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In this episode I talk with Jeanna TenBrink about the joys and challenges that go along with having  2 of her 3 daughters on the Autism spectrum.  Initially overwhelmed because she had no idea how to help them,  Jeanna didn’t stay in that space for long.  After diving in to learn everything possible about autism and after reaching out to connect with a group of caring moms on a similar journey, Jeanna became an amazing advocate not only for her own family but for many other families as well.

As an advocacy coordinator, she helps build bridges between home and school.  So it came as a devastating blow to learn one of her own daughters was being horribly mistreated in the classroom.  Jeanna shares her heart-wrenching story to remind parents of the importance of trusting your gut when you begin to sense something isn’t right.  If you start seeing red flags, start asking questions.

Today, Jeanna’s family is using that distressing experience as a springboard towards making positive changes at the legislative level.   They are looking for parents who want to share their stories, collaborate and advocate for systemic change in policies.

Connect with 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 abuse with educational, legislative advocacy training to foster macro-level change

Contact email:
projectleahtx@gmail.com

Connect with Chara Dance Academy:
https://www.charadance.com/

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

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In this episode I talk with Jennifer Anderson.  I promise not all of my guests are named Jennifer.  If they were, I’d have to change the name to the Jennifer Show.  That would just be silly.   However, if your name IS Jennifer and you’d like to be a guest, let me know.  How hard could it be to change the podcast name,  right?  But I digress.  This Jennifer showed up the day we recorded wearing a sparkly tiara because she’s just that fun.  She was also wearing a special shirt that announces to the world how proud she is to be an advocate for Macie, her  high energy, dance loving, prayerful 14 year old daughter who has Down syndrome.  Jennifer believes in treating a child with special needs just as you would any other child.  She encourages setting goals, being consistent with expectations and embracing your child’s hopes and dreams.

Connect with GHFEDS ~ Greater Houston Families Exploring Down Syndrome
Website:  http://ghfeds.org/

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

Hallelujah ~ Praise the Lord!

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JOSIAH NO LONGER WEARS A HELMET!!!!!

Today is day 7 without that bulky face-masked obstruction hiding his handsome face.  And, all it took was a trip to Florida.

If you know anything about Josiah you know it has been 3 years (how could it possibly be THREE years) that he has been wearing a padded helmet nearly every minute of every day.

He bathed in it, he slept in it, he ate in it.  He lived in that thing.  In fact, he needed several helmets so two could air out while one was on his head.

Over the past year or so there has been some success in removing the helmet for short periods of time. Depending upon who he was with and what he was doing, Josiah was even able to go 4-6 hours more recently without it.
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It Takes a Village

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So much for the self-imposed isolation.  Two weeks in we enthusiastically raised the white flag, announcing we were done!  There are only so many days one can thrive with limited sleep at night, then provide constant care during the day.  Rick and I just aren’t that young and energetic any more.  We had to weigh the risk of bringing caregivers back into our home versus the risk of sheer exhaustion.  It was a difficult decision.

It became less and less difficult as time wore on.

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Thankfully, He Wears a Helmet

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Josiah wears a batting helmet with a face guard.  He wears it all day, every day.  It’s big, bulky and cumbersome.  It makes eating and drinking a bit more interesting, navigating around the metal guard, but it works.

It protects his face and ears from self injurious behavior.

Prior to the face guard, it was extremely difficult to protect Josiah from himself.  For reasons still unknown, he constantly punched his ears and cheeks.

It’s heart wrenching to witness someone inflict self harm and not know how to help. When it’s your child it’s devastating, overwhelming and exhausting.  It was beginning to feel hopeless.

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