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Dad to Dad Podcast

Dad to Dad Podcast

By: David Hirsch
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Fathers mentoring fathers of kids with special needs - presented by the Special Fathers Network. Host David Hirsch interviews some amazing fathers of kids with special needs.Copyright David Hirsch
Episodes
  • SFN Dad To Dad 407 - Jeff Wallis of Valparaiso, IN A Veterinarian & Father Of A Son Who Had HADDTS Before Passing Away At 18

    SFN Dad To Dad 407 - Jeff Wallis of Valparaiso, IN A Veterinarian & Father Of A Son Who Had HADDTS Before Passing Away At 18
    Dec 5 2025
    Our guest this week is Jeff Wallis, of Valparaiso, IN who is a veterinarian and father of who had a son with Hypotonia, Ataxia, Developmental Delay, and Tooth-Enamel Defects Syndrome (HADDTS) an extremely rare but serious genetic condition caused by a mutation in the CTBP1 gene.

    Jeff and his wife, Mindy, have married for 22 years and are the proud parents of Charles 18, who very sadly past away in May, who had Hypotonia, Ataxia, Developmental Delay, and Tooth-Enamel Defects Syndrome (HADDTS) an extremely rare but serious genetic condition caused by a mutation in the CTBP1 gene.

    We learn about a host of organizations that played a key role in the Wallis family and on behalf of Charles including; the HADDTS Foundation, University of Chicago Genetics, Kids Work and Jacob's Ladder.

    We also learn about an epic cross country RV trip the family took with Charles during COVID to provide him with some extraordinary memories.

    While Charles lived a relatively short life, the Wallis family story one is about making the most of the situation and celbrating life.

    Show Notes -
    Phone – (219) 771-6129
    Email – wallisje1@yahoo.com
    HADDTS Foundation – https://www.haddtsfoundation.org/
    Jacob’s Ladder - https://www.jacobskids.org/

    Special Fathers Network -
    SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."

    SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

    Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

    Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

    Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
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    31 mins
  • SFN Dad To Dad 406 - Dave Tolmie With Tumsifu Munuo of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Director of Faraja School & Father Of A Child With Autism

    SFN Dad To Dad 406 - Dave Tolmie With Tumsifu Munuo of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Director of Faraja School & Father Of A Child With Autism
    Nov 28 2025
    Our guests this week are Dave Tolmie of Lake Forest IL and Tumsifu Munuo, of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

    In 1999, Dave Tomlie's parents, John and Joann, raised $250,000 and with the help of the Lutheran Church built Faraja School, a boarding school for one hundred K-7 youth with physical disabilities, where Tumsifu serves as director.

    In addiiton to the Faraja School, the Tolmie family created the Faraja Fund Foundation where Dave and his brothers have been instramentally involved for decades. John serves as vice-president, Paul is secretary/treasurer, and Dave is chairman of the board of directors.

    More recently the Faraja Fund Foundation created Faraja Forward a mobile outreach clinic and partnership with local health care providers as well as other specialists to serve families beyond those able to attend Faraja School. Faraja Forward is filling the unmet healthcare needs of hundreds of additional children in more remote locations, offering diagnosis, psychosocial support, physical and occupational therapy, and training to mothers and village health workers.

    It's an uplifting story about how a U.S. family has been able to transform the lives of thousands of families half way around the world through faith, education and building community around those touched by physical disabilities, all on this episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.

    Show Links -
    Phone – (312) 927-5010
    Email – dmtolmie@gmail.com
    WhatsApp - +255 757 594 204
    Email – munuotumsifu4@gmail.com
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tolmie-b3339889/
    Website – https://www.farajaschool.org/

    Special Fathers Network -
    SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."

    SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

    Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

    Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

    Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • SFN Dad To Dad 405 - JP Klop of Alberta, Canada, A Draftsman & Father Of Two Including One With Schwachman Diamond Syndrome

    SFN Dad To Dad 405 - JP Klop of Alberta, Canada, A Draftsman & Father Of Two Including One With Schwachman Diamond Syndrome
    Nov 21 2025
    Our guest this week is John Peter (JP) Klop of Alberta, Canada who is a draftsman with JPR Industries and father of two young children including a son with Schwachman Diamond Syndrome.

    JP and his wife, Lianna, have married for three years and are the proud parents of two young children: Anna (1) and Isaac (2), who has Schwachman Diamond Syndrome, which is characterized by: inability to digest food due to missing digestive enzymes, low muscle tone, anemia, skeletal findings and intellectual disability.

    JP is very open and authentic about the challenges related to SDS and his own brush with Autism that runs in his family.

    We’ll hear JP’s story, his commitment to family and service to others all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

    Show Notes -
    Phone – (226) 231-0933
    Email – jpklop@outlook.com
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpeterklop/
    Website – https://shwachman-diamond.org/

    Special Fathers Network -
    SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."

    SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

    Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

    Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

    Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
    Show more Show less
    30 mins
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