Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Becca Schroeder. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Becca, thanks for joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I have always wanted to help people so a career in social work just seemed like the right choice. When I first began this journey I wanted to be a counselor and eventually own my own practice providing counseling services to people for free. This all changed when, after years of trying, my husband and I discovered we were pregnant! I was overjoyed, as any soon to be new mom would be. Then one day we went to our anatomy scan and our doctor uttered 3 words that would forever alter the course of our lives: Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. Suddenly we were launched into the world of medical complexities. We were forced to ask ourselves very hard questions: Given her prognosis, should we keep or terminate? Should we relocate for medical services? Should we have a baby shower? Should we giver her a name? Should we create a baby registry? Should we be excited?… The list goes on and on. We were heartbroken. For myself, I knew I had to get to the point where I just had to believe she would be okay until it was proven otherwise. I just had to hold on to hope. Hope is hardest to find in the darkness and we were in a very dark place for a while. It was at this moment the idea for the CDH Foundation was formed. I knew how much I needed community. I was lonely. A medical diagnosis has a way of isolating you and making you feel utterly alone and filled with despair. I wanted to create a space for families to come together, to share their most authentic selves with others who just get it. After my daughter was born, I tried to create that community for myself but even though I was in a hospital with several other CDH families there was still a big disconnect. That is when I decided to create an online support system where we could connect families virtually. We operate 2 virtual support groups that meet monthly. One of them is a peer led loss support group. Parents who have lost a child to CDH really need a space to come and share their stories with others who have been there. In addition to this we have a monthly book club that meets and anyone can join. We have been meeting for a few years and we have moms from every part of the CDH journey from a recent diagnosis, additional diagnoses and even moms who have lost a child. We come together to remember we are more than just mamas, we are women who value and need connection. My journey with CDH has shown me that this life is fragile. It has made me oh so aware of the truth that tomorrow is not promised. Every single breath my daughter takes is one she has fought for. Every additional rehospitalization after leaving the NICU has shown me that CDH is a lifelong journey that does not end if you are fortunate enough to bring your child home. Every single moment of this journey has been filled with mountains and valleys. It has been hard but it has been worth it. So much of this diagnosis leaves you paralyzed because there is very little you can do. As a NICU mom, you feel so helpless standing next to your child who is covered in wires and being kept alive by machines. Starting the CDH Foundation was my way of taking back some of that control. I may not be able to help my child in this moment, but I can find ways to help others who are facing the same thing I am.

Becca, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Rebecca Schroeder and I have a masters degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. My husband Jeff and I have been married for 15 years and we have 2 amazing kiddos. While being a wife and mother are both things I am exceedingly proud of, I am so very proud of the CDH Foundation and all that we have accomplished in just a few short years. I had a dream of helping other families combat the isolation, answer the tough questions and even meet financial needs of families who receive this diagnosis. The CDH Foundation is doing that and more!

Any advice for managing a team?

I try my very best to see every member of my team as valuable and loved. The CDH Foundation has a board of directors comprised of all CDH moms, we have been through moments that should have broken us and yet we are still standing. More than that, we are trying to make the world a better place for other families. I am proud of each member of my team and I try to make sure they know that. We spend a few moments at each meeting catching up and between meeting I make it a habit of knowing what is going on in their lives so that I can be as supportive as I can be. I approach team leadership with humility and try to alway see the best in others.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Social Work is absolutely a work of heart and helping others is a way to change the world. In small acts of kindness we seek to make the world a better place and that is the most amazing gift in the world. Remember that on the days when things are hard and you will go far.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecdhfoundation.org
• Instagram: cdhfoundation
• Facebook: thecdhfoundation
• Other: Spotify: RealTalk: CDH – https://open.spotify.com/show/34FyeMXh1g4vGfsumedir0?si=f6c8a8ff43d949a1