If you are new around here, let me introduce myself. My name is Amanda Owen and through Pieces of Me, I share my journey of being a sibling to someone with a rare disability, a founder and director of a nonprofit serving those with intellectual disabilities, and finding balance as a working mom, wife, and business leader.

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Having a great skincare routine offers numerous benefits, but if I were to highlight the top three reasons, they would be:

Stop assuming. Stop thinking their is only one option. Stop limiting the possibilities. Stop placing individuals with intellectual disabilities all in the same category of needs and limited opportunities.

On this week's episode of Fuel Your Purpose, you will meet Amanda, a local mom from my hometown, who didn’t let a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis at 22 stop her from pursuing the life she wanted. She pursued her dream of becoming a teacher, wife and mom. The resiliency she has learned through living with her disease prepared her for the cerebral palsy diagnosis of her fifth child, Georgia, who is immobile and nonverbal. Amanda talks vulnerably about the limits of her body, how she fights through everyday battles, including the guilt she feels for not being able to help care for her child with special needs, and how she finds joy in the hard — thanks to her faith and her five children watching her.

Engaging in respectful discussions and questioning prevailing beliefs leads to growth, innovation, and positive change. Let's foster a culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages open dialogue.

Societal factors and gender stereotypes have historically played a role in shaping women’s experiences. Cultural expectations, gender norms, and societal pressures can create obstacles that impact women’s self-esteem and confidence.

Becoming a children’s book author is an incredibly exciting journey filled with anticipation and joy. The thought of creating stories that captivate young minds and inspire their imaginations is a wonderful feeling.

This statement took me a long time to really apply to my mindset. Middle school bullying can really impact a person’s confidence and belief about themselves, even as an adult. You know the famous saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Well, they LIED!!! It’s the words that we say about people, to people, and to ourselves that take root in our heart.

My mom is my hero. Everything I am as a person and a mom isn’t because of the mom she was to me, but I got to see the love, patience, understanding, resiliency, and compassion she demonstrated being a mom to my brother with a rare chromosome disability.

Have you ever listened to something or read something and in that exact moment you think to yourself….THIS IS PERFECT TIMING! I so needed this in my life right now. I promise this episode will just hit you that way. Of course you can’t go wrong with any of @melrobbins’ podcast episodes, but this one I think we all can relate too.