My Child Has Disabilities Now What?

S2 E3 – Ada’s Café, A business with a soul.

Today we are talking with Kathleen Foley-Hughes, who opened a cafe in 2003 dedicated to employing people with disabilities after realizing there were limited vocational educational options for her son and others with disabilities. Fast forward to 2025 and Ada’s Café, is a thriving business and pillar of success in the community. Ada’s Cafe is a place where those with disabilities learn all aspects of the restaurant industry in a supportive environment.

S2-E2 – Dr. Korb, Center for Developing Minds

On this episode we are talking with Dr. Damon Korb, a board-certified developmental and behavioral pediatrician.  As the clinic director for Center for Developing Minds, he guides a team of child development experts that care for children and young adults who are struggling. Join us as we discuss his work and how your child could benefit from the programs and services the center offers. 

S2 E1 – Never take no for an answer.

On this episode we are talking with Paula Reardon, mom to two sons with autism.  One son entering college and another in elementary school and the challenges associated with educational, medical, and social systems and never taking no for an answer when it’s what your child needs.

S1 E6 - Your perfect child

Today’s guest is, Dr. Calvin Wheeler, MD, Pediatric Neurologist, recently retired from Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional and Medical Director of Undergraduate and Graduate medical education, having served in that role for seven years. Prior to that he was the physician-in-chief of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fremont and the Greater Southern Alameda Area for 18 years. During those 18 years, he was a member of the Board of Directors and the Operations Management Group for The Permanente Medical Group. 
 
There are too many accomplishments to mention in this short opening. But, our most fond experience was when we first meet Dr. Wheeler and he walked picked up our daughter and saw her as a person and not just a patient.

S1 E5 - Critical Resources

On today’s episode we have the pleasure of talking with Maria Daane, the Executive Director of Parents Helping Parents (PHP), located in Silicon Valley.  Parents Helping Parents supports parents whose children - or adult children - have disabilities. Parents Helping Parents offers 600 training and support groups online each year as well as a robust website visited by 200,000 annually.  Maria has been at PHP for 7 years, and especially values that over 90% of those who work at PHP as well as the majority of the board of directors are themselves parents of individuals with special needs, which makes the work especially meaningful.  Maria has worked over 20 years as a Manager or Director in the nonprofit sector, and enjoys hiking and family time.

Episode 4 - Surf Therapy Specialist Timothy Reed Murphy

Timothy Reed Murphy, Surf Therapy Specialist shares how he built a professional life that combines his greatest passions– wander lusting and bringing humanity closer together through giving back and how your child with disabilities can participate in surf therapy. Timothy has been working with children with disabilities, veterans, and other at-risk communities. He is a well-known and popular member of the Adaptive Surf Community, and posts his experiences with over 26,000 followers on Instagram (@timothy_reed_murphy).  On this episode discover how your child with disabilities can do the impossible. 

Episode 3 - Allen Lillie, former San Andreas Regional Center Service Coordinator,

Today we are talking with Allen Lillie, former San Andreas Regional Center, Service Coordinator, who walks us through the regional center services and programs available to families in California. If you have a child with a disability tune in and find out how to access these critical services. 

Episode 2 discusses living options

Episode 2 discusses living options. Amy Parham, mom of a 20 year old daughter, nonverbal recently placed her in a residential living home.  Sherrean discusses Taylor’s current living situation in housing built for people with developmental disabilities. Positives and challenges of determining what is the best placement for your child.

Introduction - First Episode

On this first episode Dave and Sherrean are interviewed by Brian Bernasconi at PodCats Studio in Los Gatos CA. On this episode you will get the background story about us and our daughter Taylor who has sever disabilities.