Speaking with the wonderful Cindy Mood, a Pastor and fellow Mama of a disabled kiddo as we dive into God and all the things.
I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Lisa Graham-Garza, a remarkable mother and advocate, for my podcast recently. Lisa's journey as a mother to Tyler, an adult son with autism, is nothing short of inspiring. We delved into the complexities of special needs parenting, particularly the constant demands of therapies and the relentless race to “heal.” But, perhaps what struck me most during our conversation was Lisa's perspective on the importance of community. She shared her belief that every parent, especially those raising children with extra needs, needs a village—a network of support, education, and understanding. Reflecting on her own experience, she spoke about how fortunate she was to have had a strong community around her when Tyler was younger. This support was instrumental in her ability to keep going, and it made all the difference in their lives. Lisa stressed that everyone deserves that same level of community and access to resources. It was clear to me that her advocacy work comes from a place of deep empathy, as she genuinely wants every family to have the same opportunities for connection and support. DR. Graham-Garza also shared the story of how she founded Autism Rescue Angels, an organization dedicated to helping families navigate the often overwhelming world of autism. Her tireless effort to support others while maintaining a healthy mindset was awe-inspiring. What stood out even more was her belief that if we want community, we have to build it ourselves. Lisa emphasized that we can't wait for someone else to provide the solutions we need; we have to take action and create the change we seek. Her words resonated deeply with me, and I left the conversation feeling more motivated than ever to contribute to creating stronger, more inclusive communities for families like hers. Her resilience and unwavering commitment to both her family and the broader autism community were truly humbling.