If you’ve ever wondered how to stay patient in chaos, advocate for a child with complex needs, or rebuild after heartbreak, this conversation is a grounded, generous look at resilience from a mother who has lived it.

In this episode, Becky talks with Candace Bergquist—an identical mirror twin, mother of three, grandmother of six, and a woman who has faced extraordinary challenges with humility, humor, and faith. Candace has lived with fibromyalgia, hearing loss, and a traumatic brain injury while parenting children with complex medical and emotional needs, including cerebral palsy, daily seizures, addiction, and developmental disabilities. She has also endured the heartbreak of losing a child and continues to show up for her family with love and steadiness.

Candace’s personal story and professional background—as a teacher, reading program director, medical assistant, and leader in nonprofit work—have shaped her into a powerful advocate for children and families. In this conversation, she and Becky explore empathy, special-needs parenting, thoughtful communication, and how community support becomes a lifeline through grief and recovery.

If you're navigating disability, emotional upheaval, chronic illness, loss, or simply trying to raise kinder children, this episode offers hope, practical wisdom, and encouragement.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background of Candice Berquist

01:10 Mirror Twins: Learning to Adapt

04:24 Family Drama: Learning Responsibility

09:42 Lessons on Prejudice and Acceptance

15:10 The Importance of Thoughtful Communication

18:11 Car Accident and Dealing with a Traumatic Brain Injury

27:01 Bad Baby

36:48 Midway

41:02 Child Struggling with Drug Addictions

46:48 Grieving and Support from Community

50:54 Create and Teach Empathy

53:45 Caring for Alicia: Babies with Seizures

01:00:24 Finding Hope: Alicia's Success Story

01:05:42 Advocating with Kindness

01:12:32 Rapid Fire Questions

Mentioned in the Show:

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Raising Children with Complex Needs: Teaching Love, Empathy, and Charity