In this episode, Lisa shares how she was the "fixer" for everyone. She was the go to person when there was a problem. And when her autistic brother ran into a problem with law enforcement, it was Lisa to the rescue. Through her experiences in dealing with a sibling with autism, Lisa discovered resources and began helping her mother and stepping forward to advocate for her brother. Often, it is the sibling who will have to step in and take over for a special needs family member when a parent passes on. Being the fixer really took a toll on Lisa, she was tending to everyone else but not hers...
In this episode, Lisa shares how she was the "fixer" for everyone. She was the go to person when there was a problem. And when her autistic brother ran into a problem with law enforcement, it was Lisa to the rescue. Through her experiences in dealing with a sibling with autism, Lisa discovered resources and began helping her mother and stepping forward to advocate for her brother. Often, it is the sibling who will have to step in and take over for a special needs family member when a parent passes on. Being the fixer really took a toll on Lisa, she was tending to everyone else but not herself. Her personal well-being was depleted. The job she'd been in for nearly 20 years came to an end, and she stepped away from work, and from relationships that weren't serving her, and reduced her role with her brother.
She took off her cape and began to focus on discovering who she really was. And she began to blossom. Lisa found a new job that provided her the space for her to continue to focus on her passion of helping others connect with resources to help families with autistic children. She attends conferences, volunteers, leads groups and makes herself available to help connect people in this area. She truly is the "connector" and it is an amazing super power.
Lisa's proven passion as a civic leader and advocate for individuals in marginalized communities has led her to collaborate with other sibling groups to serve as a moderator and panelist for BIPOC roundtable discussions for siblings of a brother or sister with a disability. Lisa has presented to families and more recently did a podcast about future planning and the importance of self-care and setting boundaries from a sibling perspective. She has written testimony to the DC CITY Council, served as editor and designer of a newsletter to educate families and community stakeholders about autism, and helped launch recreational and job readiness programs in her community.
Lisa has offered to be a resource for our listeners. If you need help, please reach out to Lisa by email. You can also find her story in Unbreakable Spirit (listed below) and Breaking the Code of Silence. Both available on Amazon.
You can reach out to Lisa by email, lamathewsllc@gmail.com, be sure to mention Unbreakable Spirit or Jennifer Seven in the subject line.
Podcast on setting boundaries and self care with Lisa Mathews
Resources for family, caregivers, siblings of autistic family members
Connect with Adult Sibs
SibNet on Facebook
DC Sibs on Facebook
Books
Unbreakable Spirit
Breaking the Code of Silence, NOW
The Sibling Survival Guide, by Don Meyer & Emily Holl
The Invisible Patient, by Annalee Kruger
Organizations
DC Autism Society (mentioned on podcast)
DC Developmental Disabilities Council (mentioned on podcast)
Arc Center for Future Planning
Care Right, Inc
Sibling Support Project
Special Needs Siblings
Sibling Leadership Network
Connect with Lisa Mathews
Follow on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Follow on LinkedIn
Connect with Jennifer Seven
7Company.com
Follow Unbreakable Spirit on Facebook
Follow Unbreakable Spirit on Instagram
Follow on LinkedIn
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Get your copy of the book right here on Amazon UnBreakable Spirit The Sisterhood Folios 12 remarkable and courageous women take you through their journeys. They show you the strength of their Spirits and show you how they discovered the greatness within themselves. Let them inspire you to find the Unbreakable Spirit that you possess.
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