Finding Joy in the Midst of Adversity with Jessica Fein

Send us Fan MailJessica Fein is a mom to three adopted children from Guatemala and is a relentless warrior in the memory of her daughter who she lost to a rare disease in 2022. Jessica is a working mother who balances advocacy in her corporate job, writing (seasoned media contributor who has published more than 100 columns and essays. Jessica has also authored a book, is a podcaster, and does volunteer work as she serves on the board of directors of MitoAction.In today’s episode, Jessica shares her experiences of parenting on the precipice, caring for a medically fragile child, and finding joy even in the most challenging moments.Breaking the Ice in Social Settings:How we approach introducing our children to others to help bridge understanding and create an inclusive environment. The Power of Perspective & Advocacy:How early guidance from caregivers shaped our approaches to caregiving. Jessica’s Writing Journey and her book Breath TakingJessica shares the story behind her powerful memoir, Breath Taking, which she started writing while in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with her daughter, Dalia. The book is about more than just grief and loss; it’s a testament to resilience and discovering joy amidst unimaginable challenges. Confronting Deepest Fears:Jessica opens up about the fears she faced while caring for Dalia as her condition deteriorated. Balancing Fear with Joy & Living in the Moment:The delicate balance of living with joy and purpose while managing ongoing medical crises.The Resilience of Children and Parents:Shared about a local mother making a difficult decision to start Dialysis for her daughter and how parents often need to lean into their child’s will to live and desire to continue. Pearls of Wisdom:Jessica concludes with a powerful reminder that joy always has a seat at the table. Finding joy requires intentionality and being open to small moments of gratitude, even when they seem hard to grasp.Valerie’s Gratitude Practice:Consider starting a gratitude journal. Even jotting down one thing each day can make a significant difference in your mental and emotional health. Connect with Jessica:Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1681151103?Podcast: https://www.idontknowhowyoudoit.comWebsite: JessicaFeinStories.com.FB: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.fein.92/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/feinjessica/ LI: www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-fein-b643b09 Final Thoughts:Joy doesn’t just show up—we have to invite it. Let’s be intentional about bringing it to the table and embracing it, even in the most challenging seasons. As always, I encourage you to Live with Intention and Embrace the Journey. See you in the next episode!Valerie's Links: https://bit.ly/3RL0da2Music Acknowledgement: Audio Coffee - Denys KyshchukEditor: Scott ArbeauLink for book: The S.H.I.N.E. Principle: The special needs mom's path to strength, hope and happiness by Valerie Arbeauhttps://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CW18ZXGX (Canada)https://a.co/d/03hFdZI4 (US)Learn more about your host at:https://coachingwithvalerieanne.com/