When Julie Edwards became a parent in March 2020, she was navigating chronic pain after cancer treatment, recovering from a difficult birth, and welcoming a baby during the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parenthood eventually led her to an unexpected ADHD diagnosis and a new understanding of the supports she needed to thrive.
In this first episode of the Disabled Parenthood Podcast, Julie and I talk about chronic illness, disability, neurodivergence, sensory overload, executive functioning, postpartum planning, and the invisible work of parenting. Together, we explore what it means to build a version of parenthood that fits your body, brain, and values—and why the question isn't simply whether disabled people can become parents, but what it takes for them to thrive.
Content note: This episode discusses cancer, chronic pain, postpartum mental health, and thoughts of suicide in the context of safety planning.
Episode notes, transcript & resources on the website at disabledparenthood.com.