Inclusivity and Special Needs Parenting - Dr. Nicole Stoecken

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Stoecken returns to the podcast to talk about special needs parenting and the importance of being inclusive.  

Dr. Stoecken is a pediatrician at MercyOne Grimes Pediatric Care, and is an advocate and guide for children with a diagnosis of Down syndrome. Her daughter Josie was born with Down syndrome in December 2019. "I have been especially fortunate in that I have been able to take many of the tools I have learned to support my own child’s development back to my daily practice to support the development of each of my patients. One of the greatest gifts I have been given is that of empathy," she says.  

In society, Dr. Stoecken says there are important things each of us can recognize and strive to improve:

• Encourage person first language
• Encourage inclusion
• Recognize ableism and prejudices and stereotypes we each may carry

Be sure to check out our other episode with Dr. Stoecken, where we learn more about Down syndrome and her daughter Josie. 

Send us your feedback by emailing podcast@mercyhealth.com, or fill out the submission form at MercyOne.org/podcast

Your Best Life – powered by MercyOne