Inspiring Stories
Welcome to our monthly inspiring story! We hope these stories will foster hope and joy in our community! Scroll down to see the ones you may have missed!
Meet two FASD Warriors, Alex Carver and his mom Pam
Alex Craver and his mom, Pam, were recognized as FASD Warriors by The Florida Center for Early Childhood’s promotion of National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month. The "Warrior" title often applies to those living with the daily challenges of FASD—characterized by behavioral, physical, and cognitive differences.The agency asked Alex, age 16, along with others to submit a video explaining why he devoted his time and energy advocating for FASD awareness. Here is what he said - Video Link
Alex and many of the other FASD Warriors along with The Florida Center for Early Childhood are part of many who have advocated for Section 104 of the FASD Respect Act becoming law. Section 104 directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish comprehensive FASD education, screening, diagnosis, research, professional training, and coordinated services across systems, including healthcare, education, child welfare, justice, and social services.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are among the leading preventable causes of intellectual and developmental disabilities, yet they remain one of the most under-recognized and misunderstood neurodevelopmental conditions in the country. Because symptoms are often subtle and misinterpreted as behavioral issues, many individuals with FASD go undiagnosed and unsupported for years, which is part of why this is such a huge win!
For more information about Alex, the center or the FASD Respect Act, you can visit https://www.thefloridacenter.org/fasdlaw/
Information for this piece was gathered from floridacenter.org
May 2026
Amythest Schaber, Neurowonderful and Ask an Autistic
Meet Amythest (Myth) Schaber (they/them). Amythest is a writer, public speaker, advocate and activist and the creator of Neurowonderful and Ask an Autistic.
Amythest lives in Canada with their husband and two dogs. They were officially diagnosed with Autism in 2013 after experiencing Autistic Burnout in the summer of 2012. Since then they began sharing their knowledge and advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Neurowonderful is a website and blog about autism, neurodiversity and disability. The site has a long list of resources pertaining to Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder. You can even ask Myth questions!
Ask an Autistic is a YouTube channel that they created to share information about Autism. There are over 20 videos including “What is Stimming”, “What is Sensory Processing Disorder” and “What is Executive Functioning” and so much more.
If all of that isn’t enough to inspire you, Amythest also spends time advocating for Disability Rights whenever they can. Thank you, Amethyst, for all that you do!
Apr. 2026
Nolan Stilwell, Texas Sweet Heat Jam Company
This month we would like to share an inspiring story about Nolan Stilwell. Nolan is a model of success and determination in his endeavors, becoming a hot pepper jelly-making genius and starting Texas Sweet Heat Jam Company. Achieving his dream was not easy. Nolan experiences Down Syndrome; but with the help, encouragement and support of his community, family and faith, Nolan was given the opportunity to achieve his potential through education and hard work.
Not only has Nolan realized his dream to be a culinary artist and business owner, he is providing competitively-paid employment for other adults with intellectual and developmental diversity. Sweet Heat Jams also offers opportunities to students by providing paid internships, allowing them to learn practical skills and the chance to become mentors themselves. The students benefit from this because most of their lives people have been instructing them. This gives them a new power and confidence they’ve never had.
With sixteen fun flavors, like Mango Heat, Texas Apple Pie and Drunken Pepper, to mention a few, Sweet Heat Jams are destined not only for success, but to change countless lives.
Check out their list of fun flavors and learn more about Nolan and his team at:
Source - Sweet Heat Jams website
Mar. 2026
Kieran Rose, The Autistic Advocate
Kieran Rose is a published mainstream and academic author, international public speaker, trainer, researcher and consultant to organizations all over the world with a specialism in Autistic Masking, Autistic Burnout and Autistic Identity. He was diagnosed Autistic in 2003 and is Dad to three autistic children.
Autistic Masking - Understanding Identity Management and the Role of Stigma is a book that Rose co-authored with Dr Amy Pearson. Synopsis - Masking is a form of identity management involving consciously or unconsciously suppressing aspects of identity and action. Often seen in socially marginalised groups, it is found to contribute towards poorer outcomes for autistic people, and is related to higher prevalence of suicidality, exhaustion and burnout, and mental health difficulties. Autistic Masking offers a holistic understanding of the most up-to-date evidence in this field, with the aim of developing solid knowledge and practice in health, education and society.
Kieran states on his website that “It's about recognising that we are invested in a civil rights movement for Autistic people, that Autistic culture is a valid reality. The damaging narratives about us and around us, along with the abuse, injustice and violation of basic rights that so commonly exist for Autistic people are the reasons that spur me on to advocate both for and with the Autistic community, to promote understanding of the Neurodiversity paradigm and to reframe the negative narratives around Autistic people.
Thank you, Kieran, for all that you do to educate people through your books, classes and lectures around the world.
Learn more about Kieran and what he does at theautisticadvocate.com
Information for this article was gathered from theautisticadvocate.com
Feb. 2026
Jan. 2026
Lady Francesca
Lady Francesca is a freshly fierce and addictive Queen that will steal your heart. Learn more about her and the Drag Syndrome collective HERE.
Lady Francesca is a member of the Drag Syndrome collective – described as a “drag collective featuring highly addictive queens and kings with Down-Syndrome.” She made history as the world’s first black drag queen superstar with Down syndrome.
Lady Francesca and their fellow collective members deliver stunning performances to show audiences the incredible creativity and expression of folks with Down-Syndrome. The troupe has performed at Pride events and Ru Paul’s Drag Con and have appeared on BBC, CBC, Vice and other outlets. Lady Francesca and the other members are regularly featured on Drag Syndrome’s social media channels, showing off their amazing looks and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ disability community. She was recently featured on the cover of Luxury printed fashion book Dsection alongside collective member Justin Bond.
Thank you, Lady Francesca for all that you and the Drag Syndrome collective do!
Written by Charlotte Stasio - Freelance Writer for WID
Learn more about the Drag Syndrome Collective HERE