A special episode for The Skies We’re Under with Carrie Grant and Samantha Flynn, hosts of the Cerebra Podcast The Calm in the Complicated.

As a part of Cerebra’s six-episode series, Rachel joined the conversation to explore the overwhelming life admin families face when raising a child with a brain condition. Together Carrie, Sam and Rachel unpack the emotional weight of endless paperwork and share practical, compassionate strategies to help parents feel less alone.

This episode offers honest conversation, reassurance and practical strategies for managing the hidden second job that so often comes with parenting in the SEND world. A validating listen for any parent feeling overwhelmed by the systems surrounding their child.

The episode covers:

1. The emotional toll of constant paperwork and appointments
2. EHCPs, assessments and advocating within complex systems
3. Coordinating healthcare, education and social care support
4. Managing information overload and staying organised
5. Why parent carers need support too

You’ll also hear lived experiences, practical advice and compassionate reflections to help families feel less alone while navigating the day-to-day realities of raising a child with a brain condition.

With special thanks to all at Cerebra for this collaboration – you can find the rest of the brilliant Calm in the Complicated episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Connect Cerebra:

Find out more: cerebra.org.uk

Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/cerebracharity/

Get in touch: calm@cerebra.org.uk

Follow Rachel Wright @bornatRightTime or connect with her https://www.bornattherighttime.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-wright-0610509a/

Connect with Mike Richmond@tutor_doctor_nwleeds

www.linkedin.com/in/mistermiketd

Useful Resources:

SENDIASS: https://www.sendiass.org.uk

IPSEA (education rights and SEND law): https://www.ipsea.org.uk/

Contact (support for families with disabled children): https://contact.org.uk/

Thanks for listening and being a part of our podcast community. It would make our day if you could like, follow and review the podcast wherever you listen.  

 For questions, disability hacks or to share your story, you can email TSWUpodcast@gmail.com - we would love to hear from you.

You can leave a message with us in a number of ways:    Firstly you can leave a message using Speakpipe here: https://www.speakpipe.com/TSWUpodcast  (Please note calls need to be limited to 90 seconds)    You can send us a voice note from your phone to our email address at tswupodcast@gmail.com  Or, if the thought of hearing your own voice gives you ‘the ick’, then send us an email to tswupodcast@gmail.com Whatever way you choose to get in touch, we really want to hear your thoughts, views, musings, rants and confessions (we love a confession!)   There's still so much to discuss and share with our wonderful listeners, the families of people with complex disabilities and the many practitioners that support us. Moving forward we need your help to keep producing new episodes – please like and share the podcast with others.