What would parenthood with chronic illness look like?
For Melodie N. Blackwell, wife to a cancer fighter, mom of 2, serial entrepreneur, health advocate, & founder of Color of Crohn's and Chronic Illness Inc, parenthood with Crohn's disease looks like: playing action figures from bed, navigating pregnancy and miscarriage, including the kids in the conversation about chronic illness, teaching acceptance, disability pride and compassion through leading by example, and finding kid free, pain lowering ways to connect as a couple.
Throughout it all, Melodie emphasizes that being a parent is hard with or without chronic illness and chronically ill parents or people wanting to be parents are no lesser and no less equipped!
“If you really feel like you would like to be a parent. Don’t disqualify yourself. Just because you’re battling some challenges that might not present for others”- Melodie N. Blackwell
Episode Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/j5_39W7nn-I2jFg9Hq_MywlR4CM
Links:
Pod IG: @spooningwithspooniespod
Melodie’s IG: @melodienblackwell
COCCI IG: @colorofcci
COCCI:https://www.cocci.org/?fbclid=IwAR3BA42MscfqLrlY_QE4p-YikROFycBefwElPfWIstaEOafiBZ6gp9w2Zu4
Flex: Reinventing Work for A Smarter Happier Life by Annie Aurbach (mentioned at the beginning of the episode): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flex-annie-auerbach/1137264351
