Read more about the article @SpringbrookBHS National Converge Autism Summit: Day 0
My thoughts / On the road

@SpringbrookBHS National Converge Autism Summit: Day 0

I wanted to share a quick update. I'm calling this day 0 because I'm here before everyone else. The actual summit begins in the morning and will last for 2 days. I'm finally in Greenville, South Carolina and settled in to my second hotel. I'll be here for the duration of my trip. Here's a brief video update about how everything is going. ☺ https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cc4K-wQF-YV/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Happy to answer any questions you may have. I'm exhausted and going to bed but it's been a good day. I'm looking forward to interviewing Ron Suskind in the morning. I'm also going to be meeting Kate Swenson of Finding Cooper's Voice tomorrow as well. I really miss everyone at home but this is an important trip for a number of reasons and I love…

0 Comments
April 27, 2022
Read more about the article Just a quick update
My thoughts

Just a quick update

Super quick update. I'm well on my way and heading towards Greenville, South Carolina for The National Converge Autism Summit, put on my my friends at Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health. I was feeling pretty anxious this morning but with a little help, I got that the anxiety in check. After driving for many hours today, I'm fighting off a headache and some good old fashioned exhaustion. I'm keeping the details of my travels private but I'll be sharing tons of stuff from the summit later this week. Most will be on IG so be sure to follow me there. Link at the top of this page or click here. ☺ I'm going to get some rest and hopefully shake the headache. I want to say thank you for all the…

1 Comment
April 26, 2022
Read more about the article Feeling Grateful
My thoughts

Feeling Grateful

I'm physically and emotionally getting ready for my big trip and I realized a few things. I'm going to be gone for five days and I've never been away from my kids for that long. I've never gone on a solo trip before and I've never been alone for more than a day or two. I was talking through this the other night and I recieved some really good advice. I understand the advice in my head but I'm not sure I can explain it well. Basically, the advice had to do with me feeling lonely while I'm gone. Honestly, that's something I've been a bit worried about. Rather than running from that feeling or trying to push it away, instead, I should lean into it. The idea is to…

0 Comments
April 14, 2022
Read more about the article What happens today doesn’t represent the rest of your journey
Because You Asked / My thoughts / Reels

What happens today doesn’t represent the rest of your journey

Its been a minute cause I'm currently remodeling the space I use for these videos. I've been reading the personal stories of people in the Autism Parenting support group I built in reddit. I wanted to hop on here share some thoughts about the autism parenting journey, feeling overwhelmed, and even desperate along the way. I've been there and these stories are heartbreaking at times. I hope this provides at least some comfort to those of you out there in the trenches. You're not alone and remember, what happens today doesn't represent the rest of your journey. I also want to invite you to join the other 8,500 families in my Autism Parenting sub. It's a safe space to talk about parenting, learn from autistic adults, and connect with others…

0 Comments
April 7, 2022
Read more about the article I’m happy, healthy, and making progress
_noise
My thoughts

I’m happy, healthy, and making progress

It's been a productive morning so far. Emmett got to school on time and is dealing with state testing today. He's not excited about these tests, even though he always does well. It's just added stress that I feel autistic kids really don't need. That's a whole other topic for a different day. I went walking this morning and then crammed in a decent workout before coming home and getting some work done. There are several projects that I'm waist deep in right now and it's a little overwhelming. At the same time, it's also exciting because I need the work and it means I'm doing something right. It's a little scary at times but it's a good problem to have. I'm working on organization and efficiency right now because…

0 Comments
March 30, 2022
Read more about the article Have you had to pursue guardianship of your adult #autistic child?
My thoughts

Have you had to pursue guardianship of your adult #autistic child?

I went on a walk this afternoon and it really helped me to work through some things. There's many reasons I love these afternoon walks but the company is one of the best parts about it. Today's walk really helped me to gain some much needed perspective. We were talking about ways of helping Gavin find greater levels of independence and part of that conversation centered on guardianship. Without going into detail, I've had some emotional roadblocks in regards to pursuing guardianship. The legal arrangements I've currently made are working well. That said, guardianship has always been on the table and it's something that has recently come up again. I'm an emotional person and there are some very real emotional hurdles in regards to pursuing guardianship. The conversation I had…

0 Comments
March 29, 2022
Read more about the article I guess I’m just feeling grateful
My thoughts

I guess I’m just feeling grateful

It's been a really good day. We started out rough and Emmett was sent home from school sick but we totally bounced back. I was able to get in a good workout and a couple miles at the track. It's really cold but I sorta like the cold. I'd rather it be cold than hot. I really enjoy walking at the park, regardless of the weather. It helps me stay centered and I need that in my life. I shot the picture while walking the track today. I was lost in thought and I realized that the path I was on reminded me of my life. I turn around and I can see all the footprints, from all the places I've been. Looking ahead is like a clean slate. My…

1 Comment
March 29, 2022
Read more about the article Bounced back from a rough morning and had a great day
_noise
My thoughts

Bounced back from a rough morning and had a great day

I made it to the event this morning but aside from the event coordinator, not a single member of the public showed up. The whole point was to answer questions surrounding the COVID vaccine. The was designed to help reduce vaccine hesitancy. I think it's a combination of people not caring and COVID exhaustion. In my county, 58% of those eligible are fully vaccinated and we need to be in the 70's and 80's for herd immunity. There's concern about another wave on the way, and trying to get as many people vaccinated as possible, is definitely a worthy cause. I'm sad that no one showed up but at the same time, I'm not surprised. Ohio weather is crazy. It was snowing like crazy when I walked out of the…

0 Comments
March 27, 2022