“You make the best decision for yourself and your family—and you stick with it.”- Kim Pena
What happens when you’re handed unexpected news at your child’s birth—and there’s no clear roadmap ahead? In this reposted episode, educator and mom Kim Pena shares her powerful journey as the parent of a child born with Microtia Atresia, a rare congenital condition affecting the ear. Kim was one of Katie’s very first guests on the Child Life On Call podcast, and her story is still a listener favorite to this day. In this repost, Katie kicks off the episode by giving us a quick update about Kim’s son.
From discovering her son’s diagnosis at birth to making emotional, high-stakes decisions about surgery and hearing aids, Kim walks us through her family’s deeply personal experience with compassion, clarity, and humor.
In this episode, you'll learn:
✅ What Microtia Atresia is and how it affects children
✅ How Kim and her husband navigated hearing loss, reconstructive surgery, and insurance battles
✅ Why early intervention with hearing aids changed everything
✅ What recovery and long-term care looked like for their son
✅ How to find trusted resources and support if your child is diagnosed
Kim’s story offers encouragement, practical wisdom, and a reminder that joy often shines through the hardest moments.
⏱️ [00:00] – Introduction: Meet Kim and Thomas
Kim’s background as an educator, and how her son’s birth revealed an unexpected diagnosis
⏱️ [02:00] – What Is Microtia Atresia?
Definition and how it affects the outer and middle ear
Kim learns about the condition immediately after birth
⏱️ [04:00] – Family History and Diagnosis Challenges
The connection to Kim’s brother-in-law
Why this condition wasn’t caught on ultrasound
⏱️ [07:00] – Building a Support System
How Kim’s relationship with her father-in-law became essential
Finding emotional and logistical support from someone who’s been there
⏱️ [09:00] – First Surgeries and Hearing Tests
Understanding Thomas’s hearing loss
The process of getting tested, hearing aids, and early therapy
⏱️ [11:00] – Choosing the Right Surgery
Exploring different surgical options, including rib graft and Medpor
Why Kim’s family chose a single-surgery approach
⏱️ [13:00] – Surgery Day and Recovery
A 13-hour surgery and the emotional toll
Why recovery in California brought unexpected connections
⏱️ [16:00] – Post-Surgery Life & Daily Care
What healing looked like in the months after
Kim’s advice on establishing trust, prepping a toddler, and using distraction
⏱️ [20:00] – The Bittersweet Nature of Change
Letting go of “his little ear”
Gratitude for what the journey has taught their family
⏱️ [22:00] – Research, Advocacy & Making Confident Choices
The role of online communities and navigating defensiveness
Why Kim recommends aiding early—and being unapologetic about your choices
⏱️ [27:00] – A Life-Changing Hearing Aid Moment
The first time Thomas could hear clearly—how it changed their world
Why Kim wishes she had recorded that moment
⏱️ [29:00] – Final Reflection: Raising a “Joy Boy”
Despite everything, Thomas’s joy and resilience shine through
Why Kim’s journey is one of perspective, peace, and purpose
📌 Learn More About Microtia Atresia:
microtia.net – Up-to-date education & support
earcommunity.org – Parent-led advocacy and insurance help
microtiasurgery.com – Thomas’s surgeon with videos and guides
pediatricent.com – Additional surgical resource (Dr. Bonilla, San Antonio)
Know someone raising a child with Microtia Atresia? Share this episode to let them know they’re not alone.
💬 Leave a comment or tag us on Instagram: @childlifeoncall
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📩 Contact us: lyndsey@childlifeoncall.com
The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.