Episode 6 – Dad Talking Dads
Rob Hale host of podcast Dad-Ability joins Dr Lisa Interligi and Kristine Christopoulos to explore experiences of dads of children with all types of disabilities. Rob shares about his personal emotional journey with raising his son Leo, and how this brought him to a breaking point. Rob has used this to connect and support other fathers. This is a special conversation not to be missed.
Episode 5 – Talking ADHD
Hosts Dr Lisa Interligi and Kristine Christopoulos chat with Professor Mark Bellgrove about ADHD – what it is, how the condition is diagnosed, gender differences and heritability. Mark is Director of Research at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, and a Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience at Monash University.
Episode 4 – Golf Glue
Darrell Dalton, ex nurse for acquired brain injury and senior PGA member, turned running the largest golf program for people with intellectual disabilities.
Not-for-profit Golf Programs Australia Inc is also an affiliate of the Special Olympics program. Darrell is joined by partner Michelle to chat about how the program works, the health and social benefits of playing golf.
Episode 3 – Special
Hosts Dr Lisa Interligi and Kristine Christopoulos welcome Melanie Dimmitt -broadcaster, journalist and editor Melanie is a mum of two and author of her book ‘Special ‘ in which shares the raw experience of coming to terms with her son Arlo’s cerebral palsy diagnosis. Melanie also works for HireUp as an advocate and produces a magazine The Blend Lifestyle for the tube feeding community.
Episode 2 – Sev’s Amazing Journey
Sevastine Katsakis joins co-hosts Dr Lisa Interligi and Kristine Christopoulos to chat about her amazing journey from being a patient at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital to joining forces with her childhood therapists to improve mental health and wellbeing of children and young adults with cerebral palsy at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s CP-Achieve.
Episode 1 – Being Intimate
Chantelle Otten is an experienced and certified Psycho-Sexologist, Scientist, and Sex and Relationship Expert. She is an expert in educating and supporting people with disabilities with sexual health. Host Kristine Christopoulos chats Chantelle about topics from a parent’s perspective such as safety and consent, education and the right to experience.
About
Dr. Lisa Interligi
Founder of Loop Me In, Lisa is mother of two adult sons, one of whom- Louis, has autism.
Lisa has been able to balance her career as an executive and psychologist with the support of her family, and community of mothers and carers.
She says that at periods in Louis’ life when she was at her wits end, someone stepped forward with advice, information or support that helped her and her family through the challenging times.
Lisa believes that raising children takes a village and wants Loop Me In to become that understanding and supportive village for fellow parents and carers of young people with disabilities.
Kristine Christopoulos
Kristine is a mother of three children. When son Mathew was 2 years old it was discovered that he had a disability but the exact diagnosis was unknown. At this time Kristine and her husband were advised by doctors to raise Mathew with lots of love, happiness and resilience, advice which they have lived by.
Mathew, now 21, is a happy and social young man who loves his friends and works part time at his family’s seafood business.
Recently, Mathew received a diagnosis of Malan Syndrome. Whilst this diagnosis has helped Mathew’s family to understand the implications of his rare condition, it was really the support of family and friends to give Kristine the strength and knowledge to get him to where he is today.
Today, Kristine provides support to other parents of children with Malan Syndrome and aims to share her knowledge and experience through Loop Me In to support the broader parent and carer community.
- joemul@loop-me-in.com.au
Most Recent Episodes
Season 4
Episode 2 – Sev’s Amazing Journey
Sevastine Katsakis joins co-hosts Dr Lisa Interligi and Kristine Christopoulos to chat about her amazing journey from being a patient at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital to joining forces with her childhood therapists to improve mental health and wellbeing of children and young adults with cerebral palsy at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s CP-Achieve.
Episode 1 – Being Intimate
Chantelle Otten is an experienced and certified Psycho-Sexologist, Scientist, and Sex and Relationship Expert. She is an expert in educating and supporting people with disabilities with sexual health. Host Kristine Christopoulos chats Chantelle about topics from a parent’s perspective such as safety and consent, education and the right to experience.
Season 3
Episode 6- Dancing to Work
Hosts Dr Lisa Interligi and Kristine Christopoulos chat to Sue and Tonia from the Inclusion Foundation, a dual purpose organisation providing opportunities for young people with Down’s Syndrome to dance and to work. Inclusion Foundation was established by mom Cate Sayers after her 6 year old daughter was excluded from joining a dance class.
Episode 5- Silver Screen
Hosts Dr Lisa Interligi and Kristine Christopoulos chat to Ryan Goodwin about the Focus on Ability film festival. In its 14th year, and with films from all parts on the world, entries are 5 minutes long and feature a disability theme. Ryan, Creative Director, talks about the festival’s role in building inclusion, reducing bullying and providing a resource for parents.
Episode 4- A Home for Life
Hosts Dr Lisa Interligi and Kristine Christopoulos chat to James Loveday from Empowered Liveability about Special Disability Accomodation (SDAs), transition planning that parents can do to prepare for their children’s future living arrangements, and the value in engaging people with similar disabilities in planning.
Episode 3- Exercising Love
Tommy Trout is rare gem promoting true inclusivity. Another entrepreneur who has taken, love and his family circumstance to positively impact the lives of people with a disability. Lisa and Kristine talk to Tommy about how his fitness company – We Flex – is making difference to people to disabilities aged 7 years and up. Boxing, yoga, Zumba, PT, gym – whatever it takes to be active, healthy and much more.
Season 2
Episode 7- Little Steps into Giant Steps
Andy chats to Dr Lisa Interligi and Kristine Christopoulos about the community philosophy of Giant Steps school and college. Based on a successful model from Montreal Canada, Giant Steps in Australia educates and develops children and young adults with high needs autism.
