Kate and Mandy chat to Hannah, a queer Melbourne-based theatre artist Pea with 3-year old identical twin boys Alfie and Otis.
Alfie and Otis were born prematurely at 28 weeks due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Hannah shares their amazing story of survival and the many subsequent months spent in the NICU, through which Hannah and her partner Lani also juggled the care of their two older children, work and that thing called COVID-19. Both boys were eventually discharged home on oxygen by nine months, and bounced back and forth into hospital a couple of times, which was a challenging scenario to say the least during the pandemic.
Alfie was subsequently diagnosed with left-sided hemiplegia and Otis with hypotonia and dystonia, along with language and mobility challenges. Hannah’s philosophy is to stay in the moment, embrace the chaos, experience the joy and celebrate their achievements! Given Alfie and Otis have lived so much of their short lives in pandemic-affected Melbourne, they’ve at least had the benefit of avoiding comparisons to other kids while in lockdown and are happily living their best lives!
Kate, Mandy and Hannah all laugh their butts off over all the funny details of Hannah’s chaotic holiday trip to NSW when the state borders were slamming shut over Christmas 2020. Hannah also talks about the awareness and change her family have brought to their NICU for the benefit of future LGBTIQ+ parents, thanks to their positive attitude and raucous approach to life.
If Kate and Mandy ever launch Too Peas:The Musical, Hannah has already been cast as the director!
Find and follow Hannah and her family on Instagram at @twomumsfoursuns
Other Pea Business
Laugh, Cry, Make A Difference things:
· Mandy is hooked on The Leftovers
· Kate is loving Shetland
Plus:
· Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us to keep it on the bookshelves so all the other Peas can find it!
· Get a signed copy and deck yourself out in some excellent Too Peas merch here!
· Listen to our Spotify playlist – Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love
· Melbourne forecast for Thursday October 28 – Showers increasing, 26 degrees
· Join our Facebook Hangout
· Find us on YouTube
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Contact us here:
Website: www.toopeasinapodcast.com.au
Email: toopeaspodcast@gmail.com
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