music | Embrace the Blessing

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/

Three years ago Josiah had no interest in his ipad. We thought it would change his world, give him a voice, allow him to communicate with us. Instead, he tossed it aside.

He has never been the kind of kid to sit for hours on end engrossed in passive entertainment. He ignores T.V., preferring to turn it off rather than attend to it. He rarely pays attention to the large screen at movie theaters (until the credits roll) and only stays in his seat if he has popcorn.

One of Josiah’s initial objectives was to endure the ipad for 5 seconds. It required persistence and consistency to attempt such a lofty goal. Five seconds felt like an eternity.

We rarely left him alone with his ipad for fear he would break it.