When the TV series Everything’s Gonna Be Okay debuted in 2020, Felicity House members were thrilled to see autistic actors portraying autistic characters on screen. The show sparked ongoing conversations about neurodiverse representation in Hollywood. Fast-forward to 2026, Felicity House had the pleasure of hosting a webinar with actress Lillian Carrier, a cast member of Everything’s Gonna Be Okay and now a leading actress in the film Horsegirls, which was released earlier this year. Lillian’s sister and Autism Sensitivity Coordinator, Chloe Estelle, joined Felicity House for a conversation on the behind-the-scenes process of authentic casting, navigating industry ableism, and how small, practical accommodations can create safer, more inclusive film sets.
Lillian opened by describing how she initially used theater to build social skills before landing a role in Everything’s Gonna Be Okay. Emphasizing the need for authentic screen representation for autistic people, she talked about how Everything’s Gonna Be Okay drew directly from her personal experiences to shape her character. The show also made history by casting her service dog, Luke—the first real-life service dog to be cast as a service dog on TV. Reflecting on how theater helped her with social cues, Lillian said:
“That’s where I was like, ‘Oh, I can ask all of these questions, and no one judges me… I learned [about] natural facial expressions and body language that people could understand and communicate with… [and] a place that I felt more accepted than the rest of the world. I was able to make friends easier.”
She also talked about starring in Horsegirls, a movie about an autistic woman navigating adulthood while her mother faces cancer. Lillian found this experience to be particularly inclusive and appreciated how the production trusted her abilities by asking her to perform demanding stunts like wirework and bike riding, while still respecting her sensory limits.
Chloe’s portion of the event was marked by her experience working behind the scenes as an Autism Sensitivity Coordinator. Having advocated for Lillian since her early acting days, Chloe shared how small, practical adjustments—such as sensory-conscious wardrobe tweaks, dietary substitutions, and set-wide access to fidgets at craft services—can transform a production and prevent overstimulation. Describing her job, Chloe said:
“You need me to make sure everything is authentic and that the needs of your actors are handled without friction.”
Throughout the webinar, both speakers highlighted self-advocacy and community support in film. They also discussed the importance of deciding whether to share a public diagnosis and offered practical tips for beginner artists, such as building a portfolio, finding mentors, and connecting with local organizations.
One webinar viewer shared, “I really appreciated Lillian’s acknowledgment that the ability to disclose is technically a privilege… for many autistic people, disclosure is not an option, in the sense that people can tell just by looking at you.” Another shared, “For some reason I always thought of on-set sensory needs as ‘it’s too loud/bright.’ Costuming and eating scenes somehow never occurred to me. I love that it was touched upon!”
Felicity House thanks Lillian and Chloe for sharing their time, insights, and experiences. Continuing these conversations helps raise awareness, validate lived experiences, and build a more inclusive space for neurodivergent talent in the arts.
If you were unable to attend, a recording of the webinar can be found below:
SPEAKER BIOS
Lillian Carrier
Lillian Carrier is an autistic actor who stars as Margarita in Horsegirls, a story about a 22-year-old autistic woman who joins a hobby horse group while her mother has cancer.
Her breakout role was Drea in Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, a role written for her where she brought never-before-seen disabled queer representation to the screen alongside her then-service dog, Luke, who was the first-ever service dog to be cast as a service dog.
She has also made appearances in shows such as NCIS: New Orleans and As We See It, and has done autism consulting on scripts. Currently, she works at Spectrum Laboratory, helping to create and push for more opportunities for neurodivergent and autistic artists.
Chloe Estelle
Chloe’s credits include:
Serving as Autism/Disability Sensitivity Coordinator for Lillian Carrier on the set of Horsegirls and Carsen Warner for Everything’s Gonna Be Okay.
Serving as an Autism Mentor at NeuroAffirm Academy and an Entertainment Coach at Spectrum Laboratories.
Being a Contributing Writer and Model on the cover of Autism, Family, and You.
Appearing in the short film Exposed: The Photography of Jack Grisham.
Filming Gary Golding’s audition for Naked and Afraid.
Attending Woodbury University, Sarah Lawrence College, and the Inside Out Sensory Certificate Program.
To celebrate Disability Pride Month, Felicity House hosted an in-person conversation about accessible design. Guest speakers Theresa D’Andrea, Accessibility Director at Steven Winter Associates, and Tamara Morgan, Associate Director at the Adaptive Design Association, discussed ways to make spaces and everyday tools more accessible.
Theresa explained that accessible design should do more than meet basic requirements. It should remove barriers people face in daily life while creating spaces that are both welcoming and functional. She also discussed how lighting, sound, and furniture placement can make a space more inclusive.
Tamara spoke about creating assistive tools in partnership with the people who will use them. She explained that considering a person’s emotional, practical, and aesthetic needs can lead to more useful and meaningful solutions. She also emphasized including disabled people throughout the design process from the very beginning.
If you were unable to attend, a video recording of the event can be found below:
SPEAKER BIOS
Theresa D’Andrea
Theresa is an Accessibility Director at Steven Winter Associates with 13 years of experience in accessibility and inclusive design consulting. She brings a unique interdisciplinary approach to accessibility, blending her background in architecture, environmental psychology, and interest in legal analysis. Theresa works primarily with architects, developers, and government agencies to help navigate complex compliance requirements and craft innovative inclusive design solutions.
Theresa believes that accessibility extends beyond compliance – it is about eliminating barriers that impact daily life. By tailoring her approach to each client, she ensures that accessibility is seamlessly integrated into projects, creating spaces that are functional, equitable, and beneficial for all.
In her free time, you can find Theresa hiking with her corgi, watching baseball, or volunteering with GallopNYC’s therapeutic horseback riding program for children with disabilities.
Tamara Morgan
Tamara is a mission-driven nonprofit executive and disability advocate with more than 15 years of experience leading community partnerships, grant implementation, disability inclusion initiatives, volunteer engagement, fundraising support, strategic planning, public speaking, and therapeutic programming.
Tamara brings lived experience as a wheelchair user together with professional expertise to build person-centered, accessible programs that improve the lives of children, families, educators, healthcare providers, and disability communities.
On June 18th, Felicity House hosted an “Autism & Relationships” event, bringing together members, guests, and the larger community for an in-person conversation that explored social and romantic connections. Featuring autism sexuality advocate Amy Gravino and clinical psychologist Dr. Ali DeGeorge, the evening provided a space to explore the nuances of building strong social relationships, understanding personal boundaries, and navigating the social world with confidence.
Amy Gravino’s presentation focused on the internal work of relationships, helping members determine what is truly important to them as individuals. She provided actionable steps for identifying one’s needs in a friendship or partnership and navigated the process of disclosing a diagnosis to someone new. Amy also shared insights on recognizing relationship “red flags” and “green flags,” to ensure personal boundaries are respected.
Dr. Alexandra DeGeorge shared her expertise on managing the anxieties associated with social relationships. She provided practical communication strategies for making new connections, offering guidance on how to approach someone new, even when they seem quiet or focused on an activity. Additionally, Dr. DeGeorge addressed the importance of social energy management, sharing strategies for members to “fill their social bucket” and help prevent burnout.
The event concluded with an engaging Q&A where members got to ask more personalized questions for the speakers to respond to in real time.
If you were unable to attend, a video recording of the event can be found below:
SPEAKER BIOS
Amy Gravino
Amy Gravino is an autism sexuality advocate, professional speaker, and Relationship Coach in the Center for Adult Autism Services at Rutgers University.
Amy is the President of A.S.C.O.T Consulting. She has given TED talks, spoken twice at the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day, and presented worldwide to audiences on a variety of topics related to autism, with a dedicated special focus and research on the subject of autism and sexuality.
Amy has consulted with the producers of Love On the Spectrum (Netflix) and contributed to a Call to Action for sex education for youth with disabilities. She is also a writer who is authoring her first book, a memoir, and whose work has been featured in Spectrum, the leading online news source for autism research, Reader’s Digest, and other outlets.
Dr. Alexandra DeGeorge
Alexandra DeGeorge is a clinical psychologist and maintains a private practice in Montclair, NJ.
Prior to this, Dr. DeGeorge has held faculty positions at the NY Presbyterian Center for Autism and the Developing Brain and the NYU Child Study Center, where she was the Clinical Director of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Program.
Dr. DeGeorge has expertise in diagnostic assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorders as well as cognitive behavioral interventions for individuals with anxiety and mood disorders. She ran an adolescent DBT program for several years and incorporates emotion regulation strategies into her work.
Dr. DeGeorge received her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University and M.Ed. in Learning Cognition, and Development at the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. She completed her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Developmental Disabilities at Long Island University, CW Post Campus.
Inspired by community member interest in women’s health and autism, Felicity House hosted the “Autism and Menstrual Wellness” webinar on Monday, May 18th. This virtual event brought together community members, guests, caregivers, and service providers for an in-depth conversation about menstruation and autism. Discussion topics ranged from periods to menopause, with autistic panelists Samantha Garstin and Dr. Aimee Grant (Please see below for each speaker’s bio) explaining how a deeper understanding of your cycle can support wellbeing, energy management, and self-knowledge.
Samantha’s presentation focused on how knowing the menstrual cycle’s ‘seasons’ (winter, spring, summer, fall) can help individuals manage their energy and understand their monthly needs.
Dr. Grant shared her research on the experiences of autistic people during the transition from perimenopause to post-menopause. She noted that while many symptoms are similar to non-autistic people, autistic individuals might have more sensory sensitivities. She also offered scripts and tips for talking about cycle needs with partners, family, employers, and doctors.
Throughout the webinar, both speakers talked about the benefits of self-care, speaking up for oneself, and valuing personal experience. Attendees asked about comfortable menstrual products for sensory sensitivities, managing menopause symptoms, and handling difficult emotions during different cycle phases. One member shared, “For menstrual products for people with sensory sensitivities, I recommend Always Radiant pads. In fact I swear by them.”
Felicity House thanks Samantha and Dr. Grant for sharing their time, research, and experience. Continuing these conversations helps raise awareness, validate personal experiences, and make sure wellness resources are accessible and supportive for the autistic community.
If you were unable to attend, a recording of the webinar can be found below.
Speaker Bios
Samantha Garstin
Samantha Garstin is a speaker, educator and coach specialising in menstrual and neurodivergent wellness. Late diagnosed as Autistic and ADHD at 42, she had one of those “well that explains everything” moments… including why she’d spent years building a career around understanding fluctuating capacity. Turns out that’s pretty important when your brain works differently from the rest of the world. Now she blends her professional expertise in cyclical health with her lived experience and specialist knowledge of neurodivergence to help people stop feeling like they need to shrink to fit… Because your body and brain were never the problem.
Dr. Aimee Grant
Dr Aimee Grant is an Associate Professor and Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow at Swansea University. She is Autistic and has researched marginalised pregnancy and early motherhood for more than a decade, including those living in poverty, stigmatised locations and Disabled women. Aimee’s current research includes an 8 year Wellcome Trust funded study which interviews 100 Autistic people regularly for five years to understand Autistic experiences “from menstruation to menopause”. She is the author of The Autism Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, birth and the fourth trimester (Jessica Kingsley, 2025), is a Deputy editor for the journal Autism in Adulthood, and was added to the Disability Power 100 list in 2023.
On Tuesday, March 19th, Felicity House hosted a special community-wide event, “A Conversation with Broadway Actress, Amelia Fei.” The evening brought together community members and their guests for a live, sit-down interview with the Broadway actress. Amelia previously visited the Felicity House community in 2024, when she performed as a cast member of the Broadway hit show, How to Dance in Ohio.
The live interview focused on Amelia’s professional journey and her experiences as an autistic woman of color. Speaking on accessibility and representation in creative spaces, Amelia highlighted the importance of authenticity. Amelia also shared her strategies for self-advocacy and succeeding in the arts. The event concluded with a lively community Q&A and a reception. Felicity House members asked Amelia questions about her process and how they too can advocate for autistic representation. After the event, one member commented, “I felt that Amelia was a delight. She covered so much: autism, advocacy, acting, intersecting identity…”
Felicity House is grateful to Amelia Fei for sharing her time and experience, helping to strengthen support systems and inspire new possibilities for autistic individuals in all fields. For those who missed the event, a link to the recording is available here.
Speaker Bio
Amelia Fei is a performer from Taiwan now living in New York City and working as an actor, singer, and voiceover artist. In addition to her role on Broadway as Caroline in How to Dance in Ohio, her credits include starring in shows such as Waitress, Cinderella, Avenue Q, and The King and I. Through her role in How to Dance in Ohio, Amelia became the first Taiwanese actor and one of the first openly autistic actors to originate a principal role on Broadway. Based on a true story, the show follows a group of autistic young adults and their families preparing for a spring formal dance in Ohio. When she is not performing, she enjoys kickboxing and making cool dice for her fellow D&D friends.
On Monday, February 9, Felicity House hosted the “Exploring the Black and Autistic Experience” webinar in honor of Black History Month. This virtual event brought together community members, service providers, caregivers, and guests for an evening of reflection, education, and dialogue centered on research and the lived experiences of Black autistic women.
The program featured three speakers: Dr. Themba Carr, author Kala Allen Omeiza, and Dr. Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, who each offered unique perspectives on identity, history, stigma, and community support. (Please see below for each speaker’s bio).
As a clinical psychologist, Themba presented on the history of autism diagnosis in the BIPOC community. She addressed historical disparities in diagnosis and service access, and linked her research to current challenges. She also discussed the increasing rate of autism diagnoses in the Black community, noting that while a lot of advocacy work is still needed, the raising awareness is improving access to care.
Kala shared her personal journey, offering an intersectional perspective on the stigma surrounding autism, particularly for Black autistic women. She encouraged attendees to integrate cultural awareness into their understanding of stigma and provided tangible steps for providers and caregivers to better support Black autistic women. These steps included honoring individual accommodation preferences and engaging in intentional conversations to understand an individual’s history, identity, and cultural background to determine what might be most supportive for them.
Morénike, who is also a Felicity House Self-Advocate Advisory Board member, presented on sustainable presence for Black autistic women, sharing her thoughts on how to practice authentic self-expression while protecting energy and boundaries. She discussed the importance of protecting mental health, explaining that guarding your energy and boundaries involves putting yourself first to maintain a lasting presence. When addressing service providers and caregivers, she stressed the importance of having their practices rooted in research and understanding. She also explained how important it is for service providers and caregivers to actively listen to the Black, autistic women they serve without preconceived bias.
Throughout the webinar, all three speakers emphasized themes of representation, cultural awareness, and community care. Attendees contributed meaningful questions during the Q&A portion of the program, asking the panelists about media representation and how to authentically show up as themselves in different environments.
After the event, one member shared, “I feel like I learned a lot from this webinar and everyone had great information to offer and were vulnerable about their experiences and really encouraged self care and community building. I learned so much from what they shared.”
Felicity House is grateful to all three speakers for sharing their time, research, and lived expertise with the community. Continuing these conversations helps strengthen support systems and deepen collective understanding.
If you were unable to attend, a recording of the webinar can be found at this link.
Speaker Bios
Dr. Themba Carr:
Themba is a clinical psychologist and the Clinic Manager of the Autism Discovery Institute at Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan and completed postdoctoral fellowships within the University of California system.
Themba specializes in the assessment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and focused her graduate and postdoctoral research on community‑partnered approaches to reduce barriers to care for African American families. Themba currently supervises a multidisciplinary team serving children with autism and their families, co‑chairs the Rady Children’s GROW Leadership Council, and teaches in the San Diego Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. Across her clinical, leadership, and educational roles, she is committed to promoting inclusivity and belonging through affirming, family‑centered care.
Kala Allen Omeiza:
Kala Allen Omeiza is an avid writer and leader of a mental health nonprofit, I’m Heard. She is the author of novels about neurodiversity and autism awareness including Afrotistic (2022), The Worst Saturday Ever (2023) and Autistic and Black (2024).
As a former mental health researcher, Kala has worked on various research projects on mental health and neurodiverse conditions at Harvard and Duke, and as a US Fulbright scholar in Nigeria. Before pivoting to storytelling, Kala has utilized her research experience in various domains including entrepreneurship as South Park Commons’ first Black female founder fellow, as well as a lead researcher and fundraiser at a VC-funded company working in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Kala is a graduate of Miami University and a Masters graduate of the University of Oxford in the UK.
Dr. Morénike Giwa Onaiwu:
Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, PhD (she/they) is a global advocate, educator, and parent in a neurodiverse, multicultural family. A disabled person of color and non-binary woman, Morénike’s work focuses on inclusion, identity, and justice for underrepresented communities.
Morénike has shared their expertise at places such as the United Nations and the White House and co-edited award-winning books such as Sincerely, Your Autistic Child. Morénike also wrote A Neurodiversity and Gentle Parenting Journey…in Color, which explores autism and parenting through an affirming, personal lens.
Her work has been featured in outlets such as The New York Times, NPR, BBC, and NBC’s Today Show. Morénike is also the founder of Advocacy Without Borders, a nonprofit that empowers and uplifts community advocates.
By Haley Moss
Haley Moss is Florida’s first openly autistic lawyer and the author of five books that guide neurodivergent individuals through professional and personal challenges. She is currently a speaker, consultant, and neurodiversity advocate for organizations and corporations that seek her guidance in creating an inclusive workplace and a sought-after commentator on disability rights issues. Her articles have appeared in outlets including the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and Fast Company. Haley’s life experiences, advocacy, and dedication guide her to leave the state of inclusion better than she found it.
Every July, people with disabilities celebrate Disability Pride Month. The month started as a way to remember when the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. Now, Disability Pride Month is celebrated beyond the U.S. and has a bigger meaning. Today, it celebrates many kinds of disabilities. It honors our shared past, culture, how we depend on each other, and what we give to society. People with disabilities are the largest group of minorities in the world and in the U.S. But it can be hard to see this because there are so many different types of disabilities. The purpose of this post is to shed light on different disabilities and gain a deeper understanding of each other’s differences. Although a full list of all disabilities is not included in this piece, we are all united in the fight for inclusion, civil rights, and accessibility, and as a collective, face ableism regularly.
Historically, disability is seen in two main ways: the medical model and the social model. Most people who do not have disabilities believe in the medical model. This means they often see individuals as the problem, or disability as something to fix. This is done by making people fit in or by medical treatments. Disability pride is new and special because it comes from the social model of disability. This model says that society creates more problems than any health condition. Instead of fixing people, this model says we need to fix unfair systems and remove things that stop inclusion and access in our world. This means that people with disabilities need more chances, understanding, and acceptance.
To celebrate Disability Pride Month, there is also a flag you might see at parties or online. The first zigzag flag was made in 2019 by a disabled writer named Ann Magill. It was changed in 2021 to be easier to see for disabled people with vision problems like epilepsy. The order of the colors also helps people who are colorblind or have migraines.
Each stripe on the flag stands for a certain group of disabilities.
Blindness can be different for different people. Some people have low vision and can see some light and shapes. Others cannot see colors. And some have “total blindness,” where the world seems dark. Some, but not all, blind or low vision people use things like white canes or service dogs to be more independent. Of course, like with all disabilities, it’s best to ask if you can help someone or if you can pet a guide dog before doing anything right away.
Hearing loss and deafness also include many different disabilities and have their own culture. People who are culturally Deaf (with a big “D”) find a sense of belonging through visual ways of talking, like sign language, and shared traditions and values. But not everyone who is deaf or has hearing loss will feel they are part of Deaf culture.
The blue stripe stands for emotional and psychiatric disabilities. This is about mental health. It’s possible to have more than one emotional and/or psychiatric disability, or to get an emotional or psychiatric condition later in life.
People with emotional and psychiatric disabilities, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorders, face a lot of extra judgment in society. Mental health conditions can affect how a person feels. This can lead to feeling sad or nervous. Or it can cause bigger problems like seeing things that are not there, trouble controlling impulses, or risky behaviors. At its worst, emotional and psychiatric disabilities can lead to self-harm or thoughts of suicide. So if you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a trusted doctor, support person, family member, or caregiver, or call the 988 hotline.
The white stripe stands for invisible or non-obvious disabilities. It also stands for those that are not known or not diagnosed. When we think about non-obvious disabilities, these usually include health conditions and long-term illnesses that we cannot easily see. But they are just as real and hard for the people who have them.
Some people with disabilities or long-term illnesses are not officially diagnosed. For example, many autistic teenagers are not diagnosed, especially if they are not white. This is also true for other disabilities, where diagnosis can vary based on race, gender, income, and location. This means many people who identify as disabled may not have an official diagnosis, or they might not even realize they are disabled.
Long-term illnesses and health conditions are complex and not always easy to see. That’s why they are called “invisible” or “non-obvious” disabilities. But this does not make them any less real for the people who live with them. Long-term illnesses like lupus and fibromyalgia can cause tiredness and pain and affect a person’s immune system. Health conditions like diabetes affect a person’s blood sugar and may need regular medicine or insulin.
The yellow (or gold) stripe represents neurodiversity. While autistic people are part of the neurodiversity group, neurodivergence also includes (but is not limited to) people who have learning disabilities, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and Tourette syndrome. About 19% of people in the U.S. are neurodivergent.
Neurodiverse conditions affect a person’s brain and how they think. Each of us is different. But difficulties with planning and organizing, sensory differences, and differences with learning and talking are common signs of most types of neurodivergence.
Neurodiversity is not meant to limit who is included. Instead, it’s a broad term that covers more than just autism, ADHD, and learning differences. Neurodivergence does include intellectual disabilities like Down syndrome, as well as mental health conditions. However, the disability pride flag has separate stripes for emotional and psychiatric disabilities, which can also happen along with other forms of neurodivergence.
The red stripe stands for physical disabilities. Trouble with walking or moving is the most common disability in the U.S. today. Nearly 7% of Americans say they have trouble walking or moving. Physical disabilities can be present at birth, or be the result of birth defects, illnesses, injuries, or age. They do not make a person less capable or necessarily affect their thinking abilities.
Physical disabilities cover many different things. But most people think of the common image of a wheelchair user on accessible parking signs. Wheelchair users might have limited ability to walk without help (these people are called ambulatory wheelchair users). Or they might find that a wheelchair (manual or power) gives them more freedom than a walker or crutches. Or they might not be able to walk at all. Many different types of disabilities affect mobility, such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis.
Some physical disabilities only affect a person’s movement. Others might be visible or affect other parts of a person’s life. Some examples are limb differences, where someone might be missing a limb. Or cystic fibrosis, which affects someone’s lungs and ability to breathe.
And finally, the charcoal black/grey background stands for disabled people we remember who have died because of ableism, abuse, neglect, suicide, illness, or eugenics. We also remember some of these losses in our community that happened because of family members and caregivers on March 1, Disability Day of Mourning.
Celebrating Disability Pride is different for everyone. Sharing about the disability flag is just one way to learn about this topic. I know that for me, getting to a point of disability pride has been a journey. When I was a younger autistic person, I felt safer masking, avoiding disclosure, or trying to distance myself from the portrayal of autism as incompetence or an intellectual disability. Now, I know I am very much in community with people who have intellectual disabilities, and whose autism is not the same as my own. Learning more about the achievements and resilience of our community gave me a sense of pride and belonging. Even though I studied disability in college, it was not until the movie Crip Camp came out that I truly felt connected to the larger disability community and our shared history.
There is no single way to celebrate. You can celebrate online, quietly by yourself, if your local community has events or a parade, or if your workplace has speakers or training about disability. Whatever feels most accessible to you, and lets you feel real and take ownership of your disability identity, is what pride is truly about.
To learn more about disability history and pride:
Of course, the best way to learn about disabilities and views that are different from our own as autistic people is to learn from other disabled people. Part of disability pride is also to uplift the voices of disabled people.
Felicity House hosted a Self-Advocacy Advisory Board Friends and Family Wellness Event on December 10. The event featured two members of Felicity House’s Self-Advocacy Advisory Board, Lindsey Nebeker and Brigid Rankowski, who discussed the topic of autism and wellness with community members who asked questions about self-care. Lindsey is a musician, photographer, and disability rights advocate. She is strongly focused on the message of presuming competence for all people regardless of their labels. Brigid is a disability advocate and performer. She has a vested interest in women and LGBTQIA+ rights and the promotion of the arts as a creative outlet and career path.
Both Lindsey and Brigid gave personal and thorough responses to questions about wellness such as “what are some ways that you cope with stress?” and “how do you navigate wellness and take care of yourself when you are approaching burnout or are in burnout?” They also shared their own unique ways of practicing self-care.
When speaking about stress, Lindsey said, “managing stress is about respecting yourself. Figure out what is at the core of what is making you stressed so you know how to handle it.” Brigid said, “I manage stress by reminding myself that I have the power to react internally to events that happen to me externally. I can’t control everything external, but I have the power to control how I react to it internally.”
In response to the question of how to navigate burnout, Lindsey and Brigid encouraged community members to set intentional habits for themselves, such as turning off notifications on their phones and only using their phones for a set amount of time a day. They also recommended community members ask themselves, “what do you want and what do you need to be your truest self?”
After the Self-Advocate panel discussion, community members got the chance to decorate their own wellness pouch and fill the pouch with self-care items such as fidget toys, worry stones, and affirmation cards. Members also got the opportunity to fill out wellness cards with questions about how they practice their own forms of self-care. Some of the completed wellness cards will be featured in Felicity House’s wellness room.
The event concluded with a reception that included light refreshments and the opportunity to listen to Lindsey and Brigid share their art and hobbies with community members.
In case you missed it, check out audio of the discussion with Lindsey and Brigid, below!
The third annual Felicity House Art Gallery Show opening reception and family and friends event took place over the course of two days this past September. The event showcased 80 pieces of community member artwork including poems, sculptures, paintings and photography in a gallery setting.
The opening reception held on September 26th gave community members the opportunity to come together, alongside their guests, and enjoy the art in a cocktail party-type environment.
A video about Felicity House’s pilot Arts Residency Program was also shown, highlighting a new program that will soon be offered to all members.
The “Friends and Family” hours held on September 27th invited community members and their guests to experience the artwork in a quieter, more museum-like setting, where they could walk around the gallery as much or as little as they wished, with no interruptions.Members thought “the layout was so beautiful and professional. It looked like a gallery I would pay to see.”
Both days offered community members the opportunity to appreciate community member art, work on a community mosaic tile project, and chat about their favorite pieces. One member who attended the event said, “The art was so amazing and impressive. I’m a big fan!”
In case you missed it, check out a brief walkthrough video of the art show below, or take a look at the 2024 Community Member Zine to view the artwork more closely.
British author and comedy writer, Sara Gibbs, virtually joined Felicity House on Saturday February 25th (2023). She shared how her passion for writing developed, how she explored her special interests, her reactions to her autism diagnosis, and how she has used her strengths to shape and develop her career. She read an excerpt from her book, “Drama Queen One Autistic Woman and a Life of Unhelpful Labels,” and shared tips for aspiring writers.
Sara ended the event by encouraging community members to explore their passion for writing by saying “even if you are just doing it for yourself at first, keep a notebook, or your notes app or whatever else, just write down your observations, write down things that make you laugh, write down things you find interesting, write down unusual things that happen, just do it, just keep writing!”.
You can watch the whole webinar session down below:
