Jadene talks with Kristin and Molly about events in Matt’s life that led her to be the advocate she is today. This episode dives into her experiences as a mother navigating the complexities of raising a child with multiple disabilities, highlighting the resilience of mothers and the profound love that drives them to seek better lives for their children.

About Jadene:

Jadene Ransdell has spent the past 51 years advocating for her son Matt and creating support systems for other caregivers along the way. As a young mother she worked to increase awareness of the need for community support for military families in Germany and helped establish Parent to Parent groups in Florida. When Matt faced an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she began online Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s support groups. Later, she created the National Down Syndrome Society’s Adult Summit. Jadene is also the author of Unwrapping the Gifts of Disability: A Mother's Reflections on Raising a Son with Down Syndrome and is currently writing her second book which is about Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s. Jadene is the recipient of many awards including the 2017 Spirit of the NTG, and the 2019 NDSS Stephen Beck Jr. Champion of Change.

Unwrapping the Gifts of Disability: A Mother's Reflections on Raising a Son with Down Syndrome

https://www.amazon.com/Unwrapping-Gifts-Disability-Reflections-Syndrome/dp/1922828955

Jadene’s blog https://www.agingwithdownsyndrome.com/blog

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