214: Sacrifice, Advocacy, Joy: Raising a Son with End Stage Kidney Disease - The Ransome Family's Story

214: Sacrifice, Advocacy, Joy: Raising a Son with End Stage Kidney Disease - The Ransome Family's Story

Author: Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist April 10, 2024 Duration: 42:41

"Sometimes it's really therapeutic though to remember all that you have gone through because I feel like there are times when we look at each other and I'm like how did we get here?" -Tayler Ransome

We're grateful for our sponsor for this episode, Nestle Health Science, and are thrilled to share their incredible MyTubeFeeding.com/ChildLifeOnCall website, your go-to online resource for valuable information and support.

In this episode, Katie Taylor welcomes the Ransome family, known to many as the Ransome Fam on social media, where they share their daily life and the challenges of managing their son Sully's end-stage kidney disease.

From their initial shock and learning curve as medical parents to the powerful advocacy that led them to seek better care, the Ransomes' story is a beacon of resilience and hope. Their journey underscores the importance of community, the power of advocating for your child and finding joy amidst life's toughest challenges.

Key Insights:

  • The critical role of advocacy in securing the best possible care for your child, is illustrated by the Ransome's transition to a more capable hospital.

  • How establishing a disciplined routine for medical care fosters a sense of normalcy and control.

  • The unexpected journey of becoming medical parents, including the steep learning curve and the importance of specific communication with family and friends.

  • Discovering inner strength, resilience, and the ability to find joy in the most challenging circumstances.

"Seeing how ceaseless his joy is... reminds me every day of the strength and beauty in our life, no matter the circumstances." – Tayler Ransome

Resources and Tips Shared in the Episode:

  • The Ransome Family's Daily Routine: A glimpse into managing home dialysis and medical care with love and dedication.

  • Advocating for Your Child in the Healthcare System: Tips from the Ransome's experience on how to navigate healthcare providers and ensure your child receives the best possible care.

  • Coping with the Unexpected: Strategies for dealing with the initial shock of a diagnosis and finding support.

We want you to join our community!

  • Follow us on Instagram @ChildLifeOnCall for more stories, support, and inspiration.

Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or simply interested in learning more about child life, this podcast is for you.

Learn 6 Positions to Help Kids Feel Comfortable and Safe

Here are some of our favorite affiliates that help promote positive coping for kids:

10% off Coping Kits and other select merchandise at Present Over Perfect

Meet the host: 

Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.

Instagram.com/childlifeoncall

Facebook.com/childlifeoncall

linkedin.com/in/kfdonovan

 

 


Hosted by Katie Taylor, a Certified Child Life Specialist, Inside the Children's Hospital is a quiet space for the often unspoken journey of pediatric illness. This podcast moves beyond the clinical to explore the human heart of the hospital, offering conversations that feel more like a shared cup of coffee in a waiting room than a formal interview. You'll hear directly from parents and caregivers who articulate the complex mix of fear, resilience, and love they experience, while pediatric nurses, doctors, and therapists provide their unique professional perspectives on fostering healing and normalcy. The discussions naturally delve into the practicalities of family life disrupted, the emotional weight carried by all involved, and the small, profound moments of hope that sustain people. It’s a resource for anyone connected to a child’s health challenge, whether you're a family member seeking solidarity, a friend looking to understand, or simply someone interested in the intersection of medicine and humanity. Each episode aims to validate the listener's own feelings, whether they are in the midst of a crisis or reflecting on one, by presenting these authentic narratives without sugarcoating yet always with profound compassion. Tune in to find a sense of community and a deeper appreciation for the delicate, powerful work happening within those walls.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Inside the Children's Hospital
Podcast Episodes
From Pharmacist to Mom: Navigating Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:48
What happens when the healthcare professional becomes the parent sitting on the other side of the diagnosis? In this episode, Katie Taylor sits down with Melissa Apa—a clinical pharmacist, diabetes educator, and mom—to s…
A NICU Dad Story: Life After a 25 Week Premature Birth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:52
"I kept telling her, 'We've got this.' And inside, I had no clue what was coming next." What does it look like to be "the strong one" when your world is falling apart? In this episode, Katie Taylor sits down with Jared M…
Trisomy 13: Challenging the Narrative and Choosing Hope [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:45
What happens when a diagnosis labeled "lethal" doesn't tell the full story? In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital, Katie Taylor sits down with Nicole, a mom of five, who shares her daughter Charlotte's journe…
NICU, Trach and Home Care: One Family's Journey to Stability [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:41
What does it look like when life changes in an instant—and a family learns to navigate the unimaginable? In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital, Katie Taylor sits down with Marah, a mom of four, who shares her…
When a Parent Has Cancer: What Kids Understand Before We Say It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:03
What happens when your child already senses something life-changing—before anyone has found the words to say it out loud? When serious illness enters a family, children often understand more than we realize. And for care…