Addendum (Updated After Original Release)
Since the release of this episode, the Thomson family experienced an unimaginable loss. Bella passed away on July 14, 2024, after multiple medical complications.
Bella’s life was extraordinary—not because of what she endured, but because of the light, joy, humor, and connection she gave so freely to the world. The love within the Thomson family is something you can feel, even through a screen, and it continues to ripple outward in deeply meaningful ways.
At Parent Empowerment Network, we are honored to continue sharing Bella’s story and carrying forward the light and love she brought into this world.
If this episode resonates with you, we encourage you to follow Kyla’s ongoing work. Through her podcast Beyond Brave, she shares honest, powerful reflections on resilience, grief, healing, and what it means to keep going while carrying deep love.
Learn more and listen to Beyond Brave:
https://linktr.ee/kylact
Original show notes from February 2024:
In this episode, we’re joined by Kyla Thomson—mom to Bella Brave—whose story is both deeply personal and powerfully universal.
Kyla shares what it means to parent a child with complex medical needs—the fear, the advocacy, the constant decision-making—and how her family’s journey transformed not only their lives, but the lives of countless others who found hope through Bella’s story.
This conversation moves through the real experience of medical parenting:
- the isolation that can quietly build
- the moments of humor that become lifelines
- the shift from surviving to connecting
- and the unexpected ways community can form—even in the hardest seasons
Kyla speaks openly about turning pain into purpose, learning to trust her instincts as a parent, and finding support in places she never expected.
We also explore:
- navigating the healthcare system and advocating for your child
- the power of parental intuition
- processing trauma and healing (including EMDR therapy)
- and the importance of having tools and support when everything feels uncertain
This episode is not just a story—it’s a shared experience of resilience, love, and the strength that can emerge even in the most overwhelming circumstances.
Kyla Thomson: https://linktr.ee/kylact
