Today’s inspiration comes from one of my own, my daughter Madison who celebrated a big birthday this week.

As many of you know, Madison was diagnosed with autism at an early age. Despite early interventions and intense ongoing therapies, she still cannot read, write, or ever be left alone.

She’s been through many rough patches through the years and this year has been no exception. First with pneumonia, then with a blood disorder (ITP: Immune thrombocytopenia) that put her in the hospital for over a week and required many blood transfusions.

And yet she found a smile along the way.

I’m in awe of her resilience.  She is one tough cookie!

Of course, she could not have done it alone. I am ever grateful to her many caregivers now and through the years who love her just as deeply as I do and are willing to care for her and about her.

Fortunately, Madison is back in action and was able to fully celebrate her birthday. We met for pizza where she ordered her own pizza (pepperoni and sausage), enjoyed every bite, blew out the candles of her birthday cake, and relished every bite of that, too!

A few weeks ago, I was asked to share what Madison has taught me and to create a video for an interview with Authority Magazine’s Lucinda Koza (How Our Family Navigates Life With A Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder) that focuses on “Five Things I wish Someone Had Told Me About Being A Parent of a Child with Autism.” It was released this week as part of our Pathfinders for Autism 25th year celebration. Check it out if you like:

So thank you, my sweet Madison, for your steadfast resilience and for teaching me oh-so-many things as I have parented you for the last thirty-three years.

Your mindset inspires mine.

On we go. . .