Awaken Hope With Brandi Harrington
Join Brandi and me as we discuss her journey as a children’s author, navigating medical challenges in her family, and practical ways to support others in crisis.
Episode 1
Episode 2
Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Amazon Music | TuneIn | Brushwood Media Network
About Brandi
Brandi is a dedicated wife, mother of three, children’s author, and full-time lecturer at a local university. Her journey into advocacy and writing began with a personal challenge that reshaped her life. When her youngest child was 3 ½, he was diagnosed with focal seizures and cerebral palsy. This was due to a lung mass at birth. Despite being given only a 1% chance of survival at birth, her son miraculously beat the odds. Inspired by her son’s resilience, Brandi dedicated her life to helping others.
Driven by her son’s resilience, Brandi has made it her mission to support families facing similar diagnoses. She writes heartfelt children’s stories that offer comfort and understanding. Drawing from her own experiences, Brandi aims to provide hope and practical advice. In addition, she is an active speaker at local events. There, she shares her family’s story and offers guidance to others. Her talks focus on healing, resilience, and community support.
Brandi’s professional life as a university lecturer complements her advocacy work. It allows her to educate and inspire young minds. Meanwhile, she balances her roles as a mother and author. Her dedication underscores her belief in the power of perseverance, love, and the written word. Through her speeches and books, Brandi strives to empower parents and caregivers. She helps them find strength and solace in difficult times.
Episode Summary:
Brandi Harrington shares her journey as a children’s author, addressing medical challenges in her family. She became an author to help her child with special needs and process her own grief. Brandi wrote a children’s book to help siblings understand their brother’s disability, providing practical ways to support people in crisis.
Reflecting on her experiences, Brandi highlights how small gestures can significantly help during difficult times. Practical helps like groceries, meals, and entertainment for children can support people in crisis. She shared how people showed up during a difficult time, including mowing the lawn and running errands. Brandi emphasizes listening to people’s needs and showing up in practical ways; even small gestures matter.
Brandi has published three children’s books (with two more in the works), including “Charlie and Chase,” “Yikes, My Mom is on Bedrest,” and “Wiggles and Shakes: Bennett Learns About Epilepsy.” Her books cover topics such as disability, pregnancy, and epilepsy, and are available on Amazon and her website. She plans to publish two more books on fine motor challenges and explaining leg braces to classmates. Brandi discusses her personal experiences with her child’s epilepsy and cerebral palsy, aiming to educate families.
Brandi recounts her son’s premature birth and subsequent medical challenges, including near death, surgery, and a cerebral palsy diagnosis. She shares how faith helped her cope, with support from medical professionals and the community. Her son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy at 3.5 years old. Brandi struggled to find resources to help her son and his siblings understand his complexities. She discusses her grief, emotional processing, and the importance of seeking help and allowing oneself to grieve.
Brandi and Kandiee discuss empathy, compassion, and understanding towards people with disabilities. They share personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and celebrating differences. Brandi hopes her books inspire change, ignite hope in families, and encourage learning about disabilities.
Connect with Brandi:
Click the one of the buttons below to check out Brandi's Book Store and explore some of her "go-to" books, tools, toys, and websites she's
recommended over the years.
Want to be a guest on Awaken Hope?
Click the button below to reach out now!
Uncover the story behind the Awaken Hope Show and learn how it all began! Click the button below to explore our journey and discover exciting sponsorship opportunities.
