Rarely Familiar

12/10/2025

Register today for Gillette's annual holiday vent for current patients Thursday Dec 11 10:30-1. We love how Gillette is making the hospital a place for joyful memories, too! https://www.gillettechildrens.org/get-involved/attend-an-event/t.c-and-bullseyes-merry-mountain

12/01/2025

Starting December 1st, Frattallone's Hardware & Garden invites you to Round Up for Holiday Miracles! This holiday season, when you round up or make a donation at the register of your local Frattallone's, your donation will benefit Gillette Children's (or Ridgeview Foundation at the Waconia location) and help provide life-changing care and support for children with bone, brain and movement conditions.

Find your local Frattallone's - https://frattallones.com/locations/
Donate to Round Up for Holiday Miracles here - https://gillette.mn/frattallones

11/27/2025

Fantastic advice from Center for how to help kids stay regulated during the over-stimulation of the holiday season.

We will add, if your child has physical disability as well or medical complexity, things can be extra challenging. We see you and all your hand sanitizer! Our favorite BTW is the 3M one with lotion https://a.co/d/61o5Nao) What's yours? Hold/flu season and all the extra holiday gatherings can be tough.

And remember, it is ok to stay home, too. Your family will get over it.

11/24/2025

New Episode available! Jen and Haley had the privilege to speak with Katie Sherman—a mom of four, physician assistant, artist, and soon-to-be med student. Katie shares her journey of balancing personal passions with the realities of raising a medically complex child, and how acceptance, resilience, and community have shaped her path.

Tune in for an honest conversation about what we’ve learned about:

✨ Letting go of expectations
✨ Finding joy in the midst of challenges
✨ Pursuing dreams at any stage of life

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or just need a dose of inspiration, this episode is for you!

Listen now on Apple or Spotify (search Rarely Familiar) or watch on YouTube. Link to podcast page in bio.

11/22/2025

This might be the single greatest gift guide I've ever seen, 69 pages of adaptive ideas for our kids! With easy shopping links and exclusive discount codes, Cerebral Palsy Foundation Accessible Holiday Gift Guide takes the guesswork out of gifting so you can focus on what matters most: celebrating together.https://cpresource.org/sites/www/files/2025-11/2025%20CPF%20Accessible%20Holiday%20Gift%20Guide.pdf

11/20/2025

Got kids age 13-18 approaching healthcare transition? SAVE THE DATE Monday Dec 1st, 12-1pm for the second of four important discussions in this series. It will be tough to follow the amazing presentation in October with Father/Son duo Tim and Hunter Markel, the bar was set pretty high for some lively discussion!

Next up is 'Putting the GOOD in Goodbye' with Boston Children's Susan Shanske. Register through Gillette Children's Events page or directly at: https://iecho.org/public/program/PRGM17483769888858LFTDIVNAI

11/18/2025

TONIGHT at First Ave, benefitting The Arc Minnesota!!!!

On November 18, 2025 at the 7th St Entry in Minneapolis, Bernadette Spray.

11/14/2025

🎙️ New episode alert! We’re joined by Katrina—advocate, podcast host, and disability champion—to break down what ableism really means and how it shows up in everyday life. From personal stories to practical advice, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who cares about inclusion and empathy.

Tune in to Rarely Familiar and join us as we boldly challenge ableism together!

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

10/26/2025

After a successful emergency craniectomy (brain surgery where they remove part of the skull to relieve pressure on the brain due to swelling), Julian’s journey was far from over. He spent months in rehab relearning how to walk and reclaiming his independence. Jen and he family navigated the complexities of FMLA, short-term disability, and the emotional toll of crisis. Through it all, they discovered the importance of self-care, documentation, and clear communication with medical teams.

Julian’s story is one of hope. Against the odds, he walked out of the hospital three months later—smiling, laughing, and ready to embrace life again.