I have gotten to know Sarah really well and understand that her drive is bringing We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym to Springfield. Please get to know this local mom a little better by reading her answers to our questions.
What is your MISSION?
My mission right now is bringing more awareness and acceptance to the local Autism community.
What do you want to accomplish?
I am going to open the first We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym in New England. It's a kids gym meant for kids of ALL abilities by providing children with a fun and motivational environment to help them in the areas of strength, movement, sensory processing, communication and social skills. The unique equipment that we will have assists all children in their neurological growth and development, not just children with special needs.
What inspired/encouraged you to start?
My children inspired me to do this. I have 5 children, 3 of whom have Autism. Knowing that there was nothing here in our local community or even in New England inspired me to reach far beyond my comfort zone. Not only did my children need this desperately but I constantly think of the other families like ours who do not have access to a place like this.
Is there one specific moment when you knew this was what you wanted to do?
There wasn't necessarily a specific moment that I knew this is what I wanted to do. I had said for years that Springfield needed a place for children to play. The local childrens museums, parks and zoos are great but are mainly outside of Springfield and we needed something local that also could be sensitive to families of special needs children. I came across an article online about We Rock and just knew that We Rock was what not only what my kids needed but also what the local community needed. And I realized that either I could wait a long time for someone else to do this or I could push myself beyond what I ever thought I was capable of and do it myself.
How did your life before children influence the mom you are today? (Work, experiences)
I think my life before children was very much influenced by my grandmother, she was always doing something for someone else. She took care of my cousins and I growing up, encouraged us in whatever we were doing. I also volunteered in a nursing home as a teenager. Spending a lot of time with men and women with these great stories to tell, they often didn't have visitors or family so I became their family, played bingo, went for walks and celebrated holidays and birthdays with them. It gave me a huge sense of compassion that has stayed with me since.
What part do your children play in your current mission?
My children are a huge part of my mission. They are the reason I have this mission in the first place. My older children have a heart to help others and are so excited to be able to open the gym and spend time helping other children like their little brothers. Even on days when I am discouraged and want to give up I look at them and remind myself why I am doing this and it pushes me.
What lessons/values are you learning through this process?
I don't know if I have found any lessons or values from this process yet other than discovering a side to me I didn't know existed. I have become an Autism Warrior mom, I have a voice that now speaks for many other moms just like me. If you had asked me 10 years ago what I thought I would be doing now, I can say with certainty it wasn't this. Without my children my life would have taken a much different path.
What lessons/values do you hope your kids are learning?
I am hoping my children are learning that this world is a diverse place, not everyone is the same and thats ok. That children on the spectrum are different not less. And that there is always room in our hearts to help others.
What do you do to take care of yourself and how do you make time to do it?
I don't make enough time to take care of myself usually and that is a problem. I am trying to get up early in the morning before the kids are up and either go to the gym or even just have a cup of coffee and sit quietly before the chaos of the day consumes me. I am pushing myself to make more time for friends and family, working this much can be very lonely and we need to have more connections with other people.
What can we do to support you in the community?
You can support us in the local community by not only following and sharing us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, but checking in to see what fundraisers we are doing to help purchase our equipment. We also need many volunteers to help our events run smoothly. We have some great ones coming up like our Zumbathon Skating Party June 5th and our Star Wars 5K & Family Fun Day June 26th. Email me at info@werockthespectrumspringfieldma.com.
- HEATHER MONSON is on a mission to make sure children and families are mindful of others and compassionate to one another.
- MICHELLE CREAN is on a mission to empower women to achieve their fitness goals and to live a healthier lifestyle by providing in-home personal training and fitness nutrition guidance.
