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If you are new here, WELCOME! If you've been with us for a while, welcome back! Here we share real stories, travel tips, and resources to help you dream bigger, explore the world, and discover what's possible while walking the autism journey. We are so happy you are here!

“Why do we do it?”

Those five words were the closing line from a friend—known to many as “Spanky,” a retired Air Force Lt. Col. and helicopter pilot—after he came to our home and shared what he could legally share about one of the most well-known rescue missions in modern military history: the extraction of the “Lone Survivor.” (Yes—the one Hollywood turned into a movie.)

But what we heard that day wasn’t the edited version.

It was the real story. The weight. The fear. The courage. The raw emotions that don’t fit neatly into a script.

And as I’m typing this now, my heart feels the exact same ache- punch in the stomach, I felt listening to his presentation.

I can walk to Spanky’s home in five minutes from mine… but to walk in his shoes? Ufff. That takes a lifetime to even begin to comprehend—because unless you’ve been there, there’s no way to fully understand what our military heroes carry.

He said that in the movie, the rescue happens on a sunny day.

In real life, it happened on a dark, stormy night, with the lowest visibility, high winds, and strategy layered on strategy to avoid enemy attacks. It was far more intense than the film version.

Then he described the moment he realized he was being asked to fly that mission—meaning lives depended on him. He told us about speaking with his wife, knowing it might be his last chance to say, “I love you.” One more call… then silence… while his family had no idea where he was, what he was doing, when or if he would even come home.

And then came the line:

“Why do we do it? Why did I join the military? Was it hard?

It was hard.”

He showed a photo of his team right before that mission.

“That’s why we do it. Everybody in that picture is gone…” (except Marcus, from Operation Red Wings).

And then—with a choked up voice—he switched slides to a photo of his wife and four boys and tapped the screen:

“That’s why. Because of them. I want their freedom. I want your freedom. And saving even one person… it matters.”

Memorial Day weekend can feel like a mix of everything—time off work, pools, cookouts, travel plans…

This week my gentle invitation to you is:

As you enjoy the blessing of a long weekend, please take one moment to remember and to teach your kids (in whatever way works for your family) that behind every uniform is a human being—and behind that hero may be a spouse, children, parents, siblings… all holding their breath and praying for a safe return.

This isn’t politics.

This is gratitude.

And here’s why I’m sharing this inside The Autism Passport:

Because families impacted by autism often fight battles nobody sees. Not the same battles as our military—never that—but battles that still require courage, preparation, sacrifice, and love.

Many of you have asked yourselves some version of:

And if I could sit across from you right now, I’d tell you this:

You do it because of love.

As we honor those who gave everything for freedom, I want to pause and say thank you to autism families in the military. You’re often carrying double (and sometimes triple) duty—service, deployments, relocations, paperwork, advocacy, and parenting through sensory and support needs that don’t pause just because life moves fast.

I’m deeply grateful for every military family. I don’t take your sacrifice for granted. Thank you to the heroes I may never meet—and to the families who love fiercely, protect relentlessly, and keep showing up for their kids.

Thanks to these families we can keep dreaming!!!

Summer is here—so I have to ask:

Where are you going? Any quick trips planned?

If theme parks are on your list (Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags, water parks, and more), here’s a practical tip I love because it reduces one of the biggest stress points for many families:

Use the IAC (Individual Accessibility Card)

The IAC can help streamline the accommodation process at participating locations—because you complete one application and then use it across multiple venues that accept it.

Why this matters for autism & sensory families

For many families, the hardest part isn’t even the park. It’s:

The IAC doesn’t remove every challenge, but it can reduce friction—especially when your energy needs to go to your child, not paperwork.

Here’s how I recommend families prepare for a theme park day—especially if sensory needs, anxiety, or communication differences are part of the picture:

Every location has its own process, and accommodations can vary by park and even by day. The IAC is a tool that can shorten the accommodation process—but you may still need to visit guest services or accessibility services on arrival.

If you want help choosing the right park, the right hotel (proximity matters), and the right pace for your child—this is exactly what I do through Gathering Memories Travel.

As a triple-certified Sensory & Autism-Friendly Travel Designer (Autism Double-Checked, Autism on the Seas Authorized Advisor, and IBCCES Certified Autism Travel Professional), I plan with things many families don’t realize they’re allowed to ask for:

Because the goal isn’t to “push through.”

The goal is to explore the world in a way that respects your child’s nervous system.

A friend posted a photo on social media recently and I had to laugh. It said “Military wives planning a PCS” and showed a guy going crazy on a war room board, my guess was a “Pot-luck Club Sisterhood”?

TDY. POV. FRG. All the lingo I don’t speak.

So of course, I googled it… and realized she’s moving again.

Military families are truly pros at relocating—finding new schools, new doctors, new supports, new everything—sometimes every few years. That is not my talent, and I admire it deeply.

If you’re a military family navigating autism, I wanted to share a few resources that may be helpful:

TRICARE Autism information (services and coverage):
TRICARE Extended Care Health Option (ECHO):

You may also hear about (or be connected to) supports like:

And from one caregiver to another: if you’re doing “yet another move” while also trying to keep your child supported and regulated, that’s not small. That’s heroic in its own way.

Thank you!!!

If summer travel is on your mind—theme parks, quick getaways, cruises, or that trip you’ve been postponing—hit reply and tell me:

Or book a complimentary discovery call and I’ll help you map a path that feels realistic for your family and your sensory needs.

This isn’t just my business. It’s personal — because I’m a mom who gets it.

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