Too Peas In A Podcast Mandy Hose and Kate Mulholland toopeasinapodcast

Kate and Mandy chat with Amanda, Pea mum of two daughters, a carer for her dad, a teacher of one day and a wonderful carer. Amanda introduces us to her family and youngest daughter Bella who has autism and an intellectual disability. Bella is also our own Molly's BFF. Amanda shares with us about the early years with Bella, her mainstream beginning in school and her move to specialist schooling after the school encouraged the move. Bella has thrived in these schools and is in a core friendship group of 4 friends who have done some amazing and fun things together.
Amanda is a woman who loves to study, and was doing her thesis during Melbourne's COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 with her family at home. Experiencing overwhelm, Amanda called Carer Gateway which is Australian federal and state government-funded program that provides emotional and practical services and support for carers.
Amanda received practical help from Carer Gateway, and so did her eldest daughter who was also studying her VCE. Amanda now works for them as the Victorian Partnerships Lead and her job is to talk to organisations to build partnerships with Carer Gateway. Amanda absolutely loves this work and sees it as a great privilege to use her lived experience as well as her skills to improve the lives of carers.
Thank you Amanda for chatting with us.
Plus:  
Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas LoveJoin our Facebook HangoutFind us on YouTubeBuy our book The Invisible Life Of Us!Melbourne forecast for Friday May 10  - Showers easing, 18 degrees

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Mandy and Kate chat to Alex, Pea mum of 3 sons and a very interesting person. Alex shares with us about the birth of her son Harry who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome on the same day he became very unwell and was transferred to intensive care at another hospital. During this time in hospital, Harry was also diagnosed with Hischsprungs Disease, which is a condition of the large intestine.
Once Harry was stable he came home and Alex began learning about his conditions.
Harry had early intervention and eventually went to his local mainstream primary school where he thrived and has continued in mainstream schooling for secondary school too. Harry is a community man and has played many sports for his local clubs, like his brothers and is also an athlete with Special Olympics where he has represented Victoria at the National Games in 2022. Harry was also given the honour of being in a TV ad with Kenny Jacobson in collaboration with Special Olympics and IGA. Harry loved this experience and Alex talks about the notorious Goat Curry. Watch it here.

Alex studied disability and has spent her career in the disability sector. Her current role is with the Victorian Electoral Commission and is the democracy ambassador in the education inclusion team. Her team delivers electoral education and information to priority communities including people with disabilities. They run voter education sessions and go to adult services, TAFE's and specialists schools and run incursions catered to the group's needs. They cover who can vote, why voting is important etc and run a mock election. Alex also speaks to families and carers. Alex is passionate about voting as a human right and what better person for the job!
Thanks for spending time with us Alex, you taught us a lot!
Plus:  
Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas LoveJoin our Facebook HangoutFind us on YouTubeBuy our book The Invisible Life Of Us!Leave us a speakpipe Melbourne forecast for Thursday May 9  - Cloudy,  19 degrees

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Kate and Mandy chat to power pea mum and daughter duo Sue and Mia.  Mia has Okur-Chung neurodevelopmental syndrome (OCNDS) and is a Special Olympics athlete and admin assistant. Pea mum Sue is also a peafessional Maternal and Child Health Nurse. 
Sue and Mia talk about Mia’s early years, including her diagnosis, early intervention and school. Mia also talks about swimming for Special Olympics, doing triathlons with Inclusive Sports Training and the opportunities she’s had to travel overseas. Mia also recently moved out of home and lives independently with a housemate and with extra support - and is loving it! She’s also working 3 days a week as an admin assistant in a disability organisation. 
Sue also talks about her experience as a midwife and Maternal and Child Health Nurse, and the opportunity she has to support families and have an impact on the little person in their lives. She also talks about the experience of being a Pea and a peafessional and the extra skills it gives her to support new Pea families. 
Thank you for sharing your story with us Sue and Mia! 
Plus:  
Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas LoveJoin our Facebook HangoutFind us on YouTubeBuy our book The Invisible Life Of Us!Leave us a speakpipe Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us!Melbourne forecast for Thursday May 8  - Partly cloudy,  18 degrees

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It's International Pea Week, Day 2 and Mandy and Kate chat to Kelly, ( in their nighties gifted from Kelly ) a mum of 4 and the owner and founder of Comfort on the Spectrum.
Kelly introduces us to her family and her son Max who has a diagnosis of Norrie Disease which means Max has been blind from birth. He was also diagnosed autistic at 8 years old. Max spent lots of his younger years learning skills including braille and was in mainstream primary school. This meant a lot of advocacy for Kelly. For secondary schooling, Max attends a specialist school where he is thriving. Kelly began Comfort on the Spectrum in covid lockdown Melbourne, due to Max having a limited amount of clothing that he preferred to wear. Kelly's mum made the prototype and Kelly now has the clothing manufactured overseas to access the bamboo and the unique flat seams, that are unable to to made here in Australia. Kelly is so proud of her products and know that they have changed many a persons life. She is excited by her new design which is a hoodie with a chewy tube attached.
You can find Kelly at www.comfortonthespectrum.com.au.
Please thanks Kelly for chatting with us.
Plus:  
Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas LoveJoin our Facebook HangoutFind us on YouTubeBuy our book The Invisible Life Of Us!Leave us a speakpipe Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us!Melbourne forecast for Tuesday May 7 - Partly cloudy, 17 degrees
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For Day 1 of International Pea Week, Mandy and Kate chat with Chloe - the self-described all-rounder and big heavy metal fan!  Chloe is the proud sister of a brother with autism, she’s also a disability support worker and a volunteer with the Melbourne West Special Olympics team.  Chloe’s life mission is to pay it forward and make the world a better place!
Mandy met Chloe while she was volunteering as Team Support at the 2022 Special Olympic National Games and became a fan of her big heart, commitment and enthusiasm in supporting the athletes night and day. Chloe chats a bit about her childhood growing up with her brother, how much she enjoys the flexibility of support work and the opportunities she’s had to coach, volunteer and travel to Europe through the Special Olympics. 
Chloe encourages anyone under age 30 to consider a career in support work, as every day is different, you’re out in the community rather than stuck behind a screen and you come home knowing that you’re the reason for making someone else’s day. 
Thanks for chatting with us Chloe!
Plus:  
Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas LoveJoin our Facebook HangoutFind us on YouTubeBuy our book The Invisible Life Of Us!Leave us a speakpipe Help spread the love for Too Peas by rating and reviewing us!Melbourne forecast for Monday May 6  - Cloud clearing, 19 degrees 



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One of our last snap peas ... we love to hear your beautiful speak ("speed") pipes. Thank you for sending them peas.


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