Dad to Dad 244 - Joel Liestman of Maple Grove, MN A Professional Actor Reflects On Raising a Son With William Syndrome

Our guest this week is Joel Liestman of Maple Grove, MN who has been a professional actor for more than 25 years, a father to a son with William Syndrome and outspoken advocate for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Joel and wife, Jennifer, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of Bennett (11) who has Williams Syndrome, a genetic condition present at birth and is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning challenges. Joel reflects on the importance of organizations like Parent 2 Parent and the William Syndrome Association have played in Bennett’s life and that of his family.That's all on this episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast. Show Links - Email – [email protected] – https://www.joelliestman.comLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelliestman/William Syndrome Association – https://williams-syndrome.org/Partnership Resources - https://www.partnershipresources.org/Parent 2 Parent USA – https://www.p2pusa.org/Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channe... Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/do...Find out about Horizon Therapeutics – Science and Compassion Working Together To Transform Lives. https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/