Living the Sky Life - Our Autism Journey

Laurie Hellmann
  • 4.9 (77)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

This podcast comes to you from a very tired and eternally hopefully autism mom of an adult son with profound needs. My intention is to bring together caregivers of special needs children and those who may want to gain a better understanding of our challenges and triumphs. Through the sharing of our stories and experience, I hope to build a larger, more inclusive community of support. Living the Sky Life offers a personal connection from someone who walks daily in caregiver shoes.

  1. Jul 30

    S6: Episode 189 - Where will they live? The question that started Partners4Housing

    Pam Blanton, Founder and CEO of Partners4Housing, established the organization to create a better pathway for families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to develop Shared Living solutions and identify compatible roommates. She brings 35 years of experience in special needs housing and possesses extensive expertise in navigating critical public benefits and housing resources, including SSI, SSDI, Medicaid-funded personal care services, state residential supports, supported employment income, and Section 8 housing subsidies. Pam is a recognized leader in her field and has been honored for her longstanding commitment to expanding housing opportunities for people with disabilities, including receiving the Friend of Housing Award (2007) and the Margaret M. Sevy Lifetime Achievement Award (2025). Visit the Partners4Housing website: https://partners4housing.com ***************************************** To purchase my books "Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism" or "Selling Vegetables to Drunks" click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways.  Please visit my website lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast!  If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me!

    S6: Episode 189 - Where will they live? The question that started Partners4Housing

  2. Jul 23

    S6: Ep. 188 - Chatting with Karen Kelly (mom of The Big Dude) about transitioning her adult son to assisted living

    Karen is the mother and guardian of Eric, the Big Dude. He is a 52 year old gentleman who is nonverbal, profoundly autistic, and 6 feet, 5 inches tall. He was diagnosed as autistic in 1977. Karen has been a registered nurse for over 50 years. She has worked in many areas of nursing, including hospital administration, clinical practice, and higher education. Her undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing emphasized the role of the nurse as a patient advocate. Her doctoral program included an emphasis on leadership in organizations. Those skills have helped her advocate for Eric, related to his diagnosis and education as a child and a teen and, in his adult years, for his quality residential care. Since 1990, Karen also used her advocacy skills and nursing knowledge as a volunteer panel member for the Human Rights Authority of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission. Panel members investigate potential violations of the rights of elderly, disabled, and mentally ill persons by schools, health care organizations, other service organizations, and jails/prisons. She has provided expert testimony on the needs of developmentally disabled persons and the financial implications of quality care in Illinois to committees of the Illinois General Assembly, hearings by legislators and state agencies, and in federal court as a member of a class action lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Human Services. *********************************************************** To purchase my books "Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism" or "Selling Vegetables to Drunks" click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways.  Please visit my website lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast!  If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me!

    S6: Ep. 188 - Chatting with Karen Kelly (mom of The Big Dude) about transitioning her adult son to assisted living

  3. Jun 4

    S6: Episode 187 - Jerry & Jo-Ann Turning (Part 2)

    I was so thrilled to sit down for another discussion with my friends the Turnings - who many of you know as the hearts and voices of the social media account 'Bacon & Juiceboxes.' It's been a few years since they were on my show so we had plenty to catch up on regarding all things parenting autism ... navigating adulthood with our sons, Spelling to Communicate (S2C), bridging the gap between first responders and special needs families, financial planning and more! Although we could've talked & laughed for many more hours, I know most listeners prefer short episodes, so I've broken our almost 2 hour recording into 2 parts.  ***************************************** To purchase my books "Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism" or "Selling Vegetables to Drunks" click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways.  Please visit my website lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast!  If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me!

    S6: Episode 187 - Jerry & Jo-Ann Turning (Part 2)

  4. May 28

    S6: Episode 186 - Jerry & Jo-Ann Turning (aka Bacon & Juiceboxes)

    I was so thrilled to sit down for another discussion with my friends the Turnings - who many of you know as the hearts and voices of the social media account 'Bacon & Juiceboxes.' It's been a few years since they were on my show so we had plenty to catch up on regarding all things parenting autism ... navigating adulthood with our sons, Spelling to Communicate (S2C), bridging the gap between first responders and special needs families, financial planning and more! Although we could've talked & laughed for many more hours, I know most listeners prefer short episodes, so I've broken our almost 2 hour recording into 2 parts.   ***************************************** To purchase my books "Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism" or "Selling Vegetables to Drunks" click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways.  Please visit my website lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast!  If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me!

    S6: Episode 186 - Jerry & Jo-Ann Turning (aka Bacon & Juiceboxes)

  5. May 7

    S6: Episode 185 - Mother's Day and Keeping the Faith

    Mother's Day can amplify comparison. Let's try to release the idea of what motherhood 'should' look like and embrace our version of motherhood as valid, meaningful and enough! Similarly, caregiving often forces us into a place where control is an illusion. Faith becomes less about having answers and more about trusting without them. Remember... faith isn't always loud- it's often just choosing to keep going! ***************************************** To purchase my books "Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism" or "Selling Vegetables to Drunks" click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways.  Please visit my website lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast!  If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me!

    S6: Episode 185 - Mother's Day and Keeping the Faith

  6. Apr 23

    S6: Episode 184 - Ashley Gillespie owner/director of Bloom Developmental Center

    Ashley Gillespie, M.A., is a child development specialist and the owner and clinical director of Bloom Developmental Center in League City, Texas. She specializes in working exclusively with autistic children, using a relational, play-based approach that integrates emotional development, sensory regulation, and movement. Her work is deeply personal. Growing up alongside her profoundly autistic cousin, Hailey, shaped how Ashley understands connection, communication, and the importance of truly seeing each child. That experience continues to guide and motivate her work today. Ashley partners closely with parents and caregivers, helping them better understand their child and build connections through everyday moments. Her approach focuses on developing the whole child through relationships, supporting the nervous system, and creating meaningful, lasting growth.  To connect with Ashley visit her IG page: @bloomdevelopmentalcenter or her website: https://www.bloomdevelopmentalcenter.com ***************************************** To purchase my books "Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism" or "Selling Vegetables to Drunks" click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways.  Please visit my website lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast!  If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me!

    S6: Episode 184 - Ashley Gillespie owner/director of Bloom Developmental Center

  7. Apr 9

    S6: Ep. 183 - I'm BACK!!

    After a longer than expected hiatus, Living the Sky Life podcast is BACK!! I'm looking forward to an impactful Season 6 filled with phenomenal guests, more solo episodes and frequent 'couples' episodes with my husband, Josh!

    S6: Ep. 183 - I'm BACK!!

  8. 05/09/2024

    S5: Episode 182 - Through his new book, this autism dad shares practical advice & hopes to be a voice for other fathers who may be struggling.

    A devoted family man, Harry Psaros has been happily married to his wife Michelle for 24 years and is a proud father of two sons, Costa "Gus" and Maximos "Max." With a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as minors in physics and philosophy, Harry has a strong educational foundation. Further expanding his expertise, he obtained a certification as a health coach from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition. Professionally, Harry serves as an Executive Neuroscience Account Specialist for AbbVie. Known affectionately by fans as the "Pitt Guru," he is a top social media influencer for University of Pittsburgh athletics and the senior writer for Pittsburgh Sports Now. Harry is on the Board of Directors for the Autism Caring Center, President of North Fayette Township's Parks and Recreation Board, Vice President of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Weirton, WV and one of the founders of North Fayette P.A.L.S. (an organization for special needs children). Harry is an avid reader, enjoys strength training, running, martial arts and lives to serve others.

    S5: Episode 182 - Through his new book, this autism dad shares practical advice & hopes to be a voice for other fathers who may be struggling.
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About

This podcast comes to you from a very tired and eternally hopefully autism mom of an adult son with profound needs. My intention is to bring together caregivers of special needs children and those who may want to gain a better understanding of our challenges and triumphs. Through the sharing of our stories and experience, I hope to build a larger, more inclusive community of support. Living the Sky Life offers a personal connection from someone who walks daily in caregiver shoes.

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