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In this 2nd half of a 2 part episode I continue to talk with Ashley Bennett, boy mom of 3 and amazing Special Education teacher.  Her oldest son, Ashton was born when Ashley was  just 19 years old.  He  was diagnosed with Autism at age 1.  As a teen mom,  taking college classes in addition to working, Ashley had to come to terms with the unexpected discovery that her baby boy had developmental delays.  When Autism was mentioned, Ashley didn’t even fully comprehend what that meant for Ashton or for the future.

Ashley talks about the early years when much of her time and attention was devoted to educating herself and helping her young son get all the interventions and therapies he needed.  She believes her son’s diagnosis prompted a calling for her life’s work.  Ashley persevered through the challenges to achieve not 1, but 3 college degrees.   She currently motivates and inspires her High School Life Skills students every day, making a positive difference for them and for their families.

If you haven’t heard the first half of Ashley’s interview,  be sure to listen to it in its entirety.  You won’t want to miss any of this amazing episode.

Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
https://www.uhcl.edu/autism-center/

Early Childhood Intervention Services
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/early-childhood-intervention-services

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

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In this episode I talk with Ashley Bennett, boy mom of 3 and amazing Special Education teacher.  Her oldest son, Ashton was born when Ashley was  just 19 years old.  He  was diagnosed with Autism at age 1.  As a teen mom,  taking college classes in addition to working, Ashley had to come to terms with the unexpected discovery that her baby boy had developmental delays.  When Autism was mentioned, Ashley didn’t even fully comprehend what that meant for Ashton or for the future.

Ashley talks about the early years when much of her time and attention was devoted to educating herself and helping her young son get all the interventions and therapies he needed.  She believes her son’s diagnosis prompted a calling for her life’s work.  Ashley persevered through the challenges to achieve not 1, but 3 college degrees.   She currently motivates and inspires her High School Life Skills students every day, making a positive difference for them and for their families.

This is part 1 of a 2 part episode.   Tune in next week for the second half of Ashley’s adventures.

Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
https://www.uhcl.edu/autism-center/

Early Childhood Intervention Services
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/early-childhood-intervention-services

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

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In this 2nd half of a 2 part episode I continue to talk with Brianna TenBrink, an eloquent, wise and compassionate 23 year old big sister to 16 year old Myah and 15 year old Leah, her younger siblings who are on opposite ends of the Autism spectrum.  Brianna shares her perspective on how her experiences as the only neurotypical  child in the family shaped the person she is today.   From a young age Brianna took it upon herself to become the ‘glue’ that helped hold the family together.   Her sisters made her a better person and influenced and directed Brianna’s purpose and passion in life.  Service and Teaching are at the heart of who she is and Brianna has aspirations to make lasting positive changes for all people with disabilities.

  • Brianna is the eldest sibling to two younger sisters with Autism on vastly different sides of the spectrum
  • For the past 13 years, Brianna has been a tireless advocate for individuals, much like her siblings, 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.
  • Brianna is a Partner in the Texas Partners in Policymaking Program, a Marketing Advisor & Sensitivity Panelist for Disability Book Week, and the Director of Marketing and Sales for Neural Divergence, LLC.
  • Brianna is the co-founder of Project LEAH (Leaders Ending Abuse and Harm), which is 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.

If you haven’t heard the first half of Brianna’s interview,  be sure to listen to it in its entirety.  You won’t want to miss any of this awe-inspiring conversation.

Connect with Brianna:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebriannashley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briashten
Project LEAH Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4127855043987645/

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

In this episode I talk with Brianna TenBrink, an eloquent, wise and compassionate 23 year old big sister to 16 year old Myah and 15 year old Leah, her younger siblings who are on opposite ends of the Autism spectrum.  Brianna shares her perspective on how her experiences as the only neurotypical  child in the family shaped the person she is today.   From a young age Brianna took it upon herself to become the ‘glue’ that helped hold the family together.   Her sisters made her a better person and influenced and directed Brianna’s purpose and passion in life.  Service and Teaching are at the heart of who she is and Brianna has aspirations to make lasting positive changes for all people with disabilities.

  • Brianna is the eldest sibling to two younger sisters with Autism on vastly different sides of the spectrum
  • For the past 13 years, Brianna has been a tireless advocate for individuals, much like her siblings, 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.
  • Brianna is a Partner in the Texas Partners in Policymaking Program, a Marketing Advisor & Sensitivity Panelist for Disability Book Week, and the Director of Marketing and Sales for Neural Divergence, LLC.
  • Brianna is the co-founder of Project LEAH (Leaders Ending Abuse and Harm), which is 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.

This is part one of a 2 part series.  Tune in in January 26th for the second half of this awe-inspiring conversation.

Connect with Brianna:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebriannashley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briashten
Project LEAH Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4127855043987645/

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

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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/