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Sharing my own personal experience with my struggle of quarantine at home with COVID-19.  A raw, open discussion on how I realized I was in a undeniable slump and what I did to help myself get through it.  I hold nothing back.Quarantine at home with the kids and running a business while also getting over the loss of my mom hasn't been easy.  It wasn't easy, but I had to listen to my heart and share my very personal experience with you.  I literally hit record and poured my heart out.Share with a friend, leave a review, send me a message.  I love hearing from you.@alisafostercoaching alisafoster.com

Cannabinoid medicine is a hot topic across the country. In this episode, I share my conversation with Dr. Blake Pearson, a global leader in in the field of cannabinoid and functional medicine. Blake Pearson, MD, is a global leader in the field of cannabinoid and functional medicine. Licensed to practice in both Canada and the USA, Dr. Pearson has successfully treated thousands of patients with a range of complex conditions and has extensive experience helping patients manage chronic pain, insomnia, autism spectrum disorders that have failed conventional treatments, and behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia. He also has significant expertise supporting patients living in long-term care and living with disabilities. Twitter: @DrBlakePearson | Facebook: @Dr.BlakePearson | Instagram: @Dr.BlakePearson | LinkedIn: @blakepearson-md

Jess Moran has a unique perspective as both a sibling and a parent to a loved one with special needs.  She openly shares her family's experience with anxiety & grief and the importance of facing it all directly to leading to a happy life.Jess shares her daughter's experience with increased anxiety & lack of sleep due to COVID-19 and how they've been able to get some relief and figured out their new balance.Alisa & Jess discuss the importance of acknowledging grief surrounding your child's diagnosis. That when you take time to acknowledge it, you then have the ability to move forward and have the freedom for a happy life.Finally, Jess shares some exciting news about her newest heart project https://www.isolationshortfilmfest.com/ Want to connect with Jess?   Check out these links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessMMMCO/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessMMMoranWebsite: https://www.jessmco.com/

Danny Allen is a certified music therapist, and received his music therapist accredited (MTA) status in 2015.  He is the owner and director of Allen Music Therapy, a developmental music therapy practice based in Whitby, Ontario.  His practice focuses on facilitating clinical music sessions with clients of all ages living with developmental delays, autism, and Down Syndrome.  He also has experience working in long-term care facilities, with deaf-blind individuals, and providing sessions for inmates in a federal correctional institution. Danny completed his Bachelor of Music Therapy (BMT) degree in 2014 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.  He returned to WLU to obtain his Master of Music Therapy degree in 2018.  During his master's, Danny researched clinical guitar techniques and how to efficiently apply them in music therapy sessions.Danny has previously worked as an inclusion support worker.  Through this position he learned how to develop inclusive programming as well as how to recognize and identify potential barriers present in the world of an individual with special needs.  He is an advocate for a more inclusive world, and strives to make his sessions and instruments as inclusive/accessible as possible.  Want to learn more?Connect with Danny on Social Media:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/allenmusictherapy/Website www.allenmusictherapy.ca 

Rachel is a mom to one awesome teenage son born with multiple complex diagnoses. Making the hospital a second home very much became reality for the Martens family for many years. It was from these experiences Rachel found community with families who have led similar lives and found a path she continues on in advocacy and patient-oriented research. Rachel enjoys a good cup of coffee and crochet in her down time, hanging out with her family in Calgary, Alberta.Twitter: @RaeofSunshine79Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeeandadvocacy/

The goal of Friends 4 Kindness is to reach as many kids as possible  to celebrate them and let them know they matter.  We want to advocate for inclusiveness and acceptance.  We want to show the world that kids with disabilities have amazing abilities!  Finally, we want to build up the confidence and self worth in a child that is/has been bullied or perhaps too shy to make connections with friends!It all began with a mom wanting to help her daughter.  Kaitlin Coghlin has Williams Syndrome, a genetic disorder that presents differently in various individuals.  In January 2018, Kaitlin was feeling sad- she had discovered she wasn't going to have the typical grade 12 milestones as kids her own age.  Kaitlin thought she wasn't getting these milestones because she had no friends.  Her mom, Nicole Callander,  put a call out to her family and friends on social media asking them to send her birthday cards from January-July.  Her goal was 100 cards.  She figured that if Kaitlin received birthday cards then she would feel like she mattered when all the milestones were occurring. Her request went viral and Kaitlin received thousands of cards from around the world.  With her request reaching worldwide- Nicole also received hundreds of messages from other parents whose children don't get invited to birthdays or have kids come to theirs. Nicole wanted to return the kindness that Kaitlin had received and decided to host an Unbirthday Party for 200 kids who don't get invited to birthdays or have kids come to their birthday.  The first party was held in Brantford, Ontario, Canada on July 8th, 2018.  It was a huge success!  Friendships were made and laughs were heard all afternoon!  Nicole formed Friends 4 Kindness with the help of her friends.  Find out more at https://friends4kindness.caFacebook https://www.facebook.com/friends4kindness/

Parenting during a time of crisis is anything but typical. Therapist, Laura Gatien, shares tips on how to add self-care to your daily routine, even when you feel like you don't have a moment alone.Laura Gatien is a registered social worker and clinical therapist in private practice in Saint John, New Brunswick. In 2018, Laura took a leap of faith and walked away from the security of a government job to become a solopreneur and she has since grown her mental health practice to a team of 10 clinicians. Laura is a mom of 3 littles and is the founder of Laura Gatien & Associates Counselling Services. Laura understands the courage it takes to step into something with many unknowns, of learning to believe in herself to accomplish her goals, and to quickly develop leadership skills and rise above criticism.  Laura has a decade of diverse experience working with individuals and couples. She is extremely passionate about reducing the stigma that accompanies mental health, through teaching and modelling that mental health affects everyone. It is necessary to seek help for mental health challenges just as you would physical health. Laura is a determined entrepreneur who uses a real and genuine approach in her work. She uses vulnerability and challenges traditional approaches to mental health therapy to remove barriers to seeking treatment. Laura and her team have been recognized for offering a free drop-in counselling program for the community as well as a low-cost counselling program with the clinic interns and herself. Laura Gatien & Associates is becoming known as a center of excellence for training top talent in the field and providing an exceptional experience to learn and grow as a social worker. To find out more about Laura & her team please visit www.lauragatien.com.************ 

Natalie Friese is the passionate and profoundly dedicated owner and founder of Nature’s Vibe Natural Health Clinic; she is a highly knowledgeable and experienced natural health care practitioner, intuitive healer and spiritual teacher. She has earned diplomas in Homeopathic Medicine, Medical Heilkunst and Dynamic Nutrition as well as certificates in multiple healing modalities such as: German New Medicine, Reiki and Total Body Modification.Natalie’s career in Natural Health started early on in her life, motivated by Homeopathy saving her twin sister’s life.  She is now a renown Canadian natural health industry expert and has worked with many professional supplement brands to help formulate product lines, write training manuals and to mentor their teams.  She is a published writer, an inspirational speaker and a passionate natural health educator.Natalie’s holistic healing practice focuses largely on empowering her clients to heal and on mind-body medicine. She works with those who are looking to expand their conscious awareness and have a special interest in healing past trauma. Natalie sees clients at in-person at Nature’s Vibe and treats clients internationally online (via Skype or Zoom). She credits much of her clinical success to really taking the time to listen, care and educate.Instagram@naturesvibecambridge@nataliefrieseFacebook@naturesvibe@nataliefrieseconsciouslivingwww.naturesvibe.ca******Like what you heard?  Have a comment or question?  Leave a review & share with a friend wherever you listen to this podcast.Stay in touch info@alisafoster.comFacebook/Instagram @alisafostercoaching 

An insightful conversation with Sara Park, an Autism mom and author/illustrator of the book Clever Carter.  We discuss sharing Carter's diagnosis with family, beyond family, raising their siblings and advocacy.Sara Park is a children’s book author and illustrator. Mother of three, her oldest Carter, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2010. Her book “Clever Carter” was inspired by her son, as a resource for educating typically developing children, about their friends with Autism Spectrum Disorder.She is also a “Woe” contributor to the anthology “Martinis & Motherhood-Tales of Wonder, Woe and WTF?!”You can find Sara on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/CleverCarterAStoryAboutAutismTwitter: https://twitter.com/CRCRsMommy @CRCRsMommyAnd her blog, where she writes about life with her son and his overbearing yet compassionate little sisters. https://crcrsmommyblog.wordpress.com/Follow Carter's sister Caris on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/caring_with_caris/*********Like what you heard?  Have a question or comment?  Leave a review wherever you listen to this podcast.Stay in touch info@alisafoster.comFacebook/Instagram @alisafostercoaching

Dani Forbes, Executive Director and Co-Founder of National Service Dogs, shares everything you want to know about Service Dogs, National Service Dogs and their specific programs.As the Executive Director, Dani is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the organization, ensuring the organization’s mission and the strategic direction set by the board of directors is achieved. Dani loves working with dogs and people and got her start as a service dog trainer/instructor, learning the business from the ground up.  As an NSD founder and past president of the board of directors, Dani has worked in many areas of NSD’s operations as a volunteer or staff member.  Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, horse, and dogs.website: National Service Dogsfacebook: National Service Dogsinstagram: National Service Dogs 

Sabrina is an Occupational Therapist, mom of 4 children,  CEO/ Founder of Enabling Adaptations and passionate advocate for parent empowerment. She has worked in Occupational Therapy since 2003, serving in the private and public sector, owner of KW Custom Splinting and as a Professor at Conestoga College.In 2019, she started a new company to fill a gap that she noticed in the healthcare system. Enabling Adaptations was created as an online portal to help give parents and caregivers access to pediatric therapists to ask questions, gain resources and feel empowered to help their children. This option is a more affordable and timely option for parents and caregivers especially those waiting on wait lists for services. Through her own experiences, she understands the struggle of not getting access to services for children and wanting to learn how she can help her child while waiting. This inspired her to create opportunities for others to feel supported in their parenting journey. Sabrina holds a Post Professional Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Dalhousie University and a Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy from the State University of New York at Buffalo.For more information on Enabling Adaptations please go to www.enablingadaptations.com or follow her on all platforms at Enabling Adaptations and Skootle Box.Skootle Box CODE $15 off the first box with FIRST15.

Brenda Agnew is the unintentional advocate who continues to speak up, not just for her son with CP, but for all the kids that come after him.Brenda is the proud mother of two boys, Chase and Maclain. Her youngest son, Maclain, has severe cerebral palsy and profound hearing loss as a result of a condition known as Kernicterus, a brain injury that results from untreated jaundice. Since Maclain was diagnosed, she has been tireless in advocating for better systems and programs for children with special needs.There is much personal empowerment in having the ability to provide substantial input on how policies, programs and priorities are created and communicated, and how we incorporate and engage families. Brenda feels blessed to have had great opportunities to create, foster, and grow relationships with professionals, fellow parents and caregivers. Brenda works as a client liaison for Gluckstein Lawyers, helping other families navigate their journey with the legal system, drawing on their own experience after their son’s brain injury. Brenda is a School Board Trustee with the Halton Catholic District School board, as well as a Consultant with Chronically Simple, offering insights and support from a caregiver perspective.Professional Associations, Memberships & Volunteering● Community Council for the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy● CP-Net● CHILD-BRIGHT Citizen Engagement Committee● The Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee● Family Advisor, PONDA Network● Creator and moderator of PAL ( Parent Advocacy Link), which is an online facebook groupof over 2,000 special needs parents https://www.facebook.com/groups/173295489470728/Social MediaTwitter @PALParentLinkedin Brenda AgnewLink to Published workshttps://www.gluckstein.com/our-team-2/brenda-agnew/https://www.chronicallysimple.com/blog

Host Alisa Foster shares her own journey to advocacy as a Special Needs Parent.  She shares the ups and downs as they navigated trying to get answers while finding their way as a family.It took two paediatricians and a full year of searching to finally get her son diagnosed with Autism.  Alisa searched for a mentor after the diagnosis and couldn't find the right person.  Another parent that was farther down the road and willing to show her the way, to show her how to advocate for her child, how to navigate the system and to balance her family life.Alisa Foster is now on a mission to ensure that ALL Special Needs Parents have the information that they need to confidently advocate for their child and family.   Alisa will be sharing honest, weekly conversations with other Special Needs Parents, experts and professionals from around the world.   Changing the world one confident advocate at a time.Follow her on social media:Website - www.alisafoster.comWeekly newsletter - https://www.alisafoster.com/newsletter-opt-inFacebook/Instagram - @alisafostercoachingFacebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringconfidentadvocates

Stay tuned for my weekly conversations with parents, experts and professionals to empower Special Needs Parents.Eternal optimist.  Lifetime learner.  Lover of languages.  Starbucks enthusiast.Happy wife.  Proud mom of two kids, one with extra special needs.  I’m on a mission to support as many parents of kids with extra special needs to be empowered, confident & effective advocates.Over the last 10 years, since Andy’s diagnosis, I’ve created and built support systems and teams surrounding our family.  I kept being told that I do things differently.  I never knew what that even meant…until I started to ask questions. I asked those same professionals, experts and friends what I did that was so different.That’s when I understood what they meant…My experiences in my professional career as a business owner and emergency services professional had equipped me with the skills and knowledge that I needed to help us navigate through the constant need to advocate for our son with extra special needs and help us find balance as a family.Ten years into my journey as a parent of child with extra special needs and  I’m sharing my roadmap with you.You are not alone.  I’ve been where you are. I’m sharing my lessons, skills and how to become the Empowered, Confident Advocate your child needs. Website: https://www.alisafoster.com/Follow me on Facebook & Instagram