As we kick off our Autism Acceptance & Awareness Series , I am excited to welcome Jacqualine Folks, mother, author and autism community leader🧩   🧩 In 2003 Jacqui’s middle son, Ethan, was diagnosed with Autism. His diagnosis came at a time when resources for Autism were scarce, so Jacqui found herself on a journey of self-education to enrich the life of her child. Learning all she could about Autism education, therapies, and advocacy🧩   🧩 In 2005 Jacqui started a support group for parents in her local community. Several years later, the ladies she met through that journey joined forces and co-founded the Eudora ACES (Autism Community Education and Support). ACES is a successful non-profit organization dedicated to helping other families with their journey through Autism and supplying necessary equipment and resources for special education classes in their school district.   🧩 Then in 2019 Mascot Books announces the release of Adventures With Big E: Help With Hygiene- Jacqui’s first children’s book.   🧩 Listen in as Jacqui shares their family’s incredible journey with Autism, her road to becoming an Author and much more 💙   Resources: Adventures With Big E Mascot Books

As we turn our focus to Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, I am so excited to welcome, Nicole Luongo Author, Cerebral Palsy Advocate and Writer.

Nicole Luongo is an author, disability advocate, and a writer. She became well-known in the cerebral palsy community after her article about having selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery (SDR) with Dr. TS Park (SDR: Life-Changing Surgery for Cerebral Palsy) was published in HuffPost. Her work has been featured in myriad places including The Mighty, MSN and Yahoo!

In 2019, Nicole became the first person ever to get a least one building or landmark in almost every state to light up in green on both National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day (March 25) and World CP Day (October 6). She’s passionate about raising awareness for cerebral palsy, and she’s proud to have been a World CP Committee member since it’s inception in 2016.

Listen in as we discuss Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month & how you can get involved. 

As we continue our Cerebral Palsy Awareness Series, I am so excited to welcome, Marie & Cindy of Reflection of an Adult with Cerebral Palsy. 

Listen as Marie & Cindy share more about their platform, what life is currently like in Connecticut and Australia dealing with Covid-19 & ways you can still get involved with Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month! 

 

As we kick off our Cerebral Palsy Awareness Series, I am so excited to welcome, Neha Siddiqui, Author, Blogger & Co- Owner of Neha Adaptive.

Neha is the Co-Owner of Neha Adaptive and manages all the social media for their company. Neha Adaptive Clothing was established by the belief that life should be accessible to all. In affiliation with Silvert’s Adaptive Clothing and Footwear, we feature high quality and affordable adaptive products.

Neha also has a passion for writing and creating content as a blogger and a self-published Author. Her book Brave Soul is an autobiographical on her personal journey with CP and how to live life to the fullest. 

Listen in as Neha shares all about her journey with cerebral palsy and how even through struggle she lives her life to the fullest.

 

As we continue to support & drive awareness for Rare Disease, I am excited to welcome back to the show, Kerry Morgan Hughes,M.Ed Harmony 4 Hope Founder and President. 

Listen In & Learn more about Harmony 4 Hope, Rare Disease Awareness & an AMAZING Event taking place for Rare Disease !!! Fact: 350 million people worldwide who are collectively impacted by 7,000 different life-limiting and life-threatening rare diseases. 

As our Hope Series continues, I am excited to welcome Catlin Smith, mental health advocate and author.📚 

Catlin Shares : I am 21 years old. I'm from Dallas, Texas. I moved to Kansas when I was 12 year old. It's been home ever since! I struggle with anxiety and depression and going through my journey of healing, I was able to find my voice in something so many people struggle with. I express myself through writing and connecting with people! I run a blog on Facebook called Inspired by Catlin where I blog about Mental Health and Women Empowerment! I addition, I am the other of a book called From Failure to Success. 

Listen in as Catlin shares her personal journey with mental health, information about her book from Failure to Success and how she provides hope to other those her blog Inspired By Catlin.

 Blog: https://www.facebook.com/inspiredbycatlin

As we continue our Hope Series, I am so excited to welcome Dr. Hokehe Effiong wife, mother, pediatrician and Founder of Kits of Hope- A project of The Effiong Foundation.

Dr. Effiong knows that Early Childhood Trauma can happen to anyone and the cycle continues when there is a lack of knowledge about its effects and how to break the cycle as an adult.  Dr Effiong, Board Certified Pediatrician also known as The Thrive strategist, Wife and mother of three Lovelies is passionate about the care of children.  She advocates for children in foster care and is the founder of Kits of Hope, 501 (c) 3 Organization, that shares love and hope by providing children going into foster care with bags filled with comfort and essential items.   

Listen in as we learn more about Kits of Hope and all of Dr. Effiong’s efforts within the community.

 

As our Hope Series continues, I am excited to welcome back, Mary Tutterow. Mary is a wife, mom, caregiver, speaker, teacher and author. 

Mary has developed The Heart of the Caregiver © - community and support for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities and emotions of caring for someone with disabilities, chronic illness or age-related issues.

A former anchorwoman and marketing executive, Mary now leads online and in person small groups for caregivers – as well as workshops, webinars and retreats. Mary has been featured on numerous podcasts, vlogs and talk shows. 

Listen in as Mary shares all about her new book “The Peaceful Caregiver” and some little rays of hope from her own personal journey ❤️

 

To learn more visit www.theheartofthecaregiver.com 

As our Hope Series continues, I am excited to welcome, Annalee Kruger, MBA Family Caregiver Concierge , Senior Advocate and President, Care Right, Inc.

Listen in as Annalee & I discuss the great need for putting the CARE back in Healthcare