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266 – Dan Redfield of Anchorage, AK A Filmmaker & Father of Three Including Ava, Who Passed Away From Infantile Tay-Sachs at Six

Our guest this week is Dan Redfield of Anchorage, AK who is an Emmy nominated filmmaker and the father of three children. Dan and his wife, Kristen, have been married for two years and are proud parents of three children; Henry (8 mo.), Reagan (3) and Ava, who very sadly passed away in November 2021 at age six, after suffering from Infantile Tay-Sachs, a rare inherited genetic disease. We’ll hear how Dan developed a passion for film making and how that led to the creation of the PBS documentary film ‘Granted,’ which led to creating short documentary films for other

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247 – Jeff Seitzer of Chicago, An Author & Father of 2 Including a Son With Special Healthcare Needs Who Tragically Passed At 9

Our guest this week is Jeff Seitzer of Chicago, IL. Jeff and his wife, Janet, have been married for 33 years and are the proud parents of two children; Penelope (16) and Ethan, who had many special healthcare needs and who tragically passed away in a drowning accident, at age nine in 2010. Jeff earned a Ph.D in political science from the University of Chicago. He has over a quarter century of teaching experience in the Chicago area. He is currently, the secretary of the adjunct faculty union at Roosevelt University where he is a highly qualified organizer, manager, and

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179 – Scott Newport Of Royal Oak, MI, A Carpenter & Father of Three – Lost His Son Evan, At Age 7, To Noonan Syndrome

David Hirsch’s guest this week is Scott Newport, an advocate for those with disabilities and special needs. Scott and his x-wife are parents of three including Evan, who sadly passed away at age 7, after fighting Noonan syndrome. We’ll hear how Scott dealt with this tragic loss, his advocacy for families touched by special health care needs, his writings including being par t of the Chicken Soup For The Soul book, and how he has made unique use of his carpentry skills, on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. YouTube ‘All Around Me’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtTScLpEAfY&t=16s Noonan Syndrome: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/noonan-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354422 Read about the

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177 – Louis Geigerman, Founder Of National ARD/IEP, Father Of Two Including A Son With Aspergers Who Tragically Took His Own Life

David Hirsch’s guest this week is Louis Geigerman, founder of National ARD/IEP Advocates, a firm that represents parents of children with special needs in schools throughout Texas. Louis is the father of two, including son Ben, who had Aspergers and tragically took his own life, shortly after graduating cum laude from Texas State University. We’ll hear the Geigerman family story as well as the Benjamin J. Geigerman Lecture Series at University of Texas and more on Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) – https://www.copaa.org National ARD/IEP Advocates – http://www.narda.org National Alliance for Mentally Ill – https://www.nami.org

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144 – Andy McCall of Greeneville, TN, Father of Three, Lost His Oldest Child Before Her 2nd Birthday

Our guest this week is Andy McCall of Greenville, TN. Andy is a career teacher and coach who has three children, including daughter, Penelope, who, sadly, passed away at age two, due to severe special needs and cancer. Andy kept a blog during Penelope’s life, which he turned into a book entitled, Pigtails & Steel, which is available on Amazon. His experience has led to his dedication as a volunteer at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital as well as with Dads of Steele, a charity that supports dads who have lost a child. Andy credits his family, his faith and The

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141 – Rob Harris, Father Of Three, Two Who Passed At Birth – Advocates For ‘Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep’ A National Non-Profit

Our guest this week on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Rob Harris of Littleton, CO. Rob tells the heartbreaking story of how he and his wife Gina lost two children at childbirth and the happy occurrence of the arrival of their third child, a bouncing baby boy named R.J. Their life experience propelled Gina to become involved with and now serves as CEO of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a national non-profit, whose mission is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with a free gift of professional portraiture. It’s

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138 Don Raineri – Father of Four Including Twins; One With Down Syndrome, The Other Who Passed Away At Childbirth

Our guest this week is Don Raineri, president of Dads of Steele. Don is the father of four children,, including twins; one with Down Syndrome and the other who, sadly, died at childbirth. We’ll hear Don’s family story, about his faith and Dads of Steele, a charity dedicated to strengthening dads to be more present in their children’s lives. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. Learn about Dads of Steele – https://dadsofsteele.org/mission-focus/ Contact Don at don@dadsofsteele.org Learn more about Special Fathers Network – https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network/ Transcript: Tom Couch: The special father’s network is thrilled to be sponsored by Rubin

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127 – Dr. Bob Franks – President & CEO of The Judge Baker Children’s Center & Author of: Be A Better Parent

Our guest this week on The Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Dr. Bob Franks, who is a nationally recognized child psychologist, is the president and CEO of the Judge Baker Children’s Center, is on the clinical faculty at Harvard Medical School and author of Be A Better Parent: 10 Strategies For Being The Best You Can Be For Your Child. Bob is also the father of twin teenage boys adopted from Columbia, and a daughter, who vey sadly passed away shortly after birth, 18 years ago, due to underdeveloped lungs. We’ll hear his fascinating story on this Special

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116 – Daniel DeFabio Part 2 – Co-Founder of DISORDER: The Rare Disease Film Festival, Reflects On Losing A Son To Menkes Disease

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast It’s the conclusion of host David Hirsch’s conversation with multi media producer, director and marketer, Daniel DeFabio. Daniel and his wife Tina lost their oldest son Lucas (11) just months ago to Menkes Disease, a very rare genetic disorder. Daniel along with fellow SFN Mentor Father Bo Bigelow (SFN D2D #51) are co-founders of DISORDER: The Rare Disease Film Festival. It’s an emotional story that we’ll hear in two parts on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. This is part two. To find out about Menkes Disease go to: https://themenkesfoundation.orgTo find

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115 – Daniel DeFabio Co-Founder of DISORDER: The Rare Disease Film Festival, Reflects On Losing A Son To Menkes Disease

In this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast host David Hirsch talks with multi media producer, director and marketer, Daniel DeFabio. Daniel and his wife Tina lost their oldest son Lucas (11) just months ago to Menkes Disease, a very rare genetic disorder. Daniel along with fellow SFN Mentor Father Bo Bigelow (SFN D2D #51) are co-founders of DISORDER: The Rare Disease Film Festival. It’s an emotional story that we’ll hear in two parts on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. This is part one. To find out about Menkes Disease go to: https://themenkesfoundation.orgTo find out about DISORDER

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031 – Sedona firefighter Kris Kazian on the loss of his daughter, Lexie, and the formation of the Lexie Kazian Foundation.

He’s a fire chief in Sedona Arizona, he had a daughter with special needs who sadly passed away at age two, and through it all he continues in his quest to help people. He’s Kris Kazian and he’s David Hirsch’s guest in this Special Fathers Network Podcast. Kris and his wife Christine formed Helping from Heaven – the Lexie Kazian foundation, a not for profit organization that improves the quality of life for families with special needs kids. It’s a compelling interview and a great listen. Transcript: Dad To Dad 31 – Sedona firefighter Kris Kazian on the loss of

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096 – Hamilton and Broadway Star Miguel Cervantes Recounts the Passing of Daughter, Adelaide, Due to Epilepsy & Infantile Spasms

We are proud to present this very special edition of the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Host David Hirsch talks to special father Miguel Cervantes. Miguel performed the lead role of Alexander Hamilton for the entire 171 week Chicago run of “Hamilton: An American Musical.” Miguel and his wife, Kelly, son Jackson and Newborn Adelaide, moved to Chicago so Miguel could take on the role of a lifetime. But soon after, Adelaide started having seizures due to a severe form of pediatric epilepsy. Tragically Adelaide passed away at age three. In this Dad to Dad Podcast, Miguel talks to

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093 – Sam Rodriguez Turns Tragic Loss Into Incredible Acts Of Kindness.

From terrible tragedy comes forgiveness, which leads to incredible acts of kindness. On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks to Special Father Sam Rodriguez. Sam and his wife Stacey have three children. Ben, Emma and Manny, who passed away as a baby. Sam tells his family’s story including the formation of the Manny Rodriguez fund and the 87 random acts of kindness day. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. Show Links: Find out about the Manny Rodriguez children’s education’s fund atFacebook.com/mannysfund The Akron Children’s hospital website: https://www.akronchildrens.org The Courageous Parents

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089 – SFN Mentor Fathers: Reflections On The Loss Of A Child With Special Needs

This SFN Podcast is a compilation of excerpts from earlier interviews of SFN Mentor Fathers who each lost a child with special needs. They are listed here in alphabetical order. The number relates to each dad’s podcast: #66 Jerry Castro/Son Jack age 15, #31 Kris Kazian/daughter Lexi age 2, #57 Tim Kuck/son Nathaniel age 4, #64 Shane Lee/daughter Jocelyn age 4 1/2, #37 Matt Mooney/son Elliot age 99 days, #13 Jim Mueller/son Luke 23 and #29 Rooster Rossiter/daughter Ainsley age 12. Not all families are able to perpetuate their child’s memory in the form of a non-profit, but many of these

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066 – Jerry Castro’s son Jack made a profound impact on his family & others before passing away at 15, due to his premature birth.

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks with Special Father Jerry Castro, a financial industry veteran and father of 8, including Jack who passed away from complications due to premature birth at age 15. Jerry tells how his son was a real positive influence on the Castro family and that his legacy lives on. That’s all on this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network.  Transcript: Dad to Dad 66 – Jerry Castro’s son Jack made a profound impact on his family & others before passing away at 15, due to his premature birth.

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065 – John Felageller, Father of a Son With Autism, School Teacher, Blogger and Writer

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks with Special Father John Felageller, a 4th grade teacher and father of 11-year-old Christopher, who is autistic. John and his wife Elizabeth have been through some challenging times but have emerged stronger thanks in part to their involvement an evangelical christian church. That’s all on this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network.  Transcript: Dad to Dad 65 – John Felageller, Father of a Son With Autism, School Teacher, Blogger and Writer John Felageller: Being in the waiting room that they gave us and, and really just

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064 – Shane Lee, father of 5 children, 3 diagnosed with SMA including Jocelyn, who sadly passed away at age 4 1/2

On this Dad to Dad podcast host David Hirsch talks to Shane Lee, a systems administrator and a father of five, including Jocelyn, who sadly passed away at age 4 ½ from complications related to Spinal Muscular Atrophy. We’ll hear the amazing story of the Lee family and their travails and triumphs over SMA on this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. Transcript: Dad to Dad 64 – Shane Lee, father of 5 children, 3 diagnosed with SMA including Jocelyn, who sadly passed away at age 4 1/2 Shane Lee: She changed, not only our life,

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057 – Tim Kuck, co-founder of Nathaniel’s Hope, named after his son who passed away at age 4

In this Dad to Dad Podcast we talk with special father, Tim Kuck. Tim not only builds boats – he’s the COO of Regal Marine, but he’s also a special father to three children, including Nathanial who passed away at age 4, due to multiple birth anomalies. In this Dad to Dad podcast, Tim talks of the journey undertaken by he and his wife Marie, including the formation of Nathanial’s Hope, a charity that celebrates kids with special needs. Transcript: Dad to Dad 57 – Tim Kuck, co-founder of Nathaniel’s Hope, named after his son who passed away at age

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Mission & Vision

Mission Statement
 Improving the lives of children by raising awareness and resources for greater father involvement; and inspiring dads to be present —physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually.

Vision Statement
That all children will grow up with a loving, caring and nurturing father and family.

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