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This is the real, raw, and all the feels of loving a child with disabilities. Episodes feature parent-guests, professionals, and solo episodes with host Madeline Cheney. Their authentic conversations don’t shy away from the strong and mixed emotions that often accompany medically-complex parenting. Parents listen in to feel seen, validated, and receive much-needed solidarity. Professionals working with disabled people listen in to better understand what is often going on under the surface fo ...
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show series
 
Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. Join me, Cheryl Lee, that radio chick, as I catch up with Ash at the electrifying Mundi Mundi Bash, where he performed in front of a roaring crowd of 14,000 music lovers. Hear Ash recount his musical journe…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. Get ready for a musical extravaganza as we bring you an episode packed with energy, excitement, and eclectic performances! We kick things off at the Mundy Mundy Bash in Broken Hill with none other than Furn…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. Ever wondered what makes an iconic Australian music festival truly unforgettable? Join me, Cheryl Lee, on the Still Rockin' It podcast as we recount the electrifying experience at the Mundy Mundy Bash in Br…
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It’s only been a year since we’ve heard from Maddison... but oh the things that can change in a year. Shortly after we initially recorded Maddison’s story, she and her husband separated. And the life that Maddison and her daughter knew before with a team of two parents working side by side and supporting each other, it just didn’t look the same any…
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Three years ago, I shared two episodes about my ownfamily: one where I discussed how I discovered that I was a carrier for my son’s condition, and another where I talked about how much my older daughter struggled with accepting her brother. In the years since, we’ve navigated difficult decisions and agonizing choices, and now, for once, we feel som…
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Ever wondered what it takes to stay relevant in the music industry for over three decades? Join us for an inspiring conversation with musical icons Vika and Linda Bull, who have been shaping the Australian music scene for 35 years. From their soulful beginnings singing with their Tongan mother in church to their breakthrough with the Black Sorrows,…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. What happens when a music legend's life takes an unexpected turn? Mark Seymour, from the iconic Hunters and Collectors, joins me, to share the deeply personal journey behind his latest album, "The Boxer." A…
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When we last spoke to Tiffany, she was still trying to find something that felt like solid ground after going through a divorce right before the birth of her medically complex daughter. She and her two children were living in a trailer and trying to answer the question: What now? In this catch-up episode, Tiffany shares how much haschanged in these…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. Ever wonder what fuels the fire behind a musical legend? On this episode of Still Rockin' It, we're thrilled to chat with Chris Cheney, the founding member of The Living End. From his humble beginnings teac…
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You know that thing that you can’t seem to live without,but also don’t want to live with most of the time? That seems to describe the relationship most of us have with the medically complex and rare disease Facebook group community. In this episode, we’re sharing all your thoughts,feelings, and frustrations with these crucial, life-saving, and yet …
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Kari was one of our very first guests almost four yearsago now. When we talked then, her daughter Sloan was still tiny, her husband was still alive, and the Covid-19 pandemic hadn’t happened yet. And now? Well, her entire world has changed in big and small ways. In this catch-up episode, Kari shares with us what it’sbeen like trying to relearn how …
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Each week, I share a new episode and guest, but Irealized that it’s been a long time since I’ve shared much of me, Madeline, with you. So today, I’m peeling back the curtain today and sharing all sorts of fun (and maybe a few not so fun) facts about me, my life, and my family. I’m sharing what motherhood looks like these days, traitsthat I do and d…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. What happens when rock legends come together to form a supergroup? Join us on the Still Rockin' Podcast as we welcome the iconic Russell Morris, who takes us behind the scenes of his latest musical venture,…
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There’s plenty of grief that we expect as parents of medically complex kids... But what about those little pangs that seem to come out of nowhere? In this mini episode, we’re sharing the surprising and often oddly specific things we grieve as parents of medically complex children, from missing out on birthdays to struggling at beach trips. This is …
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. What happens when two of Australia's rock and roll legends gig together? John Swan and Dave Gleeson prepare to hit the stage at The Gov. Discover the extraordinary journey of John, who defied the odds by fu…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. What happens when you mix a serendipitous airport meeting with a passion for music and storytelling? On this episode of the Still Rockin' It podcast, we welcome the charismatic Australian musical duo, Amand…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. Ever wondered what it’s like to start a legendary music career at 21? Join us as we chat with the iconic Australian entertainer, Don Spencer, whose journey from Tamworth to global stardom is nothing short o…
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After learning to accept and manage her younger daughter’s disabilities, Vanessa thought she had a pretty good understanding of what it was like to raise a child with rare medical issues. But a diagnosis of childhood lymphoma for her older daughter turned all those notions upside down. In this short catch up with Vanessa, she’s sharing the way that…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. What happens when a legendary rock and roll figure sits down to share his life's journey? Find out as Glenn Shorrock, the former lead singer of Little River Band, opens up about his extraordinary career and…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. What if the secret to resilience lies in the stories we tell and the music we share? Join us for an unforgettable conversation with legendary Australian country musician, Troy Cassar-Daley, as he reveals th…
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Birthdays, as we understand them societally, are a timefor celebrating, but it’s not so straightforward for all parents of medically complex kids. Birthdays can carry so much baggage, from feelings of isolationto reminders of difficult hospital stays to a resurgence of anticipatory grief. In this episode, we’re sharing all your thoughts and feeling…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. What happens when a band named after a former Prime Minister becomes a cornerstone of Australian indie music? Join us as we chat with Tim Freedman from the Whitlams about the band's storied journey from its…
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If you’re thinking about traveling with your disabled ormedically complex child this summer but you don’t know what you’ll need or how to plan, we’ve got your back! In this episode, we’re sharing the top ten things youneed to make traveling just a little easier and lighter. This quick episode will make your planning process so much easier. And for …
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. Ever wondered what it's like to be part of a legendary rock band that was founded five decades ago? Get ready to be inspired as we chat with Sam Brewster, bassist for The Angels, and explore the heartbeat o…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. How do rock legends like the Hoodoo Gurus keep their passion for music burning bright into their 40th year? Tune into this episode of the Still Rockin' It podcast as we sit down with Dave Faulkner, the char…
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If you’re thinking about traveling with your disabled ormedically complex child this summer but you don’t know what you’ll need or how to plan, we’ve got your back! In this episode, we’re sharing the top ten things youneed to make traveling just a little easier and lighter. This quick episode will make your planning process so much easier. And for …
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. Ever wondered how a skating rink performance could catapult a band to international fame? Join us as we sit down with Brian Canham, the charismatic lead singer of the iconic Australian 80s band Pseudo Echo.…
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When we first start out in this rare life, it’s often terrifying. Everything is coming at us so fast, and sometimes you have to wonder: does it ever get better? Do things ever even out? It might feel impossible in those scary early days, but looking back, many of us have found a new perspective since then. Today, I’m sharing thoughts from this comm…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. Ever wondered how a musician with no familial ties to music can rise to touring with rock legends? Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of John Stones Nixon, the dynamic bass player from Chocolate …
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We’re finally rounding out Season 9, and whata season it’s been. The topic of this season was relationships, and perhaps as expected, the episodes this season were weighty, tender, and so touching. And besides the production of the podcast, we were busy coming into our own with some big milestones for The Rare Life as a nonprofit with grant submiss…
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When you have a medically complex child, you probably have some realization that the experience you have with your child isn’t “typical.” But sometimes, it’s hard to understand just how different from the “norm” it was, until another child comes along – particularly one without disabilities or medical complexities. In this episode, Brianna, a mom o…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. When Deborah Conway rebelled against her father's wishes and joined a band, it was the start of a life long career. From the creation of the undeniably catchy "Man Overboard" with Do Re Mi, to her fearless …
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After Ashley Smith’s son Deacon was admitted to the NICU, and one thing after another cascaded out of control with his care, she found herself literally screaming in the nursery “THIS IS NOT MY PLAN!” While not all of us have screamed this out loud, so many of us have had a similar breaking point, where the weight of fear and grief and lost expecta…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. When the chords of "Power and the Passion" resonate, one can't help but be transported to a time of potent political statements wrapped in rock anthems. That's the kind of evocative power my guest, Jim Mogi…
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Nothing breeds resentment faster than one member of a romantic partnership feeling like they're pulling all the weight in one area of life. And when it comes to the parents of medically complex kids, that resentment can compound even faster, especially as the mental load of navigating medical care often falls onto one partner. (Let’s be real: it’s …
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. When Australian guitar virtuoso Ian Moss strums into the conversation, you know you're in for more than a few chords of wisdom. This episode's rhythmic narrative takes us on a tour with Ian as he recounts t…
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Before she had her son, Serena was already a pediatric SLP, business owner, and disability advocate who spent her time empowering families to understand and become more comfortable with their children’s disabilities. So, she was prepared for anything, or so she thought. But as it turns out, no amount of education or experience can prepare you for t…
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Friendship, especially with those who don’t have disabled children, gets more complicated once you’ve had your own child with disabilities. It’s not necessarily fair, but it doesn’t change the fact that we often end up interacting differently with friends we had before our children were born. In this episode of The Rare Life, I’m joined by Jillian …
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Making the decision to leave your partner is no small thing, but sometimes, the rifts that come from the stresses of life as medically complex parents can erode our relationships. So how do you know if divorce is an option, and where do you start if you’re exploring that possibility? In this episode, Amanda Griffith-Atkins joins me to share advice …
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When her son Jeremiah was first born, Aneesa had no medical training or experience. But as it became clear that something was out of the ordinary with Jeremiah’s health, she did what so many of us do when our kids need support: she started advocating and asking questions. Eventually through her research and advocacy, her son was diagnosed with a ra…
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As heart-breaking as it is, if you’ve been in the rare disease community for long enough, you probably know someone, maybe even someone close to you, who has lost a child. And because that potential reality looms large for so many of us, this loss can affect us as well. In this episode, Rose Watson, whose daughter Lavender has Trisomy 18, joins me …
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Have you ever been in a conversation with someone close to you only to be cut to your core by their offhand commentary about your disabled child, their medical issues, or the life you and your child have? Friend, you are not alone. In Ep 153 of The Rare Life, Amanda Griffith-Atkins, whose sone has Prader-Willis syndrome, joins us to address some of…
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Finding out your baby had a life-altering stroke in utero brings shock, heartache, and a whole lot of guilt. But when the medical trauma keeps coming after that initial diagnosis, year after year, hospital visit after hospital visit, there’s rarely time to work through all of those complicated feelings. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In Ep 152 of The Rare Life, Stephan…
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We all need friends... but not just any friends. We need friends who just get it and don’t need us to explain every little aspect of our life to understand. In short, we need friends who are also parents to disabled and medically complex children. But how do we find and make those friends? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In Ep 151 of The Rare Life, I sit down with Kari …
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. I couldn't help but feel the buzz of nostalgia as I sat down with the one and only Shannon Noll, whose voice has become synonymous with the Australian spirit. Celebrating an incredible 20 years since "That'…
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We talk all the time about our disabled children in this space... But what about their non-disabled siblings? In today's episode of The Rare Life, we're going to hear from them directly: about the good, the hard, the unexpected, and about just how much they love their disabled brothers and sisters. We heard from nearly thirty siblings, from toddler…
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Only two days left in the Family and Friends fundraiser, and while we’re overjoyed and awed at how successful this fundraiser has been, we’re still 10% away from our goal! If you haven’t joined in on this fundraiser yet, it’s not too late. You’d be amazed at what you can accomplish in 48 hours, so will you join us for this final sprint to the finis…
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Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians. When nostalgia intertwines with raw musical talent, you get the essence of Wesley Dean's incredible journey. Imagine the small-town charm of South Australia, where a young Wes Carr, as he was known then, st…
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Imagine spending years trying to get pregnant, following every protocol, and struggling through the heartache of not being able to build your family. Then, finally, after all the difficulty, you get to have two beautiful twin girls, and you think maybe, “This is it! The struggle is over!” But, because life isn’t always fair, you find out soon after…
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Less than a week into our Family and Friends fundraiser, and we have some super exciting news to share! If you haven’t joined in on this fundraiser yet, we’ve got a list of ways you can get involved, plus some helpful tips to make it all a little easier! Get more info at https://therarelife.org/fundraiser. Thank you so much, friends! Links: Join us…
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