FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.
On this 20th episode of FASD Hope, Natalie Vecchione (Podcast Host) speaks with Josh Bechtel, an author and President of Lighthouse Publications, LLC and founder of FMV Publishing Services. Josh has written several books, including his memoir "Finding My Voice: A Journey into Faith". Josh was born in November of 1977 in Pendleton, Oregon. He was placed in foster care at the age of one and a half. After a series of foster placements, he was eventually adopted by a conservative, Mennonite family in Estacada, Oregon. He later learned that he had a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and his family (and fellow members of their Mennonite Community) received a consultation from Diane Malbin, author of "Trying Differently Rather Than Harder" and founder of FASCETS. Josh credits speaking with Diane Malbin and reading her book as extremely helpful in learning about how his brain functioned and learning to make accommodations for himself. In this twenties and early thirties, Josh worked at a children's home in Virginia and a men's rehabilitation center in Indiana. During that time, Josh reconnected with his biological parents and family. He lives in Akron, OH and he divides his time between odd jobs and expending his creative energies in a small business he founded in 2015, called "Finding My Voice Publishing and Services", inspired by the title of his memoir "Finding My Voice: A Journey into Faith".
During this open and insightful conversation, Josh and Natalie discuss the following topics: Josh's story and adoption journey, how he learned about his FASD diagnosis (from Diane Malbin), the many accommodations he developed throughout his lifetime, how his writing saved him (and became a tremendous strength for him), his additional strengths and his advice to teens and young adults living with an FASD (and their parents / caregivers / loved ones). Josh's story is one of determination, accommodation and hope.
"Jesus answered and said to him, 'What I am doing you do not understand now. but you will know after this.' " - John 13:7
RESOURCES-
Josh Bechtel, President, Lighthouse Publications, LLC
FMV Publishing and Services
www.findingmyvoice.us
jaypeebee77@gmail.com
"Trying Differently Rather Than Harder" by Diane Malbin, MSW (1999/2002/2017)
FASCETS - https://fascets.org/
FASD Hope -
http://www.fasdhope.com/
info@fasdhope.com
Instagram - @fasdhope
Facebook - @fasdhope1
Pinterest - @fasdhope1
59 - We Wrote a Book! Blazing New Homeschool Trails by Natalie Vecchione and Cindy LaJoy
58 - Orphans No More - A Conversation with Sandra Flach
57 - A Conversation with Hawaii FASD Action Group
56 - Hope in the Solutions: A Conversation with Ashley DePaso
55 - A Big Brother Speaks / FASD Across America: A Conversation with Emmaus Holder
54 - A Heart for Advocacy: A Conversation with Jessica Belle
53 - Five Thoughts About Foster Care: The Mom and Dadcast
52 - FASD Legislation Update: A Conversation with Susan Shepard Carlson and Jenn Wisdahl
51 - Finding the Right Specialist: A Conversation with Gene Carroccia, Psy.D.
50 - Our 50th Episode with John and Natalie Vecchione
49 - Mocktails and More: A Conversation with Kerry Benson
48 - Sensory Strategies for Learning: A Conversation with Jennifer Donaldson
47 - FASD Family Life: A Conversation with Robbie Seale
46 -Proof Alliance Virtual Benefit 2021
45 - Adjusting the Legacy: The Dadcast
44 - SPED Homeschool: A Conversation with Peggy Ployhar
43 - Looking Forward One Step At A Time: A Conversation with Sara Swan
42 - Amazing Grace Advocacy: A Conversation with Gwen Bartley
41 - A Call to Action: A Conversation with Jen Parke
40 - Not Exactly As Planned: A Conversation with Linda Rosenbaum
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