Your Space Reclaimed

Deep thoughts for today…

💙Hug your loved ones tight today and tell them how much they mean to you!

💙Treat your mind and your body like the friends they are to you!

💙Take advantage of all that nature provides us. Any chance you can. It offers us so much!

💙Find reasons to be grateful. We ALL have them. Even if they are little reasons. Those still count.

💡These deep thoughts brought to you courtesy of a wonderful family celebration last night followed by witnessing a horrific traffic accident happening all around you — literally one car (probably totaled) landed in front of us and the other car (definitely totaled) landed inches behind us—and we came out of it without so much as a scratch. My head is still processing it all while my heart is with those involved and so grateful they were ok even though their cars were not!

Snoop Dogg talking about his Olympic debut at the Track Trials tonight and I am here for it.

Recently I was reminded that advocating for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is still very much needed in our society.

The need for spaces and programs that serve adults with IDD has grown significantly, thanks in part to healthcare and societal advances that make it possible for people like my daughter to live longer, healthier and more active lives.

Unfortunately, societal resistance of their inclusion remains to this day.

I believe that to combat this resistance, we need to encourage and foster

🔹education
🔹experience, and
🔹exposure

to those with intellectual disabilities.

I know this can be hard sometimes.

We might feel nervous or uncomfortable around those with IDD. We might not know what to say.

And yet, it is so important to try!

So, I sat down with Judith Wides, a child development expert from a renowned preschool in Washington, DC on this week’s episode of to discuss why it is so important to expose our young children to those with IDD, not just for those that are disabled but also for our typical kids, and how we as parents, can lead the charge in fostering this greater sense of inclusion.

By giving kids (even as young as preschool) the proper tools to demystify disabilities, we promote understanding and empathy!

I hope you will join me for this enlightening conversation!

From my own experience and in speaking with countless other caregiver moms, it is imperative that we find a way to access community and foster connections with fellow special needs and caregiver moms.

Jessica Patay is not only doing that for herself but for others in the disability community too.

Jessica shares her experience as a mom of a son with Prader-Willi Syndrome and the challenges that come with that diagnosis. And in the midst of that hard journey, she has found a way to cultivate friendships for countless others. Listen in as we talk about the not-for-profit organization she started and all the wonderful ways we can find the connections that we need to know we are not alone on this adventure!

✨Heartfelt thanks to for including me among these organizing and design experts in two recent articles, where I share some tips for small storage bedroom solutions and home office design.✨

And, as always, grateful to for the opportunity to share my ideas. 💡 They know how passionate I am about helping people make their space functional and meaningful for them and their families. 🥰

Check these out if you are working on your bedroom or home office! The pictures alone are worth a peek… 😍😍😍

In honor of Father’s Day coming up next month…

I am bringing to you (albeit a bit early!) this conversation with my wonderful husband, Mike O’Brien, as he shares his own perspective on the complexities and joys of raising our children, particularly our daughter Casey who has Down syndrome.

Listen in as Mike opens up about the ways Casey has expanded his world, teaching him to engage with life beyond his introverted tendencies and to appreciate the subtle nuances of human experience. His candid stories underscore the profound impact that raising a child with an intellectual disability can have on a parent’s perspective and the often surprising lessons that come from the wider community.

I am so grateful that I get to do life with this wonderful human and that even though he is an introvert through and through, he was willing to share these insights with the podcast community!

(Side note-he is also an amazing breadmaker and chef to boot! Check out his recipes 👨‍🍳🍞)

I hope you will join me this Thursday May 30 in doing acts of kindness in honor of my daughter’s sweet friend Katie! She was such a light and I am grateful every year for the opportunity to spread her story through acts of kindness!

It's nearing the end of May and that means that it is almost Kindness for Katie Day! Please join us on Thursday, May 30th as we celebrate the sweet and sassy young lady that filled us with laughter and love until she left us for heaven in 2015. I am sure we could all use some more acts of kindness to lift our spirits. So start thinking about how you want to honor sweet Katie and celebrate her on May 30th. Any act of kindness will do! Be sure to check out this page for ideas and post your act of kindness in honor of Katie on May 30th to social media using .

Excited to share some fantastic news with you!🎉

I recently had the honor of being interviewed on the Complicated Kids podcast where I shared my experience as a mom to a child with special needs, learning to not just survive, but thrive!

I get down to the nitty gritty with my sweet friend, Gabriele, the host (and also my college a ca****la mate🎶) as we discuss what actually listening to our disabled kids looks like, and what it’s like questioning our own assumptions about what our children’s paths would be.

I hope you will take a listen, especially if you think you have a “complicated” kid, because I think these topics can help anyone navigating the rough waters of parenthood!

Here I go again… 🙄

Talking about that which we special needs parents don’t like to talk about…

What happens when we no longer can care for our loved one? 😢

On this week’s episode of I tackle the Letter of Intent.

This important document helps you articulate and share your vision for your child after you are gone while memorializing all those tiny little but so very important details that help your child live and thrive.

In fact, taking action on this one document can mean the difference between a calm transition and a chaotic one, an overwhelmingly scared transition for all those left behind and an organized one.

Head over to your favorite platform for a listen! 🎤

I don’t know of a single special needs parent that doesn’t want a bit more sleep! 😴

So this week on I am talking about how to clear the clothing off that chair or floor so that you can get some more zzzzz’s! (We like to call it a ‘chairdrobe’ or ‘floordrobe’) 🤣

Did you know that you can buy the best mattress, put away your phones early, and meditate for hours but if your bedroom is cluttered, you likely won’t get the full benefits of all those strategies!

So buckle up while I share my sensible solutions for getting rid of that ‘chairdrobe’ and getting more much -needed sleep!

How do you strike a balance between your child’s digital world 📀 and
the need for healthy development, especially when your child has
special needs?

For me, it took an act of defiance and a really awful night to know that it was time to intervene.

This week on the I talk about screen time and our special needs kids!

For us, excessive screen time was taking its toll, leading to bouts of irritability and a noticeable drop in her energy levels.

But I realize how hard it is for parents, especially those with special needs, to intervene and constantly monitor their kids’ technology time.

So, I talk about what we did to get through a 3 week technology detox for our daughter, why we did it in the first place, and how it changed her technology habits for the better.

Take a listen and let me know how you have handled the montioring of screen time for your kids! I would love to hear!

Today on the podcast, I introduce you to Gina Andrew! She is a disability parent who wrote a fantastic novel called MAYBE SHE WILL with characters (wait for it…)

who represent people in and around the disability community! 🤗🤗🤗

With humor, grace and some 💓, this book shares what it’s like these days as a single parent raising a child with disabilities… the good, the hard, the stressful, the invisible… and I am here for all of it!

Listen in on this awesome conversation I had with Gina as we tackle the tough stuff…. and why it is so important to continue to promote disability representation in literature!

Calling all disability parents!! Have you ever said any of these statements to yourself or anyone else?

🔹I don’t have enough time! ⏰⌛️
🔹I have tried all the tips and tricks and I still can’t seem to get my life under control! Something must be wrong with me! 🤦‍♀️
🔹I always feel like I am behind and my to-do list just keeps growing!🏃🏼‍♂️
🔹Even when I do take a break, I feel guilty about it! 🥺
🔹School vacations are really hard. How do I make them easier? 🤪

If so, then you need to STOP 🛑 scrolling now and head over to your favorite podcast platform to listen to the latest episode of

I talk with Cristin Condin, a fellow disability mom who helps special needs parents answer these questions and more.

We address self care, why it seems like that’s a dirty word these days and how we can shift our mindset and make the days just a little easier in our caregiving journey.

This is a must-listen!

It’s the 50th episode of 🎉🎉🎉

I am excited to share on this episode a special discussion I had with Christen and Eric Freund.

Imagine walking a path that constantly tests your resilience, one where you must balance the joys of parenthood with the unique challenges of raising a child with special needs.

If you are like me, you don’t have to imagine it; you are living it! And so are Eric and Christen Freund from

In our heart-to-heart conversation, they graciously open up about the beauty and the struggles they encounter as partners in life and in work!

As founders of an organization that offers a lifeline to families like theirs, the Freunds reveal how their personal story spurred them to build a community where parents can find solidarity and strength.

Do you have a “chairdrobe” in your home? (IYKYK🤣)

If so, and you are ready to get rid of it once and for all, make sure you check out this helpful article at with suggestions from Yours Truly! ✨👋🏼

It IS possible to declutter our bedrooms and closets and get those “half clean” clothes off the floor and off your chair for good. 👗👚👖

Grateful to for the connection and opportunity to share my thoughts!

So my email got “spoofed”. I did not send a statement or notice to you. Please disregard. Got my IT guy (aka my husband🤣) working on it!

Ever held onto an expensive coat you never wear, just because it cost a pretty penny? 💰💰💰

We’ve all felt the sting of buyer’s remorse, but what if there was a way to reclaim your space and your sanity from the clutches of clutter?

Join me as I wrap up my three-part journey on mastering the mayhem of clutter. This final chapter shines a light on the financial pitfalls we all encounter with our possessions. We’ve all been there, holding onto items due to their initial cost, leading to a whirlwind of frustration or guilt when they collect dust unused.

So let’s unpack what we can do when 💰 has a greater hold on our thoughts than it should!

Need a hand when it comes to organizing your home and setting up the right systems for your family?

Well, I can help!

(Cue: sneak peak of our new landscaping! And yes, that is a hand carved out of a railroad tie coming out of our yard🤣)

Hit me up (or check out my podcast🎙️if you are a special needs mom needing to reclaim some space, time or energy so that you can get back to just being “a mom” 👩‍👧

Because self care isn’t just about getting your hair done or having a date night. It’s about making space for you to be the parent you want to be. And reducing the physical, emotional and calendar clutter in your life is one of the best ways to do that!!

🔗in bio for all the things

Have you ever felt the walls of your home closing in, not because the space is shrinking, but because the stuff keeps growing? 😳

This latest episode of is the second in a 3 part series that tackles the beast of clutter from a practical perspective, offering guidance and psychological insights to help you streamline your space.

I delve into the mental blocks that keep us from discarding items we don’t need, like the all-too-familiar “I might need this someday” thought pattern. By understanding the endowment effect and loss aversion, we can empower ourselves to make rational decisions about what stays and what goes. ⬇️➡️

And for those special needs parents out there, I provide tailored advice to make your living environment as stress-free and functional as possible.

So if you’ve ever struggled with letting go of clutter because “you might need it someday” this episode is not to be missed!

Have you ever felt the walls of your home closing in, not because the space is shrinking, but because the stuff keeps growing? 😳

This latest episode is the second in a 3 part series on the that tackles the beast of clutter from a practical perspective, offering guidance and psychological insights to help you streamline your space.

I delve into the mental blocks that keep us from discarding items we don’t need, like the all-too-familiar “I might need this someday” thought pattern. 🤔

By understanding the endowment effect and loss aversion, we empower ourselves to make rational decisions about what stays and what goes.

And for those special needs parents out there, I provide tailored advice to make your living environment as stress-free and functional as possible.

Get ready to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day 💙💛this coming Thursday March 21st!

Which just so happens to be the 1 year anniversary of this podcast!🎉🎉

To celebrate, i just released this week’s episode of

I’m peeling back the curtain on a 21-year journey that has both challenged and changed me, from navigating public perceptions to fostering a fierce bond within my family.

Here are 21 things I wish I had known 21 years ago! 1️⃣➡️2️⃣1️⃣

I definitely consider this an intimate episode - I am mostly talking to the Angela O’Brien of 2003. (That poor girl-she had no idea what a ride this would be!🤣🎢)

I share the nitty gritty of raising a child with a disability in the hopes of reassuring parents navigating similar paths. This episode is my way of cracking my heart open and letting you all peek inside. ❤️‍🩹

Happy World Down Syndrome Day to this wonderful community. I hope that anyone with a newly diagnosed child can embrace the message of love and dedication that transcends the fears I have had of planning for the future, and the transformative experience of having your heart opened by a child with Down syndrome.

Let’s celebrate the unique strengths, emotional intuition, and unfiltered honesty these special individuals bring into our lives, enriching us beyond measure.

I don’t usually buy “souvenirs” when on vacation but I’m willing to make an exception this time.

I also only own one Stanley at home but he’s about to have a playmate! 🤣

It’s ok to make an exception to your clutter rules for something you love!

+ my beloved Hawaii = true love

When we learn that our child has been diagnosed with a disability, most parents say they wish there was a handbook, a guide, anything that they could refer to help them navigate the complexities of raising a disabled child.

That handbook hasn’t really existed, until now. 🤗🤗

Kelley Coleman is here to help us shine a light on the raw realities that come with such a journey, in her new book, Everything No One Told You Apout Raising a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Services, Systems and Supports.

I sit down with Kelley in Episode 45 of to talk about the genesis of her book, finding balance amidst the chaos of parenting disabled children and the need to establish vital routines not just for our kids but also for our sanity as caregivers.

This episode is chock full of tidbits any two special needs moms would talk about over coffee in their living room so grab your cup and join us!

As a caregiver of someone with disabilities, the reality of planning for the future becomes a tapestry of legal knowledge and deep compassion.

On this week’s episode of my guest, attorney Adriane Grace, knows this all too well, as her law practice focuses entirely on estate planning for families of people with disabilities.

This discussion goes beyond the paperwork. 🗒️📎 We discuss the emotional weight of guardianship and legacy, and how crafting a ‘love letter’ for future caregivers is not only a testament to the love and gratitude we feel toward them but a practical guide for ensuring continuity of care.

Adriane underscores the importance of having a solid plan in place, shedding light on the less visible, yet equally important, facets of special needs planning. She also explains the difference between supplemental, special needs and living trusts and why each family needs a legal advocate to help them determine which trust would work best for their family situation.

And, finally, we discuss what parents can do, even when their child is young, to help ensure that their legacy of support will not interfere with any government services they might receive in the future.

If you are feeling overwhelmed about the prospect of planning for your loved one’s future after you are gone, this episode is a great place to start.

In this week’s episode of I share another way to look at categorizing the items in our home so that we can get a better idea of what we can hang on to and what we can let go of! 🤗👋🏼

Check out the Four T’s of Decluttering:

🔹Tools
🔹Treasures
🔹Toys
🔹Trash

Listen in for how I categorize the things in my home! Hopefully this helps you in your decluttering journey! Let me know!

Calling all friends who parent a loved one with Down Syndrome!!

Hi! I am working on a really special episode for the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of my podcast, Especially Organized! (How has it been one year!?!?)

I started this podcast on World Down Syndrome Day almost one year ago. I want to honor all the parents and caregivers on this journey by including as many as I can in this special podcast episode.

I would love to hear you answer the question,

“If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with Down Syndrome, what would you tell yourself?

Just click on the link here and it will send you to a private page where you can record a quick 90s audio recording. You can then send it to me directly from the page so that I can include your audio response in the episode!

The more the merrier! Thank you so much for sharing this!

Send a voice message to EspeciallyOrganized Wife, Mom of 2, Clutter Coach, Podcast Host, Enneagram Coach, and Disability Advocate trying to help fellow special needs moms reclaim their space!

Do you have any DOOM piles in your home? Do you even know what they are?

If you or someone you love has ADHD you may have heard of them. DOOM stands for Didn’t Organize, Only Moved. And that is what a lot of people, especially those who might have ADHD do when they say they are organizing their papers or their files. However, as the acronym says, these files are not actually organized.

In this short episode, I dive into why people with ADHD are so prone to using DOOM piles as a method of organization and what we can do to rid our countertops and other flat surfaces with these overwhelming mounds of stress. I talk about executive functioning skills, specifically working memory, and why people with ADHD have trouble with utilizing their working memory effectively. I then get into strategies that people with ADHD have used to help rid themselves of these piles and clear the paper clutter in their homes. (or at least make it more manageable!)

🌟Exciting News!🗞️🌟

Thrilled to share that I was featured in a recent article for “How To Declutter A Dining Room According to Professional Home Organizers” 🍽️. (Yes THE Homes&Gardens! 🤗🙌🏼💥)

Could not have been possible without the wonderful work over at who connected me to this opportunity! 👊🏼

And I hope to keep sharing the good news that organizing is a way to reclaim our space, time, and energy so that we can get back to LIVING and THRIVING, not just surviving! We can even reclaim that dining room table that hasn’t seen the light of day for a while! 🤣🍽️🙈

Have you ever been at the grocery store or Target with your child and for whatever reason , they have a meltdown.

The yelling, the waving of the arms the kicking of the feet, the terror in their eyes. We’ve all been that parent. It’s so stressful in that moment for us as parents but when we start to take a step back, we might start to think about what it’s like for our child in that moment. Because if it’s stressful for us, imagine how scary and stressful it is for our child.

My guest this week Gabriele Nicolet is a developmental speech therapist, parent coach and host of the Complicated Kids podcast. she is also the cofounder of Raising Orchid Kids, a parent education and coaching practice.

If you have what you would consider a “sensitive child,” then this episode will resonate deeply as she draws parallels between the care orchids need and her approach to supporting highly sensitive or neurodivergent children, whom she affectionately terms “Orchid Kids.”

We discuss what parenting “orchid” kids is really like, compared to most other kids. And even though she is known for being a toddler whisper with her ability to help them improve their speech and language skills, I really think she is more of a parent whisperer. She reminds us that parents can’t actually control our kids: their behavior, their thoughts, their feelings, etc. but we can control our responses to all of these. And, when we start paying attention to what we can control, we start to improve our parenting skills in a way that allows our kids to develop what they need to grow, to regulate their nervous systems, to understand that they are safe and to mature into healthy adults.

Also: FUN FACT!!!💥 -

Gabriele and I used to sing 🎶 a capella 🎶 together in an all female group called The Grace Notes at Georgetown University long ago! Yes… we were the original Pitch Perfect! 🎵🎤🎼 It was so good to reconnect after 30 years! 😳