Back to the Beginning

Hello everyone!!

Welcome to the new website– Connective Touch is back!

Well, it never really went away. It just took a back seat for a while. Actually, remember back in the 90’s when we had those Volvo station wagons with the two seats in the trunk, facing backwards? That’s where this project was for a while.

Which fits, because I always had to take those seats. I don’t get car sick, and I don’t like conflict, so there I sat. Trying vainly not to make eye contact with the drivers behind us..

Anyway, life has been like…a lot since we last spoke. Mine kind of fell apart, actually, in ways I did in fact see coming but fought as hard as I could, in many ways to no avail. Now I’m rebuilding, and it’s hard and invigorating at the same time. I doubt they will ever read this, but I have to shout out my family, who has been steadfast in their support. I literally wouldn’t be here without my sister and aunt in particular. I am undoubtedly one of the lucky ones out there, and the gratitude is as present as the stress. So, really really present.

To summarize the past six months, I’m in a new state, in a new home, back in my old career (pending a reinstated license, c’mon Commonwealth of Virginia!) and in a new decade. So, while Connective Touch has never been out of my mind, it just couldn’t be the top priority. Or even the fifth or sixth.

But that’s ok. And it’s ok if you have been going through or are going through something similar. I have a really easy time feeling like hard times equal failure, but logically I know that isn’t true. So if there’s any part of you that feels similarly, let me tell you it’s not. We are supposed to grow, and to change. Life isn’t meant to be easy or straightforward. Keep going, my friends. We’re actually all in this together.

Anyway, this break gave me time to reflect and reconsider what I’m trying to do with this space. The answer seems simple and more than a little cheesy but I want to help people. As many people as possible. And, simultaneously, a specific set of people who I really think don’t get enough help—parents and caregivers.

But, Ann, you say, there’s like a gazillion people out there saying you want to help parents. Why should I care about you? Or whatever “help” you want to offer?

Well, I say back, for one thing I care about you. There’s nothing you can do about it. And for another, I’m really focusing on helping parents and caregivers who can fall through the cracks of many other outreaches. Specifically, I want to focus on connecting with and creating resources for parents and caregivers who are disabled and/or neurodivergent, AND/OR for parents and caregivers of disabled and/or neurodivergent persons.

That was a lot of conjunction words. But I wrote what I wrote, and I meant what I meant.

In my nearly fifteen years (YIKES) of working with disabled children and their families, I’ve found that so many of them feel ignored, patronized, or underserved, even by the communities that are supposedly meant for them. I am living this in my own life as well as a super neurodivergent person (see my Instagram handle connectivetouchconsulting highlights for a catch up on my recent journey to diagnoses…multiple diagnoses) who is mothering at least one child who is neurodivergent.

It’s an added pressure, trying to do the best for your child when they and you are both outside what’s generally accepted as “normal.” Trying to figure out what the best path is, trying to gather the specific (and elusive) resources needed to thrive, and fighting through the stigma and ignorance around neurodivergence and disability is exhausting. On top of, you know, parenting, which is inherently the most tiring and demanding thing you will ever do.

As much as I want to single-handedly build a better world for all of us in the same boat, that is simply too big a goal. What I can do is the old starfish metaphor, help one of us at a time. And try to create things that can help more than one person at a time.

Which brings me back to where we started. In this new chapter, this space is no longer Connective Touch Wellness Consulting but simply Connective Touch Consulting. While I will still offer a few opportunities for 1:1 consulting, my focus is on reaching as many as possible. I am creating both self-paced online courses and printed resources. All of these are designed to help neurodivergent and/or disabled persons, and/or their parents and caregivers, find life a little less overwhelming.

I’m hopeful too that this will continue to grow into a community of us. A place where you can find support and like-minded people, no matter how unique or divergent your mind is. That’s the long-term goal on this particular IEP.

The short term goal is for you to sign up for the mailing list, so you can be the first to get the links to new resources and new blog posts as they go live. I am truly resentful of being “sold to” (probably because I am so susceptible to marketing ploys), so you have my word there will be no unnecessary spam, and no pressure. Just information and connection.

If you sign up now, you’ll get a free copy of my printable Connective Touch Parenting and Caregiving Mantras. Who doesn’t love freebies?!?! But it will also give you an idea of the perspective we are operating from here.

Ok that’s it. Thank you for being here. I am choosing to be hopeful, and I am excited to build this new version with you.

One step at a time, my friends. Be well.