I've got something truly special for you in our latest episode. I sat down with the remarkable Christina Gagnon, a warrior who entered this world as a preemie with the odds stacked against her. Weighing just 1 pound and 8 ounces at birth, Christina's resilience is nothing short of miraculous.

🌟 Overcoming the Impossible: Christina's journey is a testament to human strength. She's faced a staggering 44 lung collapses, battled numerous diseases, and even conquered the loss of her toes to gangrene. Yet, she stands today as a beacon of hope and determination.

👶 The Power of Sharing: Christina's experiences, often unheard from adult preemies, shed light on the unique challenges and triumphs of surviving and thriving beyond a precarious start to life.

💔 Raw and Real: Our conversation dives deep into the emotional rollercoaster of her childhood, the bullying, and the moment of acceptance that changed everything. Christina's story is a raw, unfiltered look at the reality of growing up with medical challenges.

🤗 Embracing Differences: Learn how Christina transformed her struggles into strength, finding acceptance and love in a community that saw her for who she truly is.

📘 A Memoir in the Making: Christina is penning her memoir, a work that promises to be as inspiring as her life. It's a story that's sure to resonate with anyone facing their own battles.

🌈 A Message of Hope: Christina and I discuss the importance of perseverance and finding light in the darkest of times. Her message is clear: never give up, and embrace your journey with pride.

I'm beyond inspired by Christina, and I know you will be too.

So, grab your headphones, find a cozy spot, and join us for an episode that's sure to move your heart and ignite your spirit.

Let's celebrate the power of defying the odds together!

You can connect with Christina here

Linkedin

Instagram

TikTok

Transcript.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Danielle hosts Dr. Deborah Simmons, a mother of two premature babies, a fertility counsellor, and author of the book 'We are always with you'.

Dr. Deborah shares her experiences as a parent to two prematurely born babies and how this inspired her to transition from being a lobbyist to getting a Ph.D. in specialised counselling for infertility, all aspects of fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, and traumatic deliveries and starting her practice, Partners in Fertility.

She discusses the emotional trauma experienced by parents of premature babies and the importance of seeking professional help for it.

Dr. Debra showcases the need to share both the good and bad parts of our journeys without any shame or fear of judgment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Debra Simmons

00:59 Dr. Debra's Personal Journey with Preemies

02:11 The NICU Experience: A Mother's Perspective

06:04 Finding Humor in the Midst of Struggle

07:51 The Power of Laughter and Positivity

08:00 Changing Careers for a Cause

09:12 The Importance of Seeking Counseling

09:28 The Impact of Counseling on NICU Parents

18:58 The Journey of 'We Are Always With You'

24:10 Advice for Parents in the NICU

26:38 Connecting with Dr. Debra Simmons

27:23 Conclusion and Farewell

Keywords:

preemie, preemie parents, NICU, counseling, fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, traumatic deliveries, premature delivery, Dr. Deborah Silver, Tiny Tots Defying the Odds, Daniel Bison, We Are Always With You, counseling for parents, NICU journey, resilience, trauma, support, counseling work, trauma work, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), shame, guilt, comparison, We Are Always With You book, joys, successes, milestones

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this touching episode of "Tiny Tots Defying the Odds," host Danielle has a heartfelt chat with the incredible Alison Dunn.

Alison is not only the founder of Me Two Books but also a fierce mom to preemie twins. She opens up about her journey with such emotion, sharing the struggles with fertility she faced and the early arrival of her twins at 28 weeks. The conversation dives deep into the emotional whirlwind of having a child in the NICU, shedding light on the strength and openness needed by parents in these tough times.

But Alison's story is more than her own struggles; she's turned her experiences into a source of hope for others. She talks about how she started Me Two Books to fill a gap she noticed in children's literature about the NICU experience. Her books are more than just stories; they're a source of comfort and a way to connect for NICU families and twins.

Her words are a powerful reminder that even when times are tough, there's strength in fighting for what's dear to your heart.

And for those who've found comfort, inspiration, or a sense of belonging in this episode, we've got something special for you.

Come join the "Tiny Tots Defying the Odds" family by signing up for our newsletter.

It's more than just updates; it's a way to stay in touch, stay informed, and stay inspired as we share stories, resources, and the wisdom of our amazing guests. Don't miss the chance to be part of our community. Subscribe today and let's keep defying the odds together.

Connect with Alison Here:

Me Two Books

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter/X

Pinterest

The fertility journey and challenges (00:02:34)

The NICU experience (00:03:36)

Coping with infertility (00:07:39)

Leaving one twin in the hospital (00:11:09)

Importance of seeking support (00:13:11)

Triumphs in the NICU (00:15:44)

Transitioning home and twins' progress (00:18:04)

Witnessing Daily Miracles (00:20:06)

Inspiration Behind Me Two Books (00:20:50)

Expanding Me Two Books (00:23:13)

Impact of Me Two Books (00:25:40)

Future Goals for Me Two Books (00:26:45)

Balancing Roles (00:28:15)

Advice for Parents (00:31:03)

Stay Connected with Me Two Books (00:33:04)

Transcript

podcast, Tiny Tots Defying the Odds, Allison Dunn, Me Two Books, founder, twins, 28 weeks, NICU, preemies, infertility, IVF treatments, high-risk pregnancy, emergency C-section, emotional turmoil, support, small milestones, post-NICU period, medical fragility, childcare, triumphs, hope, challenges, parents, support, NICU, children's book, I Was a Preemie Just Like You, NICU journey, twins, I Needed the NICU Just Like You, One of Two, NICU lending libraries, author, work-life balance, passion, positive impact, social media, website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.