I’m Melanie, a Gen X mom raising my granddaughter Rosie, who lives with Dravet syndrome. This podcast shares the full, unfiltered story of caregiving, grief, palliative care, and parenting a medically complex child. No highlight reels—just truth, love, and the hard parts we usually keep quiet. Follow @raisingrosie_dravet on TikTok, IG, & Threads. Welcome to Raising Rosie: The Rest of the Story.
Raising Rosie: The Rest of the Story
Claim This Podcastby Melanie Kandzierski
10 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
I’m Melanie, a Gen X mom raising my granddaughter Rosie, who lives with Dravet syndrome. This podcast shares the full, unfiltered story of caregiving, grief, palliative care, and parenting a medically complex child. No highlight reels—just truth, love, and the hard parts we usually keep quiet. Follow @raisingrosie_dravet on TikTok, IG, & Threads. Welcome to Raising Rosie: The Rest of the Story.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/2/2025
1 verified contact email on file for Raising Rosie: The Rest of the Story
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Recent Episodes
December 26, 2025
The Keeper of Holiday Magic
<p>This wasn’t the Christmas I planned—but it ended up being exactly what someone else needed. In this final episode of the year, I’m sharing how a quiet day meant just for me and Rosie turned into something so much more when I realized my grieving niece had nowhere to go for the holidays.</p><p><br></p><p>She’s pregnant. She’s heartbroken. And she’s trying to be a mom through it all. So I answered the call I’ve known my whole life as the oldest daughter and oldest granddaughter: I dusted off the holiday magic. I found the cherry cordials. I opened the Coca-Cola in glass bottles. I baked the cranberry muffins. And in doing that, I passed on something sacred—not just memories, but legacy.</p><p><br></p><p>This episode is about what happens when joy and grief share a table. It’s about stepping into a new home, a new chapter, and recognizing the parts of yourself that survived the storm. It’s about building traditions from scratch, holding space for healing, and reclaiming your power in small, quiet ways.</p><p><br></p><p>As we head into 2026, I’m holding tight to one truth: language is everything. Because when we name what we’re going through, we take away its power to isolate us. And that’s what this podcast is here for.</p><p><br></p>
December 19, 2025
Redefining Holiday Magic: The Ghosts, the Grief, and the Grace
<p>The holidays rarely go as planned—especially when you’re navigating grief, caregiving, and change. In this episode, I take you through the “Ghosts of Christmas Past” in our life—diaper blowouts with COVID, hospital discharges on Christmas Eve, pizza and Chinese takeout as tradition—and what it’s taught me about redefining joy.<br></p><p>This isn’t about picture-perfect holidays. It’s about boundaries, bravery, and permission. Permission to protect your peace. Permission to say no. Permission to celebrate your own way—shrimp cocktail, fancy desserts, and all.<br></p><p>At the heart of this episode is a gentle, but fierce reminder: you don’t need the holiday you thought you’d have to find the meaning that matters. You just need to believe in your version of the </p><p><br></p>
December 12, 2025
Inclusion Isn’t a Favor—It’s a Foundation
<p>What happens when inclusion is treated like a luxury instead of a basic right?</p><p>In this episode, I peel back the layers of performative inclusion and bring us into the real, raw experience of fighting for access, dignity, and belonging as the caregiver of a medically complex child. From historical moments like the Capitol Crawl to personal stories about my local library and changing Rosie on public restroom floors, this episode is part history lesson, part emotional gut punch, and part rally cry.</p><p>You’ll learn how features we take for granted—curb cuts, texting, captions—were born out of disability advocacy, and why inclusion isn’t just about disability. It’s about humanity.</p><p>✨ Plus: A shout-out to The Inclusion Effect podcast by Anna Kohl, where powerful inclusion conversations continue weekly.</p><p>This isn’t about asking for too much. This is about asking for the bare minimum—and knowing you’re not alone.</p><p><br></p>
10 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Raising Rosie: The Rest of the Story?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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