to graduate school. Married since 1997, they have a son living and working in Madison, WI and a 21-year-old daughter who has a diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Their journey as a family has been deeply enriched by the disability community. Angela has been an advocate since their daughter’s birth and is now a professional organizer and podcast host for moms of kids with special needs. Mike is co-founder of Roosevelt Capital Management, having met his business partner on the sidelines of a Special Olympics basketball game watching their girls. They live in Dallas, TX with their daughter and beloved dog, Coco.

Contacts: (see contacts)

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (@yourspacereclaimed)
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(Your Space Reclaimed)
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Family Series: 'Building a Healthy Marriage' with Garett and Becky Wall

We are continuing on in our family series with an episode on marriage and parenting with Garett and Becky Wall. These 2 are an amazing couple and team! Becky and Garett live in Louisville, Kentucky and have two children, Lily (14) and Isaac (12), who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome and Autism.

Garett serves as the Connections Minister with Shine Disabilities Ministry and Becky serves with FamilyLife. Together they are raising a busy family and creating spaces to support families touched by disability. 

Lets listen as they share their story.

Bio:

Becky and Garett live in Louisville, KY and have two children, Lily (14) and Isaac (12). Shortly after their son Isaac was born, they received the news that Isaac had Down Syndrome. Just before the age of 10, Isaac was diagnosed with Autism as well. Becky serves part-time with FamilyLife - a ministry of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) and is a Field Staff Leader serving families and moms connected to disability. Garett serves as the Connections Minister with Shine Disabilities Ministry at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he faithfully shepherds kids, teens and adults with disabilities as well as supporting their families. Together they are raising a busy family and creating spaces to support families touched by disability to hear the hope of the Gospel and find purpose.

Contacts:

Becky Wall

www.FamilyLife.com

Garett Wall

www.southeastchristianchurch.org/shine

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Family Series:

“Teammates in Marriage”

Intro:

With our Date Night coming up on Feb 15th, on this episode we’re sharing last year’s Date Night presentation. As caregiving couples it is often hard to find quality time to connect. That is what our Date Night is all about. We hope you’ll be inspired and encouraged by this message of hope on how even under the hardest of circumstances we can still thrive as “Teammates in Marriage”.

Bio:

Eric and Christen Freund are co-founders of Hope on the Hard Road Inc. College sweethearts, they have been married for 26 years and live in San Diego with their son and daughter. Their family’s journey with special needs began when their daughter was diagnosed with Autism a week before her fourth birthday. There vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead.

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz