Amber Mieras

Family Advisory Council Chair

Family Advisory Council Chair
About Me: I live in Peoria, AZ and am a mother of two. My son, Jax, has Down Syndrome and has struggled with eating since birth. He is now 8 years old and we have learned about the importance of celebrating the smallest successes and surrounding yourself with a strong community.

Yomi Ogedegbe

Family Advisory Council Chair Elect

Family Advisory Council Chair Elect

As a parent of two children, my family’s experience with Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) began with our older child, though we didn’t have a name for it for years. From early on, we faced countless challenges with Joshua’s eating habits. However, it wasn’t until he was 7 years old that we finally received a diagnosis of PFD, specifically oral dysphagia. Following both intensive feeding therapy and weekly feeding sessions, he is now able to chew appropriately and is successfully enjoying a variety of foods

Brandt Perry

Past Family Advisory Council Chair
Children: Austin, Brayden, and Sydney
Location: Arizona
About Me: Brandt Perry is a native of Arizona, where he and his wife Krya raise three energetic children – Austin, Brayden, and Sydney. The family’s first encounter with Feeding Matters came in 2016 when 18-month-old Brayden was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) and severe food allergies. Krya and Brandt love outdoor adventures and strive to inspire that same wonder and appreciation of nature in their children.

Julie Boos

Children: Alyssa & Landon
Location: Missouri
About Me: My son was diagnosed with dysphagia when he was 8 months old, and his primary nutrition source for 3 years was bottles of thickened Pediasure while we worked intensively with feeding therapists. He spent 6-7 years in and out of feeding therapy but now has a healthy relationship with food.

Heather Brusegard

Children: Eleanor, Scarlett, and Palmer
Location: Minnesota
About Me: Heather Brusegard resides right outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband Derek and three children, Eleanor (9), Scarlett (6.5), and Palmer (1). Scarlett and Palmer were born premature (28 weeks & 33 weeks) due to Heather developing Preeclampsia with severe features (Scarlett was also born with Intrauterine Growth Restriction – IUGR). Scarlett had a lengthy NICU stay due to feeding challenges with no known cause, at 114 days she went home with a Gtube placed and later developed  Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) at age three. Despite our best efforts Palmer followed his sisters footsteps and was discharged from the NICU at 99 days with a Gtube. Both children still remain Gtube dependent (mostly night-time feeds), but the future looks favorable for them to transition off of it. Heather has learned a plethora of knowledge and real-life experience from the NICU, feeding therapy, and inpatient feeding program and would like to help others navigating this journey.

Alba Chester

Children: Jake, Dylan, and Luke
Location: Arizona
About Me: Alba is originally from Puerto Rico. In 2014 she and her husband Travis settled in Arizona to raise their three boys. All three of her children have had PFD since infancy. Alba became a Power of Two Coach in 2017 and then joined the Family Advisory Council in 2019.

Dana Kizer

Children: guardian to brother Sean
Location: Texas
About Me: Dana lives in The Woodlands, Texas with her family. She grew up accompanying her younger brother Sean to feeding therapy. Her personal experience with PFD over many years inspired her to pursue occupational therapy to help other families navigate the complex world of feeding disorders.

Talia Laughter

Location: Arizona
About me: I am from the Navajo Nation living in the greater Phoenix area. As a married mother of five, I embrace the joys and challenges that come with raising a family. My youngest child faces feeding challenges related to a diagnosis of Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome). Our journey led us to the Feeding Matters community through our pediatrician. I am deeply grateful for the support, resources, and information that Feeding Matters provides.

Emily O’Conly

Child: Grayson
Location: Pittsburgh PA
About me: I am the mother of a 10-year-old with ARFID who is Autistic. I have also struggled personally with ARFID and a comorbid eating disorder, and I am trying to learn as much as possible to help myself, my child, and others in the community. I work in a pediatric medical practice utilizing my lived experience as a parent to act as a bridge between caregivers and medical professionals with the goal of empowering families as they navigate the often challenging and isolating system that is behavioral and mental health.

Liz Wiseman Smith

Children: Z and V
Location: Massachusetts
About Me: Liz Wiseman is a parent of two fantastic kids, Z and V. Z was born at 31.5 weeks with complex congenital heart defects and was TPN and then nj-tube fed at birth. After six months Z was sent home from the hospital with an j-g tube, eventually transitioned to g tube, and enterally fed until approximately 5 years of age when Z developed oral feeding skills. Z recently graduated from a g-tube and is orally feeding! Liz learned a lot over the course of Z’s journey and wants to help other families benefit from best practices.

Tricia Walsh

Location: Anthem, AZ
I’m a mother of two. My oldest was diagnosed with Pediatric Feeding Disorder in 2022. We’ve been fortunate to have a lot of familial support and a fantastic SLP to provide Feeding Therapy. I’m excited to get involved with Feeding Matters, to advocate for others using the knowledge I’ve gained from our family’s struggles, and to support others in their unique journeys.

Garrett Barnes

Member since 2016

Lucia Cota

Member since 2017

Olivia Douglass

Member since 2022

Elizabeth Hale

Member since 2006

Kimberly Lechner, PhD

Member since 2017

Cathy Humphrey

Member since 2015

Heather Joy Magdelano

Member since 2016

Gina Merola

Member since 2006

Robyn Neiderer, MSN, CRNP

Member since 2015

Renee Uzelac

Member since 2017

Heidi Van der Molen

Member since 2015

Emily Adams

Children: Kendall & Morgan
Location: Ohio
About Me: Fierce, PFD-fighting mama of two who is always looking for opportunities to advocate and create awareness of pediatric feeding disorder for medical professionals and families.