Lift Up Others

I had the absolute privilege of being Zoe’s teacher, helping with job development, supporting her as a job coach, and now—one of my favorite parts—getting to call her a lifelong friend.

And while I hope I taught Zoe a few things along the way, the truth is she taught me so much too.

So much about resilience.

Not the “push through no matter what” kind. The real kind.

The kind that happens when someone is given time, support, trust, repetition, encouragement, and opportunities that actually make sense for who they are.

Zoe reminded me again and again that progress does not always look the way people expect it to look. Sometimes it is trying again. Sometimes it is doing something differently. Sometimes it is realizing the environment needs to change—not the person. And sometimes it is simply giving someone enough space, support, and belief to show you what they can do.

That has stayed with me.

And Zoe taught me so much about sensory processing.

Long before I had the language I have now around nervous systems and regulation, Zoe was teaching me to pay attention.

To notice what sounds, spaces, transitions, people, routines, textures, movement, and expectations did to a person. To notice the little signs before things became too much.

To stop looking at a response and immediately asking, “How do we change this?” and instead ask: What is this telling us? What might feel overwhelming here? What feels safe? What helps? What gets in the way? What can we adjust so this person has a better chance to participate and shine?

Zoe taught me that what we call “behavior” is so often communication. And that something that looks small or easy to one person can take an incredible amount of energy for someone else.

She helped me understand that when we really pay attention to a person’s sensory needs, preferences, communication, strengths, and pace, we often get to see so much more of who they are.

That lesson changed the way I taught. It changed the way I job coached. It changed the way I thought about inclusion. And honestly, it helped plant seeds for so much of what I believe now about regulation, accessibility, and meeting people where they are.

The learning was never one-way.

I may have been Zoe’s teacher on paper, but she was teaching me all the time—about patience, persistence, joy, finding another way, not making assumptions about what someone can or cannot do, and how much can happen when the right people come together around someone’s strengths instead of only focusing on their challenges.

Those lessons are woven into so much of what I am building now with Radiate Your Light Creations, First Regulation, and Where the Light Rises.

So when I thought about who should be the very first person featured in Empower, it really was not a hard choice.

Zoe represents so much of what this whole mission is about: seeing the whole person, honoring differences, creating opportunities, building community, learning from one another, and making sure people have the chance to show the world their light.

Zoe has taught me more than she probably even realizes. And I am so grateful I got to be part of her story—and that she became such an important part of mine too. 🤍

Zo Much More is a family-owned social enterprise powered by Zoe. What began with Zoe’s love of making bracelets has grown to include beaded creations such as fidget pens, card and picture holders, bag charms, keychains, and custom work. The business also gives back by supporting nonprofit partners working to expand meaningful opportunities for autistic people.

Read Zo Much More’s story ↗