By on

ETB 36 – In this episode I talk with Mike Lutey, owner of Special Strong – South East Houston. Special Strong provides science-based adaptive and inclusive fitness programs for children, adolescents, and adults with mental, physical and cognitive challenges.

Mike believes giving up his corporate job to become the very first franchise in Special Strong’s history, is his calling.  The franchise was founded in 2016 by Daniel and Trinity Stein. Daniel Stein was diagnosed with a learning disability, mood disorder and autoimmune issues at an early age and used specialized exercises to overcome his challenges.

Mike noticed with his sister Melissa, who has Down syndrome that after high school there were no real outlets for activity, fitness or even social outlets.  That’s one reason he puts a big emphasis on group classes.  Melissa was a big inspiration for Mike making his career move.  He saw so much growth when she was just part of a group.

Along with the group classes, Mike also offers one-on-one classes for anyone who needs that extra attention or maybe just needs to build up a trust factor before joining group activities.

Currently,  his class offerings include Boot Camp, Kickboxing, Bounce Camp, Adaptive Aquatic Fitness and Adaptive Dance.  Special Strong – South East Houston offers  a 7 day free trial.  Mike invites people to come in for a week and try all the classes. He says, “Come and try them out.  See what you like, what works, what doesn’t work.  We also have a free session for our one-on-ones.  Come and try it all.  We welcome that. ”

Special Strong has a non-profit scholarship for services for anyone who may need it.  See the link below.

Connect with Mike:
Email:  Mike.Lutey@specialstrong.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/specialstronghoustontx
Cell:  832-338-4861

Special Strong Champions Foundation Sponsorship Application
https://form.jotform.com/specialstrong/sschampions-scholarship-application

Connect with Sandy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

By on

ETB 33:  In this episode I announce a brief break as we quarantine, then head out on a family vacation.

I will see you on July 6th with another amazing parent to inspire and encourage you.  Until then, here are some things to keep you entertained:

Play Wordle
https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html

Become a Lego Sculptor (and leave your Law Degree behind)
https://youtu.be/8CP9hzSm60Y

Learn to Frost a Cake – A Beginner’s Guide
https://youtu.be/OxcWDrPAeWM

Play the Harmonica
https://youtu.be/ddM5RlWSJ4E

Start Your Own Podcast
https://youtu.be/Q8pfZna6H6Q

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

By on

ETB 32:  In this episode I share a story about a time when Josiah at 9 years old, left our home unescorted and none of us were aware that he was even gone.   Sadly, this was not the first time it happened and it most definitely was not the last.  We had some pretty frightening experiences with Josiah eloping.   Despite our best efforts to keep him safely INSIDE our home, he was clever and oh so fast at figuring out how to slip away unattended.  He had no sense of danger or the ability to protect himself.

Fortunately, we either found him pretty quickly each time or he was returned to us by a kind stranger.   I’m so grateful Josiah’s eloping days are over.  It was a terrifying time for us.

Statistics suggest nearly half of children with autism wander or bolt from safe places.  If you have a child who wanders, my heart goes out to you.  Elopement is a very difficult behavior to work through.

Here are some resources and products that may help:

What to Do When Your Child Elopes
https://www.marcus.org/autism-resources/autism-tips-and-resources/what-to-do-when-your-child-elopes

Wandering Off (Elopement) Autism Tool Kit
https://pediatrust.com/Autism-Wandering-Off-Elopement

The Autism Project – Elopement Prevention Community
https://theautismproject.org/training-education/elopement-prevention/elopement-prevention-general-resources

AngelSense Tracking Device
https://www.angelsense.com/gps-for-autism-wandering/

Autism Elopement and Wandering Kit for Families
https://parentingchaos.com/autism-elopement-wandering-kit-for-families/

Pathfinders for Autism – Tracking Devices
https://pathfindersforautism.org/resources/safety/tracking-devices/

The Best Kids GPS Trackers and Wearables of 2022
https://www.safewise.com/resources/wearable-gps-tracking-devices-for-kids-guide/

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

By on

ETB 31:  In this 2nd half of a 2 part episode I continue to talk with former guests Jean and Brianna TenBrink, a dynamic mother/daughter duo about Project LEAH (Leaders Ending Abuse & Harm) a community coalition against educator abuse and mistreatment of children with disabilities in Texas public schools.

Jean,  an advocacy coordinator and mother of 3 daughters, 2 of whom are on different ends of the autistic spectrum  talks about the abuse her youngest daughter Leah was subject to in her self-contained classroom by teachers Jean knew well and trusted.  The abuse was misrepresented and school officials lied about the mistreatment.  It wasn’t until Jean watched video footage of the abuse herself, that she was made fully aware of all that her daughter endured at the hands of those they believed had Leah’s best interest at heart.

Brianna, Jean’s oldest daughter is the Director of Marketing and Sales for Neural Divergence, LLC.  As a Partner in the Texas Partners and Policymaking Program and a very recent MBA graduate, Brianna has been a tireless advocate for individuals with disabilities for the past 13 years, winning the Sibling Scholarship from Knapps and Roberts law firm, the Rose Award from disAbility Connections, Inc., and Advocate of the Year award from the Arc of the Gulf Coast which granted her the opportunity to speak on the experiences of being a sibling at district-wide conferences.

Together Jean and Brianna have co-founded Project LEAH (Leaders Ending Abuse & Harm), an organization that armors parents, families and allies of loved ones of students in the Texas Public School System who have endured restraint, assault or seclusion with educational, legislative advocacy training to foster macro-level change.

Project LEAH is affiliated with The Arc of Texas, Disability Rights Texas, Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint, and Texas Partners in Policymaking.

This is part 2 of a 2 part series.   If you haven’t heard the first half of the Project LEAH interview,  be sure to listen to it in its entirety.  Jean and Brianna share their hearts and vision for ending abuse and harm in schools.

Project LEAH TX
https://linktr.ee/projectleahtx

End #restraint #assault & #seclusion

Project LEAH Private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4127855043987645/

Arc of Texas
https://www.thearcoftexas.org/

Disability Rights Texas
https://www.disabilityrightstx.org/en/home/

Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint
https://endseclusion.org/

Texas Partners in Policymaking
https://txpartners.org/

Connect with Brianna:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebriannashley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briashten

Connect with Jean:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superautismmom/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jean.tenbrink

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

By on

ETB 30:  In this episode, I talk with former guests Jean and Brianna TenBrink, a dynamic mother/daughter duo about Project LEAH (Leaders Ending Abuse & Harm) a community coalition against educator abuse and mistreatment of children with disabilities in Texas public schools.

Jean,  mother of 3 daughters, 2 of whom are on different ends of the autistic spectrum is an advocacy coordinator who helps build bridges between home and school for families that have a child with a disability.  She talks about the abuse her youngest daughter Leah was subject to in her self-contained classroom by teachers Jean knew well and trusted.  The abuse was misrepresented and school officials lied about the mistreatment.  It wasn’t until Jean watched video footage of the abuse herself, that she was made fully aware of all that her daughter endured at the hands of those they believed had Leah’s best interest at heart.

Brianna, Jean’s oldest daughter is the Director of Marketing and Sales for Neural Divergence, LLC.  As a Partner in the Texas Partners and Policymaking Program and a very recent MBA graduate, Brianna has been a tireless advocate for individuals with disabilities for the past 13 years, winning the Sibling Scholarship from Knapps and Roberts law firm, the Rose Award from disAbility Connections, Inc., and Advocate of the Year award from the Arc of the Gulf Coast which granted her the opportunity to speak on the experiences of being a sibling at district-wide conferences.

Together Jean and Brianna have co-founded Project LEAH (Leaders Ending Abuse & Harm), an organization that armors parents, families and allies of loved ones of students in the Texas Public School System who have endured restraint, assault or seclusion with educational, legislative advocacy training to foster macro-level change.

Project LEAH is affiliated with The Arc of Texas, Disability Rights Texas, Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint, and Texas Partners in Policymaking

Project LEAH TX
https://linktr.ee/projectleahtx

End #restraint #assault & #seclusion

Project LEAH Private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4127855043987645/

Arc of Texas
https://www.thearcoftexas.org/

Disability Rights Texas
https://www.disabilityrightstx.org/en/home/

Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint
https://endseclusion.org/

Texas Partners in Policymaking
https://txpartners.org/

Connect with Brianna:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebriannashley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briashten

Connect with Jean:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superautismmom/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jean.tenbrink

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/