When you know something isn’t right, trust that inner voice.

In this powerful episode of The StrongHER Side Podcast, host Hannah Gair sits down with Tennessee mum Moriah Zwick to share the remarkable story of her son Noah, diagnosed with MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting fewer than 400 people worldwide.

Through honest, tear-filled conversation, Moriah opens up about the earliest signs she noticed—weak muscle tone, lack of eye contact, endless crying—and the frustration of being dismissed by doctors who told her “just keep swaddling.” She explains how one mother’s intuition and persistence led to life-changing answers after months of searching, misdiagnoses, and emotional exhaustion.

Together, Hannah and Moriah explore what it means to advocate for your child, to face grief after diagnosis, and to find identity and hope when life looks nothing like you imagined.

They talk about the emotional toll of caregiver burnout, the strain on relationships, and the courage it takes to keep showing up—day after day—for a child with special needs.

This conversation is a must-listen for any parent navigating rare diseases, medical advocacy, or the hidden weight of special-needs parenting. You’ll hear practical advice on how to push for answers, build community, and release guilt, plus simple ways to refill your emotional cup when you’re running on empty.

Follow Noah's Story:

Connect with Moriah on IG @holistically.special

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Keywords: MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome, rare genetic disorder, special needs parenting, caregiver burnout, motherhood podcast, mothers raising children with disabilities, carer support, advocacy for children, grief and acceptance, mental health for moms, StrongHER Side Podcast, trusting mother’s intuition, disability awareness, parenting a child with disabilities, resilient motherhood, self-care for caregivers, faith and hope in parenting, women’s stories podcast, raising a child with rare disease, MEF2C awareness, family resilience, special needs mothers community, emotional healing for parents.