episode 02
You're the Expert: Advocacy in the Hospital Setting
You know your child best.
And in a hospital, that knowing becomes your greatest tool.
In today’s episode, we’re talking all things advocacy in the medical setting, whether it’s for your medically complex child, your spouse, or even yourself. Shelby and Rachel open up about their real, raw experiences in hospital rooms: the overwhelm, the missed meds, the wins, and the gut feelings that saved their kids.
From navigating the ER at 2 a.m. to standing firm against dismissive providers, this one’s full of personal stories, practical tips, and unfiltered truths that every parent or caregiver should hear. You can speak up, and you don’t need a medical degree to do it.
In This Episode, We Talk About
Why advocacy matters more than ever in a hospital setting
Our biggest blunders and best decisions during hospital stays
The emotional toll of not being heard — and what to do about it
What “advocacy” actually looks like when your child is sick
How to advocate for a spouse, a partner, or even yourself
Scripts, questions, and tools that have helped us get through it
Favorite Moments
🩺 “I’m the Anna expert.”
💊 “This is my daughter’s medication schedule. You’re going to want to follow it.”
🧠 “They were really excited about this brain surgery... and I was six weeks postpartum.”
👊 “I knew nothing at first — now I walk in with a plan and a binder.”
Quickfire Tips
Bring a printed med schedule and a written summary to every hospital admission
Keep notes, ask questions, and repeat information until it sticks
Use the phrase: “Can you walk me through that again?”
Child Life is your friend. Ask for them.
It’s not rude to advocate. It’s love in action.
Something New Just Dropped 👀
We’ve launched brand new merch in the HGHS Store!
Because advocacy deserves a uniform, right?
🖤 Shop our limited-run shirts and decals made for med moms, grief warriors, and anyone showing up in hard spaces with fierce love.
➡️ Check out the store here
Every purchase helps us grow this community and amplify rare disease and grief advocacy. Thank you for showing up — in every way.
💬 Keep the Conversation Going
Want more support? Join our Her Grief, Her Strength Facebook Community — this is where we hold space for the hard stuff, share resources, and lift each other up in ways only people who “get it” truly can.
We’d love to have you. Join us here!
You can also find us on:
📍 Instagram: @hergrief_herstrength
📍 TikTok: @hghs_
📍 Pinterest: HER GRIEF, HER STRENGTH | ADVOCACY. COMMUNITY. HOPE.
Thank you for being here. Whether you’re grieving, supporting someone who is, or just want to be part of a community that values honest conversations about the hard stuff, we’re so grateful for you.
Here’s to Grieving Loudly. Living Boldly
