David Hirsch’s guest this week is Colonel Mark Huhtanen of Columbia, SC, a 25 year combat veteran of the US ARMY, who has served four active duty tours, and is the father of two, including a non-verbal son with Autism.

Mark and his wife, Shelly, have been married for 18 years and are the proud parents of two boys;
Hayden (17) and Broden (15) who is non-verbal and has Autism.

Serving in the military and raising a family presents unique challenges. Raising a child with special needs, while serving in the military requires an extra level of dedication and additional resources like that offered through the military's Exceptional Family Member
Program, also known as EFMP.

In addition to being a military spouse, which has entailed several moves, being a mom and raising two boys, Shelly somehow found the time to author the book: Giving A Voice To The Silent Many and writes a regular column for Exceptional Parent Magazine entitled: Puzzles & Camo.

It's a patriotic and uplifting story about a couple's commitment to serve our country, while raising two boys and making a difference in the lives of countless other military families and beyond.

That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.

Email - markhuhtanen@gmail.com

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) – https://efmp.amedd.army.mil

Exceptional Parent Magazine - https://www.epmagazine.com

Check out Shelly’s book: “Giving A Voice To The Silent Many.” https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Voice-Silent-Shelly-Huhtanen/dp/1940129834

Or check out the book’s website, where you can contact Mark or Shelly: http://silentmany.com/giving-a-voice-to-the-silent-many/

Special Fathers Network -
SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network/

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA

Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/