In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell speaks with Rachel Heinz about her life as the mama to a son with special needs as well as her work as the director of a residential inclusive post-secondary education program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Missouri State University. Listen in as they talk about the early days of an unexpected diagnosis for your child, medical procedures, surgeries, hospital life, following your gut and not underestimating yourself, and the steps that led Rachel to develop Bear Power, a residential program for adults with special needs at her alma mater Missouri State. Bear POWER: Promoting Opportunities for Work Education and Resilience Website: https://www.missouristate.edu/bearpower/ Facebook: facebook.com/msubearpower Instagram: msubearpower