CPN | Courageous Parents Network
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WELCOME.

Courageous Parents Network is a non-profit organization that orients and empowers parents and others caring for children with serious illness, by providing resources and tools that reflect the experience and perspective of other families and clinicians.

Here—in videos, podcasts, printable guides, Guided Pathways, and blog—you will find wisdom from families and pediatric clinicians to help you feel you are doing the very best you can for your child and family.
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The Beginning

The Beginning

With a diagnosis you enter a strange new land. There is information to absorb; there are questions to ask and decisions to make. Your hopes, dreams and expectations for your child and family suddenly shift in unanticipated ways. You may feel sadness, anger, frustration and grief. But you may also experience new joys as you redefine hope. You are not alone. We have been there too.
Advocating for Your Child

Advocating for Your Child

You are your child’s most important advocate. You are the expert on your child. Your child’s care team (medical team, home care team, supportive therapists and school community) will look to you for guidance. Knowing the questions to ask, feeling comfortable expressing what matters most for your child and family, and developing an open channel of communication with your providers will help you get your child get the care you envision.
Understanding Interventions

Understanding Interventions

So much to learn and consider. Over the course of your child’s illness journey, you may be faced with choices about a range of medical interventions (such as surgeries, treatments or therapies). There is often no one or right answer—only what works for your child and family. The perspectives of providers and other families that have considered these interventions can help in making you feel more comfortable and confident in your decisions.
Coping, Family, and Relationships

Coping, Family, and Relationships

When a child is sick, the entire family is affected. You may worry about your other children, your spouse or parenting partner, extended family members, and even yourself. You wonder, “How can I keep myself and my relationships strong?”. Finding ways to tend to these relationships, and to care for yourself, will help you better care for your child.
End of Life and Bereavement

End of Life and Bereavement

The possibility of your child's end of life may feel like an impossible thing to think about. Hearing from other parents who have walked this path can help you consider the questions that you may have but perhaps fear saying aloud. Learning from providers and getting practical information can help you feel more empowered to make what may feel like impossible decisions. The voices of bereaved parents can be a source of strength and community as you find your way. We know. We have been there too.

Pathways

CPN content organized into learning experiences, by topic.

Guided exploration may help you better understand a particular topic and how you want to address it in your own family’s life. Each Pathway is a short learning experience that mixes in videos, text, blogs and podcasts.

Learn More

The Courageous Parents Network Blog

A Framework for Medical Decision-Making when a Cure is Not Possible

This post is my first attempt at distilling into words the medical decision-making framework my husband and I developed during our son Viggo’s life. It was th...

Two Hands

There was a time in Andalyn’s life that I would have done absolutely anything for answers about her medical condition, heck even for the hope of a hint at an ...

Grief in the Middle

After someone experiences a significant loss, grief is supported, understood, and even expected. At the very beginning of terrible things it usually is as well....

Sad

I’m in Trader Joe’s and I feel the tears coming. I’ve already cried in the shower today, and then again while making my bed. On the way to the store, I se...

A Letter to Myself, One Year Ago

We welcome a new voice to the CPN blog: mom Ashley, mother of three. Ashley lives in Michigan and was referred to CPN by a former colleague who lives in Massach...

Featured / New

Family

Jazmyne

Jazmyne, mother of Crimson. Crimson was diagnosed prenatally with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) and lived her 5 months, deeply cherished, in the NICU.

Jazmyne
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Family

Crystal

Crystal, mother of Sydney (age 13). Sydney has severe cerebral palsy. Sydney is trached, on a ventilator, and fed via G-Tube.

Crystal
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Provider

Lauren Treat, MD

A pediatric neurologist and palliative care physician who specializes in caring for children with serious neurological conditions....

Lauren Treat, MD
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Family

Ashley and Theron

Ashley and Theron, parents of, Rosa (8), Leo (5), and Viggo. Viggo was diagnosed with Trisomy 5p shortly after birth and died at age 6 months.

Ashley and Theron
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Guide

Assessing and Responding to the Spiritual Needs of Seriously Ill Children and Their Caregivers

How do clinicians care for their patient's whole person--physical, emotional, social, spiritual--and their caregivers? If illness is seen as impacting not only ...

Assessing and Responding to the Spiritual Needs of Seriously Ill Children and Their Caregivers

We are a non-profit and are grateful for your financial support so families can share their experience and expertise to impact the course of care, both given and received.

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