
The Adapted Life, Finding Next
I’m Julie Hasselberger. For 26 years, I was the full-time caregiver for my beloved son Daniel, whose life was marked by profound disability and extraordinary beauty. This podcast began as a way to support other parents navigating the complex, often isolating world of special needs caregiving. But life changed — heartbreakingly and irrevocably — when my son passed away.
Now, The Adapted Life, Finding Next is a space for truth-telling, tenderness, and transformation. It’s about what comes after the role that once defined you is gone. It’s about grief, relational trauma, resilience, and the raw, ongoing search for next — for purpose, healing, and connection.
If you’re facing a season of reckoning, rebuilding, or rediscovery, I invite you to walk with me. You are not alone. This is the adapted life… and together, we’ll find what comes next.
The Adapted Life, Finding Next
Living in alignment, core values, and being a caregiver
Episode 27
As caregiver for my son, who is 26 years old, I have had quite a journey. There have been times, when I felt completely lost and down, out of sync with who I am. Not even knowing what my core values are anymore, aside from the tough task of survival mode.
Part of self actualization, and striving towards a joyful life and soul purpose, is really taking stock of what your CORE VALUES are, and how your life is in alignment. It's the "taking a look" inward, that happens, and realizing that if you focus on becoming more aware what feels right, and what doesn't .
I talk about how I have not always been aware that things I was doing were not in alignment with who I was. As I have made changes, expansion in so many positive ways has happened or still is just beginning to happen.
I remain dedicated to caring for my son, of course. I talk about how he and I may be two separate lives, but I am LIVING FOR THE BOTH OF US. And, it makes so much sense for me to be living to my deepest souls purpose and core values, because I am a better Mom and caregiver to Daniel when I am deeply happy and fulfilled.
It may not be possible to do all of the things you desire, but you can take inventory and try to do less of what doesn't suit you, and more of what does.
I hope you enjoy the recording. It is my raw and heartfelt feelings after almost 26 years of being a caregiver for my beautiful son, and Mom to all of my beautiful kids.
I am very grateful for any ears that are listening.
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