Kate and Mandy speak to Ameripea Chelsea who is an adoptive Pea mother and community nurse from Indiana, USA. Celsea is an experienced neonatal intensive care nurse who now works in community health, supporting vulnerable first-time mothers with children under two.
Chelsea shares her experiences of working as a NICU nurse in a large local hospital, where she loved caring for sick babies and supporting their families. She also tells the story about the unique way she became a mother by adopting her daughter Izzy, who was in NICU herself for several weeks after her birth.
At 12 months of age, Chelsea realised that her daughter was missing some milestones, but was told that she was just ‘lazy’ – a very rectum comment indeed.Izzy was eventually diagnosed with cerebral palsy just after her second birthday and was recently diagnosed with autism. She also experiences sensory and respiratory challenges.
Chelsea talks about starting the process of all the therapies, the challenges of getting AFO’s for her growing little girl, and juggling telehealth appointments during COVID-19. Izzy has now just received a new wheelchair which is helping her gain confidence and independence.
Izzy’s birth mother was also acknowledged and honoured for bringing Izzy into the world. She chose Chelsea for Izzy’s adoptive mother especially because she was a NICU nurse who could take the best care of her.
Chelsea owns up to the fact that Kate and Mandy took her ‘podginity’ and she binged the Too Peas podcast at the end of July 2021, and finished it from start to finish at the beginning of September!
Chelsea also wants Peas to know that NICU nurses see you, appreciate you and know you’re doing the very best for your baby. A shout out to all the wonderful NICU nurses working through a very tough time in healthcare.
Other Pea Business
Here’s a few things from Laugh, Cry, Make A Difference
·Mandy is binging on the Aldi Kringle & Co Iced Christmas Cake
·Kate is almost finished reading Heart Sick by Jessie Stephens and is loving it
·Mandy is reading Leigh Sales and Annabelle Crabb’s Well Hello and is loving it and is very thankful for the mention of Too Peas as one of Annabelle’s favourite podcasts!
Plus:
·Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Usto keep it on the bookshelves so all the other Peas can find it!
·Get a signed copy and deck yourself out in some excellent Too Peas merch here!
·Listen to our Spotify playlist – Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love
·Melbourne forecast for Thursday October 14 –Showers developing, 19 degrees
·Join our See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.