It is not an understatement to say that walking through the doors of Parents Helping Parents changed my life.

My son was about 2 years old and we began to be concerned about his language development. He was able to say words, but rarely used them in any real, productive way. He could sing the songs he heard on TV, he could repeat and recite things he’d heard over and over again, but he never said the simple things like “mommy”, and when he wanted something from us he would just grab us by the hand and lead us around.

We began the process of trying to get a diagnosis and my pediatrician suggested that we contact PHP.
I didn’t really know what to expect, what I would get from them, but I figured it was worth a call. Not long after my first call I received a call back from a mentor parent who was wonderful and understanding and invited me to attend a meeting of the Autism Support Group.

The evening that I walked through those doors was truly life-changing.

Presenting to the group that evening were two women from the Central Valley, one who had been instrumental in the founding of FEAT, Families for Early Autism Treatment in Sacramento, and one who was working as an advocate for families as they tried to work through the special education system. I was surrounded that evening, not by parents complaining and feeling sorry for themselves about their child’s diagnosis of autism, but by inspired, determined parents who, despite their challenges, were working hard to make things better. I really felt lucky to have connected with these families and they had an understanding of the challenges that I faced that was rare to find outside the autism community. I was no longer alone.

As a result of that one evening I was inspired (maybe just persuaded) to start a local FEAT group and became a co-chair of our Greater Bay area chapter under the umbrella of PHP. I also decided it would be wise to hire this advocate to represent my son in our negotiations with our school district. Less than a year later this same advocate asked me to join her in her advocacy work and then I was able to begin helping others families who faced challenges similar to mine.

Giving back and helping others has helped me to make sense of the challenges that my family has faced. It was not what I would’ve signed up for when I dreamt of having a child, but it has changed me in so many positive ways and has given me so many opportunities to meet extraordinary people and do really meaningful things with my life. It helps put things into perspective and has made me grateful for the many advantages and opportunities that I have.

Now, nearly 13 years after the fateful day when I walked through the doors of PHP, I am thrilled to be able to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. I can work to ensure that PHP continues to be able to do the good work that it has done over the past 30 plus years. I can promote and support an organization that has had such a profound impact on my family. I am grateful for the amazing people that I have met and been inspired by along the way. I am grateful for my beautiful son who brought me through those doors in the first place.

Joanna Jaeger