Amanda Corcoran and her husband, Tom, are the parents of a 15-year-old son, Samuel, aka Sammy. Amanda is a fourth grade teacher and Tom is an auditor consultant, and they both balance the demands of a full-time job with being devoted parents to Sammy, who has a rare genetic disorder. Here’s how Amanda Corcoran says they make it work.
I understand your son has a rare genetic disorder. Do you feel comfortable sharing with us about his disorder and what managing it looks like?
It’s called cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, which affects about one in 810,000 people. We found out while I was pregnant through genetic testing, so we knew before he was born. He came early at 33 weeks and spent six and a half months in the hospital. The syndrome affects nearly every system — he has developmental delays, hypotonia, epilepsy and pulmonary and cardiac issues, including cardiomyopathy. Thankfully, everything is stable with medication. He’s on oxygen only at night and uses a G-tube for feeding. Despite everything, he’s a happy, sweet boy who smiles, laughs and is starting to talk.
You and your husband are both working parents. What is the job-parenthood balance like? How do you make it work?
We both work full time and don’t have the option to stay home, so I spent the entire summer trying to find someone who would be willing to watch Sammy. He’s a complex kid, but once you learn the basics, he’s actually pretty easy. It was just finding someone willing to learn how to do a G-tube feed or give medications. I reached out to what felt like 60 families and contacted several day cares. Finally, about a week before school started, one woman reached out and said she could take him. We got very, very lucky. She’s absolutely amazing and watches him during the week so we can go to work.
Even then, managing appointments is hard because he has so many specialists. My husband and I usually alternate taking time off — one day I’ll take him, the next time he will — so neither one of our workplaces gets completely burned out. But in our minds, family comes first. Honestly, I don’t know how we do it — most days, I don’t think we run on sleep.
As a teacher, how do you find your expertise in education and child development translate to being a parent?
I’m a fourth grade teacher primarily, but last year I worked in special education. I went back to fourth grade because the demands of special ed were too much to balance with my son’s needs, but that experience taught me how to advocate for him. Before he even left the hospital, I had early intervention lined up. I knew the language, the process and how to push for appropriate services. I helped shape his IFSP, set meaningful goals and clearly communicated what I was seeing developmentally so we could get him the support he needs.
Family Favorites
Meal To Share: Taco Tuesday
Movie or TV Show To Watch: “Jeopardy.” We made it a habit of watching in the hospital when Sammy was born because it was something that just came on the TV in his room, and we made it a habit when he got home, too.
Game To Play: We haven’t played a game in a long time. Oh, who has time to play a game with babies?
Place To Vacation: We have not had a chance to go on a family vacation yet. We normally like to vacation down in Georgia, where my husband’s mother lives.
