Mandy and Kate talk to Sonja, a self proclaimed Norwegian princess and introduces us to her gorgeous daughter Emmy who lives with Patau Syndrome or Trisomy 13. Emmy was born 7 weeks prematurely, in a dramatic entrance which has paved the way for Emmy's life so far. Sonja shares the story of Emmys birth, her time in SCN and the genetic testing and diagnosis of Patau Syndrome and the mosaic nature of the results. This time was gut wrenching whilst Emmy was in hospital and they couldn't be together. She came home at 6.5 weeks and was healthy and growing beautifully. Sonja began the journey of hip dysplasia and microcephaly initially and had a hip brace and avoided a head brace. Emmy then got her nickname as baby Elton John with her first pair of glasses. Sonja grew up in America, and lives in Melbourne, so her family came to Australia with their family heirloom gown for Emmy to wear at her christening. It was a very special time. Sonja was told to google Patau Syndrome/Trisomy 13 by her Doctor and she found it affects one in 4000 - 20,000 people. Emmy's geneticist told Sonja that her results had not been found in anyone else in the world and now that Emmy is older, they have met another little boy from QLD. Emmy has had some significant respiratory illness in her life and at age 3, she was extremely unwell and had a cardiac arrest in the ambulance on the way to RCH and thankfully was resuscitated and recovered. She had many respiratory admissions to hospital for many years. Emmy began schooling in mainstream, and then moved to a specialist school in grade one which coincided by covid 2020. Emmy enjoys school and is now in grade 6. Emmy is dramatic, friendly, be anyones best friend, she is a storyteller with a terrific memory. She is a Special Olympics athlete and loves being a part of it. She is now heading into the secondary school with a new diagnosis of Autism and Intellectual Disability and the tours for the schools have began. Sonja is a florist and loves using the creative part of her brain. She is pausing her florist business at the moment, but follow her for when she returns. Thank you for sharing your story Sonja. You can find and follow Sonja on Instagram @sonjabarrettgibbons and @sonjagibbonsfloraldesign Plus:   Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love Join our Facebook Hangout Find us on YouTube Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us! Leave us a speakpipe  Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us! Melbourne forecast for Thursday April 25  - Shower or two,  16 degrees  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mandy and Kate chat to mother and daughter dynamic pea duo Vicki and Rachel from Newcastle. Vicki is a mum of five kids and wife to her husband Neil, who has an acquired brain injury due to a stroke. One of her children also has neurofibromatosis, ADHD and learning disabilities. Her daughter Rachel was a young carer for her siblings and her stroke-affected stepdad, and recently became a mum to 2-year-old Amelia, who is a gorgeous little SWAN girl.  Rachel talks about Amelia’s birth and early few weeks spent in NICU. Amelia had a challenging start and needed approximately 25 emergency department visits in her first year for tube reinsertions and tape allergies. Rachel talks about the search for a diagnosis, which after many genetic tests, has still yet to be determined, and living with the uncertainty that this brings. Vicki also talks about supporting her girl Rachel and the joys and challenges of being a mum and grandma to such a diverse family. Thank you Vicki and Rachel for sharing your story with us! Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love Join our Facebook Hangout Find us on YouTube Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us! Leave us a speakpipe  Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us! Melbourne forecast for Thursday April 18  - Showers increasing, 17 degrees  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate and Mandy talk to Bec, a mad Carlton (boo) supporter and Pea partner and mum to a husband and two boys with disabilities. Her husband Luke has a a congenital deformity of his left hand, plus lived with an undiagnosed dislocated elbow for decades. Her eight-year-old boy Henry has autism and ADHD and is also gifted. Her younger son Kieran is profoundly deaf in one ear and has developmental coordination disorder, formerly known as dyspraxia.  Bec talks about the diagnosis journey for her boys, their experiences at school, particularly the Auslan program for Kieran, and the challenges of keeping a gifted child engaged in learning. Bec also chats about Luke's experience with the NDIS as an adult, and the success they had in getting their local MP involved to help with getting plans approved. She also talks about the things her boys love to do - Henry’s an accomplished Irish dancer who enjoys the routine and order of learning the dance steps, and Kieran loves singing, dancing, acting and being an extroverted entertainer. Thanks for sharing your family’s story with us Bec! Plus:   Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love Join our Facebook Hangout Find us on YouTube Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us Leave us a speakpipe  Melbourne forecast for Thursday April 11  - Showers easing,  18 degrees  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello lovely Peas, pop us in your ears today and hear our announcement. We have loved sharing our lives with you over the last 5 years, but as they say, all pea things must come to an end. So on Mothers Day this year we are hanging up our headphones and turning the mics off, 5 years after we started. We still love each other very much and are so happy to be even better friends than we were 5 years ago, and now we have so many new friends too. You can stay connected with us below https://www.instagram.com/podbarkate/ https://www.instagram.com/mandyhosesheknows/ Look out for Kate's new Podcast Honestly I'm Lonely it will be out real soon and Mandy is having a little break before she releases her new podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mandy and Kate chat to Maya, founder and CEO of Rare Wear - adaptive fashion for kids with disabilities - and Pea mum to six-year-old Lloyd, who has a rare genetic condition called Iqsec2 Associated Disorder and lives with developmental, medical and mobility issues.  Maya chats all about Lloyd’s birth when she was just eighteen years old, and the long journey towards diagnosis when he was 2 and a half years old. Lloyd is a full-time wheelchair user and is peg-fed, and is a chill and happy little peashoot who adores cars and 80s rock music, and is a good big brother to his little sister Elsie.  Maya started Rare Wear as she was finding it hard to buy clothes for Lloyd that were easy and comfortable - pants should not be hard! Rare Wear offers adaptive tops, bottoms, accessories and swimwear that make life easier for kids and carers. In her spare time, Maya has also worked full time at Supercheap Auto sharing her mad car skills taught to her by her dad, is doing her honours year in health sciences at uni with a view to doing a PhD next year, and also undertakes community advisory roles with a range of organisations, including SWAN Australia. Thanks for sharing your story with us Maya! Check out the Rare Wear website and socials, including TikTok, and Lloyd's Instagram. Plus:   Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love Join our Facebook Hangout Find us on YouTube Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us! Leave us a speakpipe  Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us! Melbourne forecast for Thursday April 4  - Partly cloudy, 19 degrees  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate and Mandy chat to Alex, a registered music therapea from Devonport, Tasmania. Alex talks all about her journey through the almost magical profession of music therapy.  Growing up in a musical family, Alex was interested in music and singing, but felt a strong sense that there was more to it than just performing or entertaining people.  Spotting a music therapy conference happening in her hometown of Brisbane, she decided to head along to explore it. Little did she know that she was about to experience a sliding doors moment, when on hearing a speech about music therapy practice in the RCH NICU, she realised, “This is what I’m going to do with the rest of my life!” Alex started studying at the University of Queensland, and then following a move to Tasmania, began her music therapy practice, mostly with young children and older people. She shares some beautiful client stories that will make you cry (Mandy sure does!) and delves into the research behind why this particular form of therapy is so powerful - particularly the ‘memory bump’ that occurs between the ages of 10-30, where all the songs you love during this age stay with you and become enduring and resonant memories throughout your life.   Alex also discusses how to access music therapy through NDIS,  why she thinks every Pea should be in a choir, and why you should intentionally use your memory bump music to get you through the hardest parts of your day.  Thank you Alex for sharing your absolutely beautiful stories (and your voice!) with us. Check out her business Creative Therapies on Facebook and Instagram and some music therapy resources here. Also, search for ‘Alex Morse -music therapist’ on Spotify  Plus:   Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love Join our Facebook Hangout Find us on YouTube Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us! Leave us a speakpipe  Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us! Melbourne forecast for Thursday March 28  - Cloudy,  20 degrees  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mandy and Kate chat with Belinda, meditation teacher, shiatsu practitioner and Pea! Belinda is passionate about helping and supporting people on their health journey. She is the founder of Vitaliqi and loves showing people how they can feel better and turn their physical and mental health around naturally.    Belinda’s natural health career was inspired by her experiences of being a Pea mum to a daughter with type 1 diabetes. She found that meditation and shiatsu have helped her better manage challenges and stress, and hold her through the hardest times.  Belinda talks about her now 17-year-old daughter’s diagnosis at the age of 4, the hard times and the good times during primary school and the complexities of managing a chronic illness during the teenage years.   Thank you for sharing your story with us Belinda! Check out Belinda’s business Vitaliqi via their website, Facebook and Instagram.  Plus:   Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love Join our Facebook Hangout Find us on YouTube Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us! Leave us a speakpipe  Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us! Melbourne forecast for Thursday March 21  - Mostly sunny,  21 degrees  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

This week, Mandy (Kate is sick!) chats to Louise, Pea mum to 3-year-old Isabelle who lives with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) or the ‘bubble baby condition’  - a life-threatening genetic condition in which affected babies are unable to fight bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Louise shares her story of Isabelle’s diagnosis thanks to the quick and insightful actions of two supportive paediatricians, and her months-long hospital stay in a positive pressure room, all while the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. Isabelle underwent a lifesaving stem cell transplant at 7 months of age and was able to return home. Isabelle’s condition also led to hearing loss, and she’s also been subsequently diagnosed with autism and global developmental delay.  Louise is proud to have successfully advocated for SCID to be added to Australia’s Newborn Bloodspot Screening Panel and has ensured that SCID is now detected, diagnosed and treated shortly after birth in every state in Australia, before a baby can become critically ill or pass away.   Louise also sits on the Board of the Immune Deficiencies Foundation of Australia, supports other families who have a child born with SCID and is an advocate and peer mentor to families living with any immune deficiencies.  Thank you for sharing your story with us Louise!  Plus:   Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love Join our Facebook Hangout Find us on YouTube Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us! Leave us a speakpipe  Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us! Melbourne forecast for Thursday March 14  - Shower or two, 22 degrees  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mandy and Kate recap their recent trip to Parliament House to celebrate all things neighbours and belonging and connection with the excellent people from Neighbours Every Day - Relationships Australia’s social connection campaign.  Neighbours Every Day aims to help create and share belonging across Australia, and build the inclusive communities you want to live in, one relationship at a time.  Kate and Mandy are Neighbours Every Day Ambassadors and flew up to Canberra to celebrate the launch of their national day of action - Neighbour Day on Sunday March 31.   They also chat all about types of neighbour-related stuff  - good neighbours during COVID lockdowns, calling your neighbours if you need them, what happens when you move and don’t have the energy to meet your new neighbours, what our neighbours might think if out peashoots have difficult behaviours etc etc Mandy and Kate also give a big shout out to Sam from Neighbours Every Day who is a huge supporter of the Peas - thanks Sam!   Join the annual day of action on March 31! Neighbour Day provides the perfect opportunity to increase social connection in your local areas. You can celebrate in a variety of ways including hosting or supporting events that assist and engage your communities. Register or find an event here Plus:   Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love Join our Facebook Hangout Find us on YouTube Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us! Leave us a speakpipe  Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us! Melbourne forecast for Thursday March 6 - Partly cloudy, 23 degrees  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mandy and Kate chat to Rachael, pea mum to a beautiful 5-year-old Robbie, and the Tasmanian representative for Angelman Syndrome Association Australia. Rachael shares the story of her pregnancy, moving to Hobart in preparation for Robbie’s birth, time in the NICU, Robbie’s surgery at only 9 days of age, and his diagnosis of the rare genetic disorder Angelman Syndrome. Rachael talks about adjusting to Robbie’s medical complexities, feeling like the whole world had changed around her, experiencing the hard days of isolation, loneliness and comparison, but receiving some wonderful support from some amazing and insightful friends.    Rachael connected online with other Angelman Syndrome parents and developed new and supportive friendships, leading to her role in the association. The Association provides support, information, education, networking, research promotion and advocacy for people and families affected by the syndrome.  We also learn that Robbie is a gentle and beautiful boy, he loves holding hands and touching faces, he’s patient and works incredibly hard at his therapies, he’s a good big brother and and loves music!  Thanks for sharing your story with us Rachael!  For more information about the Angelman Syndrome Association Australia, visit their website or find them on Facebook and Instagram. You can also follow Robbie’s story on Instagram too.   Plus:   Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love Join our Facebook Hangout Find us on YouTube Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us! Leave us a speakpipe  Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us! Melbourne forecast for Thursday February 29(!) - Cloudy, 25 degrees  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Snap Pea 91! Mandy and Kate chat about concerts, and listen to your speak pipes xxx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate and Mandy chat to Lewis from northwest Tasmania, a lovely young guy who studies media and communications and runs YouTube channel Lewlyfe.  Lewis is part of the pea community as he was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. Lewis talks about growing up managing all the challenges of multiple surgeries, speech therapy and regular check ups with a whole range of doctors and specialists. Primary school was not much fun as he went to a sporty school when he wasn’t into sports, but he found his feet and a loving and supportive community at high school, where his friends loved drama and music as much as he did. Lewis also talks about the impact on his mum and dad, their work in supporting other cleft families, and  the support and kindness the whole family received from their church community. Kate and Mandy were also extra impressed to hear the news that Lewis’ dad owns an IGA supermarket, given they’re both very frequent shoppers at their local.  Lewis also talks about making the decision to no longer undergo further surgeries, as he’s happy and confident as he is. Lewis is focused on studying, running his YouTube channel and staying involved in his local community. Thanks for sharing your story with us Lewis!  Subscribe to Lewis’s YouTube channel Lewlyfe and help him bump up his followers, visit the Lewlyfe website and follow Lewis on Instagram.  Visit CleftPals Victoria and Cleft Connect Australia for more information about cleft and palate conditions.   Plus:   Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love Join our Facebook Hangout Find us on YouTube Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us! Leave us a speakpipe  Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us! Melbourne forecast for Thursday February 22  - HOT, late cool change, windy, 38 degrees Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part two of "The Peas are back for 2024" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Peas are back for 2024 and listen happily to your speak pipes. Mandy spoke about Tim from Thailand's book https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/10017028 "With Gratitude" Kate is loving Megan Williams book (she accidentally used the wrong sir name in the episode, sorry Megan) https://www.booktopia.com.au/let-s-never-speak-of-this-again-megan-williams/book/9781922790392.html you can get it here. And Kate's amazing cousin Amy has written this beautiful book GATHER, and you can get it here or follow her on Instagram at underground_coffs https://chocdaisy.square.site/product/gather-by-amy-barrett/410?cs=true&cst=custo Melbourne's forecast for tomorrow is a lovely 26 with sunshine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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

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

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