In this special holiday episode of Parenting Children with Limb Differences, Kari and Ali wrap up an unforgettable 2025 and share a sneak peek of what’s coming in 2026. They kick things off with a candid, funny, and very real conversation about navigating the holiday season with young kids — the magic, the chaos, and the constant quest to find that elusive “just enough. The episode then shifts into a heartfelt reflection on one of the year’s biggest highlights: the 2nd Annual LLLDAM meetup at Brookfield Zoo. With more than 230 attendees, the event brought together new friends, longtime friends, and families from across the community. Kari and Ali share the emotional moment they looked at each other — eyes full of tears — realizing just how powerful and connected this community has become. They give a huge shout‑out to Rachel Walsh for sparking the zoo meetup tradition, along with Tarah, Sarah, Krystal, Rose, and Katie M., whose behind‑the‑scenes work made the day unforgettable. They also celebrate the many new friendships formed this year and the organizations who supported the event, including Brookfield Zoo, Moxie Adaptive, Shriners Children’s Hospital, and a mysteriously unnamed partner. Plus, gratitude to those who contributed to the goodie bags: GLASA, EazyHold, Hanger Clinic, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, and Amputee Coalition. And then — one of the biggest milestones of 2025. Kari and Ali share the exciting news that Parenting Children with Limb Differences officially became part of a larger movement with the founding of the Limb Difference Collective Foundation (LDCF) this summer. LDCF is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting parents and children with limb differences by fostering meaningful connections, promoting community‑driven initiatives, and providing accessible, empowering resources. You can even find LDCF listed in the IRS tax‑exempt organization database. The hosts highlight several major initiatives already underway, including LDCF’s commitment to organizing and funding local meetups — starting with support for the 3rd Annual LLLDAM Brookfield Zoo Meetup on April 25, 2026. They share details about sponsorship needs, from pavilion rental to food costs, and invite potential partners to reach out at 630‑403‑8076 or events@limbdifferencecollective.org. Listeners also get the inside scoop on LDCF’s newest project: the Hugs‑in‑a‑Box campaign, launching December 22. These thoughtfully curated care packages are designed to feel like a warm embrace for new parents and caregivers of children with limb differences across the U.S., offering comfort, confidence, and connection. Packages will be assembled on demand, with the first deliveries expected in January. Kari and Ali also discuss LDCF’s growing efforts to collaborate with hospitals, obstetricians, and maternal‑fetal medicine specialists — first locally, then nationally — to ensure families receive supportive, accurate, and empowering resources from the very beginning of their journey. The goal is simple and powerful: make limb difference resources easy to find, both online and in every doctor’s office. From there, the episode moves into a celebration of Season 3’s incredible guests and some jaw‑dropping Spotify Wrapped stats: massive audience growth, listeners tuning in from 15 countries, and a community that comments, shares, and shows up more than most podcasts out there. And yes — the dads episode made a very strong showing. With laughter, warmth, and plenty of tangents (because that’s who they are), this episode is a joyful thank‑you to the listeners who make this podcast what it is. Tune in for the celebration, stay for the sneak peeks, and get excited for new episodes coming in February.
