Dad to Dad 223 - Mike DeLeon of Pacific, WA Father of Four, Including Two with UCD and Co-Founder of Connecting Families UCD Foundation

Our guest this week is Michael Deleon of Pacific, WA, who has an aviation and aerospace background, is the father of four, including two impacted by Urea Cycle Disorder (UCD) and co-founder of the Connecting Families UCD Foundation. Michael and his wife, Robin, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of nine, including five from Robin’s first marriage, two from his first marriage and two children between the two of them. Sadly, their son, Michael, diagnosed with UCD, passed away in 2000 at age 3 months. And, their daughter, Ariella, who is 19, was also diagnosed with UCD as well.We learn about Michael’s growing up with a Marine Corps father, their marriages, blended families, and how they have overcome some of the obstacles presented by children with special healthcare needs. It’s a heartbreaking and heart warming story on today’s SFN Dad To Dad Podcast. Email – [email protected] UCD Family Foundation - https://ucdfamily.org Camp Video - https://q8b.e24.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/camp_video_1280x720.mp4 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ucdfamilies Please take the SFN Early Intervention Parent Survey and as a token gift, receive a Great Dad Coin - https://tinyurl.com/5n869y2y Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations. Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network/Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/