🌈 Hear and Connect: The Beginning of Our New Journey

From the founder of Advocacy Heroes

Today I’m writing from a place that feels tender, honest, and strangely hopeful. Recently, I learned something new about my son Adrion, alongside his hearing loss, he has been diagnosed with Level 2 autism. Even though we have been navigating his unique needs since birth, hearing the words out loud still brought a wave of emotion that I’m only beginning to sit with.

• Part of me felt relief because we finally have answers.

• Part of me felt protective because I want the world to understand him the way I do.

• And part of me felt called, once again, into deeper advocacy, not just for him, but for every family who lives in the space between hearing loss and autism.

As I’ve tried to make sense of all this, the phrase Hear and Connect came to my heart. I created a logo, not because I needed another project, but because I needed something to hold the meaning of this moment. Something that said:

• Communication is more than words.

• Connection is more than sound.

• And children like Adrion deserve spaces that honor all the ways they interact with the world.

Hear and Connect is my way of creating that space.

It will live here as a journal, one mom’s journey through audiology appointments, sensory surprises, advocacy wins, quiet worries, and everyday moments that remind me how wonderfully unique Adrion is. It will also be a place for simple resources, reflections, and insights I gather along the way. Nothing polished, nothing perfect, just honest, real-life learning.

If you’re a parent walking a similar path, I hope this reminds you that you’re not alone.
If you’re an educator or professional, I hope it helps you see our kids through a kinder, wider lens.
And if you’re simply here to learn, thank you for being part of a more inclusive world.

This is the beginning.
A new chapter.
A new understanding.
And a new way of hearing, through our hearts, through our connections, and through the beautiful complexity that makes our children who they are.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.
We’re learning as we go, and that’s okay.

~NaTyshca