This past weekend marked the start of something truly special for the NM community. A Foundation Building Strength launched their “Building Strength Together” Webinar Series, a platform designed to foster connection, support, and education for individuals and families navigating the challenges of NM.
The first session focused on Emotional Wellness, a critical but often overlooked aspect of living with NM. Moderated by Child Life Specialist Meghan Fox, the webinars featured panels of NM-affected individuals and family caregivers who bravely shared their experiences and insights.
Deep Dives into Critical Topics
- “Acceptance + Hope” A panel of NM-affected teens and adults tackled questions about maintaining hope while living with NM, coping with difficult emotions, and advocating for themselves. The discussion highlighted the importance of self-acceptance, finding strategies to live in the present, and framing conversations about acceptance across different life stages.
- “Caregiver Burnout” This honest and heartfelt conversation, featuring parent caregivers Lyn Baier, Stacy Cossette, Sharon Smith, and Lisa Gross, explored the very real challenges faced by caregivers. The panelists discussed their personal experiences with burnout, sharing coping strategies and offering advice on navigating the nursing shortage and balancing the needs of multiple children.
- “Coping with an NM Diagnosis” Parent caregivers Leticia Machado, Ali Reed, and Kate Livingstone offered a wealth of knowledge and resources for families facing a newer NM diagnosis. The panelists shared their unmet needs as caregivers, discussed how to help children develop a positive identity, and addressed the often well-meaning but unhelpful comments they receive.
Meaningful Connections & Looking Ahead
The webinars fostered an atmosphere of openness and understanding, allowing participants to feel heard, supported, and less alone. It was clear that the conversations were deep, introspective, and incredibly meaningful for everyone involved.
The “Building Strength Together” series is far from over! We’re already looking forward to bringing you more insightful sessions in the coming months. We’re committed to making this series as valuable as possible, and we need your help.
We invite you to share your thoughts on topics you’d like to see covered in future webinars by completing this quick online survey:
Together, let’s continue building a stronger, more connected NM community!