This week in celebration of Mother's Day, the BAC is honoring amazing moms from our community. Today, meet Heather, mother of two and founder of The Complete Puzzle!
Tell us a little bit about yourself! (We know being a mom is just one of your many roles! Any jobs, hobbies, interests, etc. that you would like to share?)
I am a working mom of two boys, both with an autism diagnosis. I grew up in New Jersey, but have lived in on the Boston area for longer! I love Amazon, Starbucks, Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, and the Red Sox (I am trying to watch at least some of every game this season!). I like getting things done, having fun and strongly believe in health and wellness, even if some mornings the only thing I can grab for breakfast is leftover pizza.
I started The Complete Puzzle (@completepuzzle), a 501c3, as a resource to empower families impacted by autism. The website will include core, strategic tenets to put a robust intervention plan in place and keep it going over a long period of time. Part of the organization’s efforts will include fundraising campaigns that highlight related causes and create opportunities for those with an autism diagnosis to gain valuable experience. The Complete Puzzle just recently awarded $5,000 to Simmons University to help cover tuition costs for students studying Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a therapy crucial for children with an autism diagnosis.
What is your favorite "mom moment?" What's the best thing about being a mom?
My favorite “mom moment” and the "best thing about being a mom" truly are intertwined: Helping my sons succeed and make progress is the answer for both. It is so rewarding to see things that were difficult become easier, and to see their independence increase. But doing this while preserving their happiness is key. And, when they are happy, I am happy.
What is your biggest wish for your children?
The end game for me has always been enabling my sons to live independently and support themselves financially. My daily wish is to keep progressing toward that goal. It truly is that progress that keeps me going, and what makes it easy to keep the highest level of intervention in place, now more than 12 years after my older son's diagnosis.
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