Embracing Holland Angie Auldridge and Megan Barrett

This episode is all about taking care of the caregiver. Rory Lawrence, mother of a child with complex medical needs and staff member with David’s Refuge, talks with us about the organization she works for that pours into parents turned caregivers, and how she and her husband have found meaningful respite. We also talk about practical ways to weave in self-care that don’t require a sitter but can actually make a difference. 
 
Links
 
Sensory Pathway Booklet
 
The Intentional Family:  Simple Rituals to Strengthen Family Ties
 
Mae Bae Fan Club - Unique Apparel for Special Kids and Those Who Care for Them
 
David's Refuge
 
Rory’s Email - rorylawrence@davidsrefuge.org 
 
David's Refuge Private Facebook Page

For this episode, we share with you another Maryland parent and fellow autism mom, Lia McCabe, who started AutismWish.org which seeks to fulfill the wish lists of families across the country without all of the red tape of government programs. She and her husband also host a podcast called Embracing Autism, which is child focus and helps parents to understand and embrace their neurodiverse children. Give it a listen, follow, and subscribe to support their mission of helping families in the face of fear and the unknown. 
 
We talk about:
Neurodivergent parenting
Empathizing with sensory needs
The formation of Autism Wish and the Embracing Autism Podcast
Accepting behaviors that are harmless
How IQ testing is not designed for children who are non-verbal
Maintaining a positive perspective
Growing to understand that a diagnosis doesn't mean future dreams are gone
Lia’s website
Autism Wish
 
Autism Wish Facebook Page
 
Lia’s Recommended Books
 
More Than Words: A Parents Guide to Building Interaction and Language Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties by Fern Sussman
 
The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida
 
Other books mentioned
Autism Breakthrough by Raun K. Kaufman
An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate and Learn by Sally Rogers

This week we chat with Leylani Cardoso, warrior parent, and mother of Sophia, her daughter with Down Syndrome. Leylani and her family helped Sophia bring her passion for food and entertaining to life by creating the YouTube Channel Cheeky Sassy Me

In this episode, we chat with teacher, Maura Moore, cheerleader of her students, encourager of those in her life, and developer of the Meep! Maura shares with us her vision to help those who are struggling and ways we can help too!


We talk about:
Using creativity and crafting to support others The creation of emotional support orbs Helping others who are dealing with heavy things Creating and fueling a movement A creative way to connect during the pandemic


Links


All You Meep is Love


All You Meep Is Love Facebook Page

Meg's Favorite Cheap Crochet Hooks

In this episode, we chat with Aimee Darby, founder of the Eliza Hope Foundation. 


We talk about:


Recognizing and savoring the important moments  The devastation that is losing a child The remarkable way that Aimee has turned her grief into action A foundation built to nurture families running to multiple therapies  Her come one, come all concept that serves all levels of functioning Equipping families while they are dealing with a new diagnosis Passing it on when its incredibly difficult to do so Eliza's purposes and the lessons taught in her four and a half years here The ability to celebrate other’s successes  The critical importance of saying their name, and allowing their memory to live on

Related episodes


Seizing Joy and Grace with Tracy Umezu


Links


The Eliza Hope Foundation


The Pinecone Collection
Custom jewelry with all proceeds benefiting The Eliza Hope Foundation: 
 
Holland 
A blog post that Aimee wrote a month before Eliza passed


Eliza Hope
Aimee’s first blog post after Eliza’s passing

In this episode, we chat with Lauren Shillinger, a fierce advocate for her children and the passage of Brynleigh’s Act for Seizure Safe Schools. 


We talk about:


Finding a cause of her daughter’s epilepsy Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Traveling to Texas for brain surgery Learning to navigate the system Turning grief and energy toward rare disease advocacy The TS Alliance and her work with the Maryland chapter Brynleigh’s Act for Seizure Safe Schools Ways to introduce legislation Giving back and finding hope The joy found in paying it forward

Related episodes


Families That Advocate Together Stay Together with Laura Hatcher


Changing Spaces and Creating Hope with Christina Abernethy


Links


Maryland General Assembly - HB370


Maryland General Assembly - SB225 


Find your Maryland Representatives


Kindness is Golden book


Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureate, has speech and auditory processing issues


Low Intensity Support Services - LISS