In this episode of The Lost Child Podcast, we sit down with Jonathan Cottor, father to Ryan and one of the driving forces behind Ryan House, a place created to support families caring for children with complex and life-limiting conditions. Jonathan shares Ryan's story, the realities of parenting through profound medical challenges, and how grief and love became the foundation for a mission that now serves countless families through pediatric respite care, palliative support, and end-of-life care in a home-like setting.

We also talk about the bigger picture, why respite care is so rare in the United States, what families need most, and how organizations like Ryan House (and partners in hospice/palliative care) can change what support looks like for parents and siblings walking this road. Whether you're a grieving parent, a caregiver, a friend who wants to show up better, or someone learning what pediatric hospice and respite care really means, this conversation will move you and educate you.

Learn more / support the mission by clicking on the Ryan House link.

Ryan House

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📌 Trigger note: This episode includes discussion of child loss, serious illness, and grief. #TheLostChildPodcast #RyanHouse #RespiteCare #PediatricHospice #GriefSupport #ChildLoss

In Episode 38 of The Lost Child Podcast, we sit down with Jeanette, whose son Ben tragically stopped breathing in front of her at home. Paramedics arrived and rushed Ben to the hospital; subsequently, he was transferred to a trauma hospital. Unfortunately, Ben passed away from the incident. It was determined that Ben had croup, which caused his airway to close.

After his passing, Jeanette turned her grief into something powerful. She started small, giving away books and creating small art pieces, which eventually became known as "Ben's Bells." These bells are now distributed worldwide, with their own website sharing Ben's story and their community impact.

Jeanette's journey didn't stop there. She returned to the University of Arizona to study kindness and now serves as the Director of the Science of Kindness Community Collective. She holds a PhD and continues to explore how kindness affects our lives, focusing not on the outcomes but the actions of kindness itself. Jeanette's perspective on life, surrendering to the unknown, and transforming tragic experiences into purpose is truly inspiring.

In this episode, Jeanette shares her story of surviving, thriving, and finding fulfillment in the aftermath of unimaginable loss.

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Resources mentioned in the episode: Ben's Bells

Grief support groups: https://tunidito.org/

A book Jeanette recommends: Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss

StoryCorps Website

This episode will leave you inspired, reminding us all that it's possible to thrive even after the most difficult tragedies. Tune in and hear Jeanette's incredible story.

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Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://BetterHelp.com/LCP (Sponsored by BetterHelp)

In Episode 37 of The Lost Child Podcast, we sit down with Kristine, the wife of Ernie, to hear her powerful and heartbreaking story. Kristine and Ernie were involved in a tragic traffic accident on their way home from Lake Powell. Kristine was hit by a vehicle, sustaining multiple injuries and blacking out at the scene. She was life-flighted to a trauma hospital, where she awoke to the devastating news that her son, Quinton, had died in the accident.

In this emotional episode, Kristine shares her journey of recovery, physically, emotionally, and mentally. She speaks candidly about the difficulty of forgiving the person responsible for the accident and how she has found healing through that process. Kristine's story is one of resilience, strength, and the power of forgiveness.

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