49: Parenting w/ Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome & Perimenopause: The Birth of Self-Care Karen

Ft:  Karen Kossow, disability advocate, neurodivergent parent, and co-founder of Faircare IdahoWhat happens when parenting, disability, hormones, and burnout collide — and the systems meant to support you quietly disappear?In this episode, we explore:Brain Fog + Burnout = Breaking PointSarah gets vulnerable about worsening brain fog and fatigue, opening a larger conversation about perimenopause, disability, and survival under constant strain.Late Recognition & Reframing ExpectationsKaren talks parenting autistic kids, navigating Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and the loss of access of familiar coping mechanisms during perimenopause.The Reality of Caregiving Without Support:Why paid family caregiver programs matter, what happens when they’re cut, and how unpaid labor props up broken socioeconomic systems.Develop Self-Care Rituals:Learning to read non-verbal body signals, prioritize finite energy, and practice nervous system rest & regulation instead of pushing through.Key Questions Answered in the Audio:1. How do I know I’m doing too much?2. Why are families expected to survive without real systemic support?3. What practical nervous system grounding tools actually help when you’re already overwhelmed & over-scheduled?Resources Mentioned:Karen Kossow’s Substack — Self-Care Support Squad https://karenkossow.substack.com/Faircare Idaho (family paid caregiving advocacy) https://faircareidaho.substack.com/Connect With Us⁠https://www.ndreportpod.com/⁠Follow @ndreportpod on your social platform of choice