31: Brave Together Podcast - Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell and Dr. Zoe Shaw - Episode 3131: Brave Together Podcast - Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell and Dr. Zoe Shaw - Episode 31
UK Health Radio Podcast
Therapist and mum Amanda Griffith-Atkins talks with host Susanna Peace-Lavelle about her book for parents of disabled children, focusing on self-compassion, grief and the realities of caregiving. The conversation highlights emotional support, identity beyond caregiving and practical comfort for families living with high-support needs.
42:52•2 Sept 2026
Caring for Yourself While Raising a Disabled Child with Amanda Griffith-Atkins
Episode Overview
- Parents of disabled children benefit from a resource that speaks directly to their emotional experience, not just practical logistics.
- Self-care is a personal right, not simply a duty owed to children, and it starts with practising self-compassion in everyday moments.
- Recurring grief appears at different stages of a child’s life, and naming it can help parents feel less alone and ashamed.
- Independence may look different for disabled children, and celebrating small, meaningful moments of autonomy matters.
- Toxic positivity and "at least" comments often reflect others’ discomfort; parents don’t have to accept these as the measure of their situation.
“You are allowed to take care of yourself because you deserve to be taken care of.”
Experience the emotional and inspiring tales of recovery as Brave Together turns the spotlight on parenting disabled children and caring for yourself in the process. This chat between host Susanna Peace-Lavelle and licensed marriage and family therapist Amanda Griffith-Atkins centres on Amanda’s book, *How to Handle More Than You Can Handle: Caring for Yourself While Raising a Disabled Child*.
You’ll hear Amanda talk about why she felt compelled to write a “companion” for parents living with high-support needs, drawing on her own life as mum to three boys, including Asher, who has Prader–Willi syndrome. She explains how her Instagram community showed her just how many parents needed a space to say, without shame, "some days I felt like a terrible mom" and still be met with understanding.
The episode walks through the book’s three sections: **Parent Meets Kid** (early days, NICU experiences and medical systems), **Kid Meets World** (independence versus interdependence, puberty and adulthood), and **Taking Care of Yourself**, where themes of anxiety, marriage, growing your family and personal identity come to the front.
Amanda is clear that self-care isn’t just a duty to your child; as she puts it, "You are allowed to take care of yourself because you deserve to be taken care of." There’s also frank talk about toxic positivity – those "at least" comments and "I’m so sorry" reactions – and why our culture struggles to sit with difficult feelings without trying to fix them.
Self-compassion, gentle humour and very ordinary moments (like finally reading a book by the pool while your child splashes safely nearby) make this conversation feel like catching up with a close friend who truly gets it. If you’re raising a child with disabilities or unique needs and craving validation, practical comfort and a softer inner voice, this episode offers a steady hand on your shoulder.
What might change for you if you treated yourself with the same kindness you offer everyone else?
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