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Growing up in Mexico City, I always looked forward to "El Día del Niño" — a tradition celebrated every April 30th since 1924.

As a child, I didn't care why we celebrated kids. All I knew was that teachers were fun that day, we celebrated big time! My parents gave me fun gifts, and we would go out to eat or get treats. It was a day to play all day — even at school.

Now that I've grown a few inches taller (and wiser, LOL), I realize what that special day was really about: protecting children's rights. Making sure they get the help they need. Giving them priority when relief is needed. Protecting them.

That hits differently now.

A couple of weekends ago, I had the privilege of speaking about autism awareness to a women's group of all ages. The other guest speaker who preceded me spoke about fostering. I truly felt her passion and love for all the children she advocates for. She herself has fostered several children — and adopted one of them.

After the meeting was over, I had the chance to chat with her. She opened up and shared how hard it can be for foster parents because many of the foster kids have traumas and disabilities, including autism. Foster parents become their advocates at school, with medical support — every facet of their life changes.

I stood there listening, and my heart broke open.

Because here's what I know: No child should have to go through the foster care system. But I am deeply, profoundly grateful that there are people who have the love, the patience, and the courage to welcome kids who are in vulnerable situations — kids who need more than a home. They need someone who will see them, fight for them, and love them exactly as they are.

If you are a foster parent, my heart is grateful for you.

Especially if your foster child has any type of disability. THANK YOU. You are needed. You are seen. You are doing something extraordinary.

And on this El Día del Niño, I want to celebrate not just the children — but the families who open their homes and their hearts when a child's world has fallen apart.

You've earned the right to dream bigger for those kids. And I hope you know that the world is open to them — because of you.

I want to celebrate EVERY CHILD no matter what age! Feliz Dia Del Niño!!!

Last week, I asked a simple question at an Autism Awareness live event: "Do you like to travel?"

The answers ranged from "Yes! We love it" to "Yes… BUT we haven't traveled because…" to "No. I try to avoid travel altogether."

Every answer was valid.

If you're one of the families who said "yes, but…" — if there's even a tiny flicker of desire to explore, to make memories, to see your child experience something new — I am here for YOU.

Today, I want to give you a roadmap for how to start. Not someday. Not when everything is "perfect." But now — with a simple, low-pressure weekend getaway.

If planning this feels overwhelming, that's where I come in. At Gathering Memories Travel, I build experiences around your child's unique sensory world. I find the destinations, the accommodations, the restaurants, and the hidden gems that will welcome your family exactly as you are.

You don't have to be the expert on sensory-friendly travel. That's my job. You just have to be ready to dream a little bigger.

With April — Autism Awareness Month — rolling out, May rolls in with Apraxia Awareness Month!

I heard the term apraxia less than two years ago. It is not a diagnosis, but a symptom. I learned that it is a neurological condition that causes motor planning difficulty. The brain knows what it wants to do, but the body struggles with coordination and doing what the brain is telling it to do. It's hard to plan movement and have a hard time knowing where the body is in space.

The easiest way to explain it? A brain and body disconnection.

Now, imagine being misunderstood and not having the right support — sometimes for several years — until one day, someone brings awareness of a way to communicate. Some doubt that it is possible, but it is.

The first time I heard about Spelling to Communicate (S2C), and saw the impact that it made in a family a love- I cried happy tears. Individuals who had been "trapped" for years are now able to communicate. This is waking up a wave, and awareness is expanding.

If you have been with me for the past year, you will recognize some of the amazing individuals I have spotlighted in the past. Imagine my surprise when I went to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) website and there they were — some of them are actively advocating for the rights to communicate at the federal level.

One of the leaders in the "Communication 4 All" movement is Elizabeth Bonker. She graduated Valedictorian from Rollins College in 2022, and now serves on the federal government's Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.

Another incredible organization is the Spellers Freedom Foundation, the organization behind the groundbreaking Spellers Movie — the film that opened my eyes to what spelling can do for individuals and families who are "getting on board."

Awareness is the key to opening the world to so many individuals who are still "trapped."

Today I would love to invite you to:

✅ Watch the Spellers Movie on the You Tube link provided
✅ Share it on your social media
✅ Tag an organization in your area that supports spellers and non-speaking individuals

If you're in Tucson, check out Tucson Spellers

If you're in a different city, please share your organizations in the comments or email me so we can spotlight them here for others to find!

Let's make sure every family knows that communication is possible. And every individual deserves the chance to be heard.

Whether you're a foster parent loving a child through transition, a parent dreaming of your first family getaway, or an advocate fighting for your child's right to communicate — you are not alone.

At Gathering Memories Travel, I'm here to help your family take that first step toward adventure. Let's talk about your family, your child, and what your first getaway could look like. No pressure. No judgment. Just a conversation between one autism mama and another.

Dream bigger. Explore the world. Discover what's possible. 🌎💛

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