According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a baby is born with a birth defect every 4½ minutes. One of those children was Kelley Coleman’s son, born with a rare (and still undiagnosed) genetic syndrome. Feeling equal parts terrified and alone, she soon learned that no one tells parents how to do any of this. In her new book, Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential System, Services, and Supports, Coleman, a feature film development executive turned author and passionate advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities, turns her hard-earned expertise into the much needed “You Are Here” on the map of this unexpected journey.

Presented with empathy and humor, the book gives parents the tools to navigate the complex medical, educational, and social service systems necessary for disabled children to thrive. This is “been there, tried that” insider information about diagnosis, working with your medical team, insurance, school, financial and future planning, disability rights, and advocacy.

Coleman will be in conversation with Lindsay Crain, head of Content and Community at Undivided, an organization with a mission to support and empower parents raising children with disabilities. As the parent of a teenager with cerebral palsy, Crain is driven to build and reinforce systems and practices that create a more inclusive culture. She is currently serving as a Community Representative on the CA State Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Intervention.

This event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.

BONUS AFTER-HOURS EVENT: Attendees who purchase a copy of Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child from FAN’s partner bookseller The Book Stall are invited to attend an AFTER-HOURS event hosted by Ms. Coleman that will start immediately after the webinar. Details on the webinar registration page.