Episode 5: The Importance of Connection

Celebrating Mother’s Day and IgAN Awareness Day with Two Moms

When someone gets a life-altering diagnosis such as IgAN, it not only affects the person living
with it, but also the people around them. For parents, it’s a different and unique experience.
They provide support as they watch their child learn to cope and live with the impact of this
disease. It can be a lonely and worrying experience navigating what are often unchartered
waters, but it doesn’t have to be.

Today, we have with us Julie and Jeanette, two amazing moms of children who are at different
stages of their IgAN journey. Their budding friendship speaks to the little blessings that can
come from life’s challenges. Even though they live states away from one another, they met at an
event to raise awareness about the impact of IgAN, with both of their now adult children sharing
their experiences. That chance meeting led to the start of a life-long friendship rooted in shared
experiences, love for their children, music, and a mutual love for Babyface.

“I found that on this journey, it’s so very important to say it out loud, say that you’re scared,
anxious, that you don’t know the questions to ask, say that I’m shaking and I don’t know where
to go from here.” -Jeanette

Julie and Jeanette talk about how their friendship has helped one other. They share the
importance of making connections, being vulnerable and creating bonds that can help you
through these uncertain times.