Inchstones with Sarah Kernion | Episode 116

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy.

In this conversation, I welcome Sarah from the Inchstones podcast to the show, and man, we get into something autism parents need to hear: our kids' lives aren't measured by somebody else's milestones. We talk about raising non-speaking autistic children, the little moments that mean everything, and why it's okay to feel both the weight of this journey and the joy that comes with it. I share a moment with Wyatt that reminded me what a gift a simple hug can be, and Sarah and I talk about tuning out the noise, standing up for our families, and hearing other caregivers without judging their stories. We also talk about how easy it is to live twenty years down the road instead of being present with our kids today, and how my faith helps me find purpose in being a dad. If you need encouragement, connection, or a reminder you're not alone in special needs parenting, I hope you'll spend some time with us.

Key Takeaways

• Celebrating the inchstones: I've learned that some of the most meaningful moments with Wyatt are the little things others might overlook. Progress isn't always measured by traditional milestones.
• Finding strength in our own journey: I believe we have to tune out society's expectations, trust our instincts, and be willing to stand up for what our children need.
• The power of honest conversations: Sarah and I believe that sharing our experiences, especially the difficult parts of profound autism parenting, helps other families feel seen, heard, and less alone.
• Choosing to live in the present: I've spent plenty of time worrying about what life might look like twenty years from now. I'm learning to appreciate where we are today instead of letting tomorrow steal today's joy.
• Finding purpose through faith: I share how caring for Wyatt has changed my understanding of fatherhood, gratitude, and the responsibility God has entrusted to me.

Inchstones Podcast: inchstonespodcast.com
Listen to Sarah's conversations with caregivers about the realities of raising children with profound autism, advocacy, and finding meaning in everyday life.

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I hope this conversation encourages you to recognize and celebrate the inchstones in your own family. If you'd like to learn more about our journey, visit spectrumincamouflage.com. I'd also love to hear your story, so reach out to me anytime at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

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Together, we can create a community to support autistic kids and their families.

If you have questions, ideas, or want to share your journey, email me at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

Let's learn, grow, and make a difference, one step, one piece of the puzzle, one child at a time.