In the Know - Westport Moms

In the Know

Meet Nathalie!

Meet Nathalie!

In honor of Brain Tumor Awareness month, we wanted to share the story of a Westport Mom who is a brain tumor survivor, and recently published a book sharing her story. Titled “8-Rediscovering Life After a Brain Tumor” because the number 8 was the only thing she could see after her brain surgery, Nathalie details for her daughter life before her tumor, and the many challenges she faced after, including having to relearn how to read and write at age 35. Today, Nathalie loves time at the beach, margaritas at BarTaco and is grateful to the many friends who have been like family to her. Nathalie’s is a story of hope, resilience and persistence – and a reminder that we moms are often even stronger than we ever knew we needed to be!

Meet Nicole!

Meet Nicole!

While many know Nicole after her decade in Westport, many still may not know about the incredible organization, AWARE (Assisting Women though Action Resources and Education) for which she is the Director of Operations here in CT. AWARE selects new organizations each year to support, and their June 1st Annual Event (buy your tickets today!!) will support The Girl’s Club at the CT Institute for Refugees! Outside of her philanthropic efforts, Nicole loves family hikes at Lake Mohegan, cooking for friends (she has a degree in Culinary Arts!) and sleeping in on the rare occasion she can! Nicole swears by good mascara and the apps “Our Pact” (for monitoring family screen time) and “Cozi” (for staying organized). Like all of us, she is learning with her children and is excited by all that lies ahead!

Meet Alisyn!

Meet Alisyn!

For anyone at the Mother’s Day Celebration panel, the presence of Alisyn Camerota was a special treat. In addition to being incredibly smart, poised, and very skilled with a mic=), she is humble, funny, and not afraid to admit this parenting this is HARD! She shares with us here how she knew from age 15 she wanted to be a broadcast journalist. In addition to being the anchor of CNN’s morning show, New Day, she is mom to three here in Westport, and currently writing her memoir with a lot of focus on her love of 80s punk rock bands, a love she still has today. Alisyn is a true gem in this community, and we are lucky to have her.

Meet Kitt!

Meet Kitt!

An 18 year Westport native, with four children in their 20s, Kitt is the proud new-ish owner of West, the beloved store in downtown Westport. When the former owner was moving to LA, a combination of Kitt’s love for the store, fashion and local business compelled her to take it over – and we’re so glad she did! While we know and are so grateful that Kitt loves Westport, what many don’t know is that Kitt was once a competitive figure skater, and in another life may find herself in law enforcement! Kitt swears by sunscreen, would love to see True Food Kitchen come to Westport, and is known for her positivity- as she says, you never know when a smile may change someone’s life – or your own!

Special Needs Spotlight – Meet Chloe!

Special Needs Spotlight – Meet Chloe!

For our final special needs spotlight this month, we want to highlight Chloe and the Kiev family, who help remind us all to live in the moment, and that unfiltered emotion and reactions is one of the most authentic ways to live. Their daughter Chloe was born with William Syndrome, which has impacted her development since the day she was born. Since that day, the Kiev family has found their new normal, and embraces the energy Chloe adds to their lives. Her mom Johanna has played a meaningful role in the Special Ed community, resulting in an incredible program of opportunities being added to the YMCA curriculum for families – and children – like theirs. Johanna shares that Chloe has taught them that having a child with special needs doesn’t define what you (or they) can or can not do; it just asks that you modify your approach to those things in some unexpected way.

Register Today for STAR Inc's 14th Annual Walk, Run and Roll on Sunday, May 5th!

Register Today for STAR Inc's 14th Annual Walk, Run and Roll on Sunday, May 5th!

Area 5k runners and walkers are lacing up for the 14th Annual STAR 5k Run, Walk & Roll on Sunday, May 5 at Sherwood Island State Park. Runners and Walkers can register online at www.starct.org. The event includes a Family Fun Day celebration and fundraiser to benefit local individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

Special Needs Highlight  – Meet the Mann Boys!

Special Needs Highlight – Meet the Mann Boys!

As a mom to two boys with varying Autism disorders, Gena Mann knows as much as anyone what being brave and resilient and kind is all about. While life may be a bit less predictable, and things like family dinners out or trips might be a bit less frequent, she and her husband – and their two younger daughters have come to really embrace the unique joy these boys bring to their world. Gena has spent much of her free time devoted to providing awareness and support for other parents of children with special needs, most recently with her launch of Wolf + Friends to connect people in a specific area with other parents who “get it.” While Gena admits her family often gets those funny stares, they focus as much as possible on enjoying every day and uncovering the passions each of her four incredible children has.

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