Disabled Expectations

In this episode of Disabled Expectations, I sit down with John Boersma to talk about raising his 8-year-old son, Wrigley, who has Down syndrome. 
We get into the real impact on family life, marriage, and how John believes he’s been preparing his whole life for this role as a dad.
It’s an honest, grounded conversation about disability, purpose, and showing up for your family in ways that matter.
Disabled Expectations is a podcast for dads raising children with disabilities, focused on real stories and perspective.
Sponsored by Certain Hope Community.Contact: disabledexpectations@gmail.com

In this episode of Disabled Expectations, I sit down with John Gleason to talk about his journey raising his 30-year-old daughter Kendra, who has cerebral palsy.
The daily routines, the constant responsibility, and the weight that doesn’t get talked about enough.
John opens up about what day-to-day care truly looks like over time. We get into the thoughts that stay in a father’s head, the pressure to keep showing up, and how this path reshapes your perspective on everything—especially marriage. When the statistics say it’s going to be hard to last, we talk about what actually keeps a relationship together and moving forward.
Have a story to share or want to connect? Email: disabledexpectations@gmail.com
Sponsored by Certain Hope Community- Bringing families who have children with disabilities together through consistent, free events—so no one walks this journey alone. https://certainhopecommunity.org

In this episode of Disabled Expectations, I talk with Dan Hartwell, dad to Mikey, his 23-year-old son with autism.
Dan shares what it was like realizing his son had autism, how he responded when he heard the diagnosis, and the role faith played in shaping his perspective from the beginning. We talk about accepting reality as it is, not rushing to fix it or explain it away, and holding onto a steady truth that continues to surface throughout the conversation: it is still good.
This episode is an honest reflection on perspective, faith, and the way expectations can shift without losing hope or meaning.
🎙 Recorded at Barton Studio🤝 Sponsored by Certain Hope Community
Questions or feedback:📧 disabledexpectations@gmail.com

In this episode of Disabled Expectations, Andy sits down with Dan Schmidt, a dad whose 18-year-old daughter, Jessica, has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
Dan shares what it looks like to intentionally fight for his marriage and faithfully show up as a father in the disability world. This conversation centers on commitment, leadership, and the daily choices required to love well when life looks different than expected.
This is an honest and encouraging discussion for dads, parents, and couples navigating disability—focused on perseverance, presence, and the long road of fatherhood.
This episode is sponsored by Certain Hope Community, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families who have children with disabilities.
Filmed at Barton Studio.
For questions, feedback, or to connect with the podcast, email disabledexpectations@gmail.com

In this episode of Disabled Expectations, I sit down with Geof Coeling to talk about his daughter Vivian and the whirlwind of her early days. Vivian was diagnosed with KCNQ2-DEE, and Geof shares what it felt like to become a first-time dad in the middle of fear, confusion, and a thousand unanswered questions. We talk honestly about checking in with ourselves as dads—naming how we’re really doing and why that honesty matters.
This conversation will encourage you to keep showing up with courage and heart.
Sponsored by: Certain Hope Community 

Contact: disabledexpectations@gmail.com

In this episode, Mark Mulder shares the raw truth of raising two sons with Sanfilippo Syndrome (MPS III) — a degenerative disease that reshapes every part of family life. He opens up about the nonstop caregiving, the strain and strength of marriage under pressure, and where he finds the endurance to keep going.
Honest, hopeful, and deeply real — you don’t want to miss this conversation.
 
Sponsored by: Certain Hope CommunityContact: disabledexpectations@gmail.comLearn more and support Mark's Foundation: https://teamjarodteamcaleb.org  

In this episode of Disabled Expectations, we sit down with Mark Meier, father of Annika, whose journey began like so many others—until a diagnosis of medulloblastoma, a childhood brain tumor, changed everything. What followed was a long road of medical challenges, complications, and the reality of living with disabilities.
Mark shares with honesty and heart about the resilience of his daughter, the strength of his family, and the power of community rallying around one of their own. This is a story of perseverance, love, and the daily courage it takes to keep moving forward.
This episode is brought to you by Certain Hope Community, a nonprofit connecting families of children with disabilities (certainhopecommunity.org).
You can also learn more about Mark’s nonprofit, Anni’s Army, at annisarmy.org.
For questions, sponsorships, or guest inquiries, contact us at disabledexpectations@gmail.com.

Jason Blain is a dad to two boys living with MPS II (Hunter Syndrome), a rare and exhausting disease.
In this episode, we talk about what it's really like to raise kids with severe disabilities—no sugarcoating. Jason opens up about the emotional toll, the fight to keep his marriage strong, and how hardship and gratitude somehow coexist in his world.
He doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out—but what he shares is honest, raw, and hopeful. You’ll walk away challenged and encouraged
 
📧 Contact: disabledexpectations@gmail.com
🙌 Sponsored by Certain Hope Community
🎙️ Available on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts

In this episode, I talk with Bill Barton—dad to Lucas, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We get real about the painful weight of a degenerative diagnosis and how it doesn’t just affect the child, but reshapes the entire family. Bill shares what it's like to parent in a world where control slips away day by day, and how he's learning to show up with presence instead of answers.
We talk about the surprising strength that surfaces when you stop trying to fix everything—and start walking through it together. This is an honest look at fatherhood, faith, and the deep love that holds when nothing else does.
Brought to you by: Certain Hope Community- certainhopecommunity.org
Contact: disabledexpectations@gmail.com

Joel Keck joins me on Disabled Expectations to share his journey as a dad to Cade, who was born with Dandy-Walker and Joubert syndrome. We talk about life in the NICU for 22 days, the tough choices families face in times of crisis, and how fatherhood has reshaped his view of life, faith, and strength.
You’re going to like Joel — honest, real, and full of quiet strength.
 
Sponsored by: Certain Hope Community (certainhopecommunity.org).
Contact: disabledexpectations@gmail.com