Water Prairie Chronicles

03/09/2026

"I felt like I was drowning while the rest of the world kept swimming."

Have you ever felt that way? That’s the reality of life when a sudden medical crisis hits, and the "expected" life you planned suddenly vanishes.

This week on the podcast, I had a raw, unfiltered conversation with author John Fela about the things we usually hide—the marital strain, the loneliness, and the fear. This is Part 1 of a two-part series, and I think it’s a conversation every parent in our community needs to hear.

You don’t have to carry the weight of these "hidden" struggles by yourself.

🎙️ Listen to Episode 147:
The Tale of Two Parking Lots: Navigating Marriage and Crisis with John Fela
https://waterprairie.com/2026/03/06/special-needs-parenting/

[img description] A silhouette of a person looking out a window that is covered in drops of water from the rain with the message, "Have you ever felt like you were drowning while the rest of the world kept swimming?" written across the bottom.

11/27/2025

This beautiful spread is just a small part of what makes today special. More than the food, it’s the quiet moments, the laughter, and the unconditional love that truly fill our hearts. To all the parents out there who pour so much into their families every single day, I wish you a truly blessed Thanksgiving. 🙏🍽️

[image description] A framed oil painting of a traditional Thanksgiving Day dining table filled with turkey and other dishes.

11/13/2025

"They can drown me, but I'm not being fourth." That was Evan Wilkerson's mantra in the final meters of his World Championship race. But his biggest lesson wasn't about pushing harder—it was about knowing when to rest.
New episode live now on Water Prairie Chronicles or on YouTube.
Part 1 of 3. 🥉



[image description] Evan Wilkerson bends his head as he is awarded a bronze medal during the 2025 Singapore World Paralympic Swimming Championship meet. Text under the photo reads, "I'm Not Getting 4th!"

11/11/2025

What This Blind Swimmer Did Before Winning Bronze Will Inspire You

Paralympic swimmer Evan Wilkerson shares the powerful mindset shift that took him from 4th place in morning prelims to bronze medal that night in Singapore. 🥉

His approach to handling pressure and self-doubt applies directly to parenting challenges we all face.

Part 2 drops soon - Evan's guide dog story and what every dog owner needs to know about working service dogs 🐕‍🦺

Full interview on YouTube 👉

What helps YOU push through when you're feeling fourth place in parenting? 👇

09/23/2025

What if the answer to your child's communication struggles is simpler than you think? We sat down with Luba Patlakh, founder of , to talk about the power of early intervention and why your parental gut is your best guide. She shares an incredible story about a child's breakthrough with selective mutism and gives us a clear roadmap for navigating speech therapy. Check out Luba's full story in Episode 138!

Episode Webpage: https://waterprairie.com/2025/09/22/early-speech-therapy/
Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4JMcjAv__v0



[image description] Text over image of a child getting a bandage on their finger, "If they really needed something or they were injured, how would they tell you?"

09/18/2025

I'm happy Water Prairie was able to be part of such a good cause! HD Reach is a great resource for individuals and families affected by Huntington's disease (HD) in North Carolina. Be sure to check out what they're doing to provide support, education, and care management.

Water Prairie Chronicles

08/28/2025

Parenting a child with disabilities can be a journey of 'what if.' What if they need me forever? This week on the podcast, we're talking about how to prepare your child for independence, one small step at a time.



[img description] The words, "What if?" in the center of a page covered with small doodles.

08/27/2025

This week on the podcast, we're discussing a topic that is close to the heart of every parent of a child with a disability: independence. We often worry about what will happen to our children when they're older, but the truth is, the journey to independence starts now. Join us as we talk with authors Kristin Lombardi and Christine Drew about how to prepare your child for adulthood, no matter their age or abilities. They provide a compassionate, step-by-step guide to building life skills and reducing your own stress. Listen now to learn why it's never too late to start.

Click here to listen or watch: https://waterprairie.com/2025/08/24/independence/



[img description] Is your child ready for independence? Featuring special guests: Kirstin Lombardi, MA and Christine Drew, PhD. Water Prairie Episode #134

08/08/2025

What does it really take to be an independent college student who is blind?

We’re so excited to welcome back Olivia Wilkerson, who shares an honest look at her college experience. She opens up about the tough moments—like being overwhelmed in a crowded dining hall—and the triumphs, like finding her perfect academic path.

Her advice for young students is a must-listen for any parent. Listen to the full episode and share your thoughts in the comments!

🎥 https://youtu.be/LA2DAy9ZhU0
💻 https://waterprairie.com/2025/08/08/blind-college-student/

07/29/2025

If you’ve ever looked at your child’s life and thought,
"This isn’t what I pictured for them"...
You’re not alone.
But maybe — just maybe — your child doesn’t feel that loss the same way.
Maybe they’re already living their version of joy.
The grief we carry?
It’s often ours.
And it’s okay to let it go.
🤍 I created a free mindfulness guide to help parents find peace in these moments — Get your FREE Mindfulness e-Book here: https://waterprairie.com/calm

Tag someone who needs this reminder today.
________________________________________



Slide 1: If you’re a parent who still grieves the life you thought your child would have… Read this.
Slide 2: You imagined their life one way. And then came the diagnosis, the label, the unexpected.
Slide 3: Suddenly, the future you pictured disappears. And you start grieving a life they’ll never live.
Slide 4: Your child? They don’t grieve the same future. They only know their life — the one they’re living.
Slide 5: They’re not comparing it to a version that never happened. We are.
Slide 6: What you’re carrying isn’t wrong. It’s real. But it’s okay to set it down. And see your child’s life for the good it already holds.
Slide 7: This is the kind of shift I help parents work through. Tap the link in bio for a free mindfulness guide made for moments like this. Follow .Prairie on Instagram and Water Prairie Chronicles on YouTube for support rooted in reality— and hope.

07/28/2025

No one talks about this part of parenting.
Not in doctor’s offices. Not in school meetings.
And definitely not on social media.

But it’s real:
The quiet grief of letting go of the life you imagined for your child.
It doesn’t mean you don’t love them — it means you’re human.

And you’re not alone in this.
🧠 I put together a free mindfulness guide for parents in this exact place. It’s in my bio if you want it.
💬 Share this with someone who needs to feel seen today.



Slide 1: If you’ve ever grieved the life your child could’ve had… You’re not alone.
Slide 2: No one tells you that the hardest part of parenting a child with a disability isn’t always the diagnosis. It’s letting go of the version of their future you imagined.
Slide 3: Before they were even born, you pictured everything: School. Friends. Milestones. And suddenly, the picture changes.
Slide 4: Your child may be adjusting just fine… But you’re grieving a life that never existed. And that grief is real.
Slide 5: You’re not doing this wrong. You’re not a bad parent. You’re just… human. And this is part of the process.
Slide 6: Thousands of other parents have felt this same quiet grief. You are not alone in this. And you don’t have to carry it silently.
Slide 7: Want support that meets you where you are? Tap the link in bio for a free guide to help you breathe through this season. Follow .Prairie on instagram and water prairie chronicles on youtube for more support like this.

07/09/2025

Her daughter came home crying.
She didn’t get in trouble.
She just… didn’t know what to say to fix something with a friend.
And the other kids didn’t either.
They just drifted away from each other in silence.

That’s when it hit me:
We teach our kids ABCs, tying their shoes, even how to share…
but not what to say when feelings get hurt.
And then Fawn Friends came along —
A little way to help big hearts learn how to come back to each other.

🎧 We talked about it on Water Prairie this week, and it’s a conversation worth having.
➤

💬 What’s something you wish you were taught as a kid about friendship + conflict?

[image description] My daughter came home crying. She didn’t get in trouble. She just … didn’t know what to say to fix something with a friend. And the other kids didn’t either. They just drifted away from each other in silence. That’s when it hit me: (read caption)