Michael Fetherman, diagnosed with ADHD and autism, always struggled to make friends—a challenge faced by so many individuals with special needs. Seeing this firsthand, his sister, Juliana Fetherman, set out to change the narrative. She created Making Authentic Friendships, an app designed to connect people with special needs based on their age, interests, and location.
The app’s name isn’t just a mission statement, it also carries Michael’s initials, a tribute to her brother who inspired this initiative. Now 24 and having recently completed her MBA at Sacred Heart University, Juliana is dedicated to fostering connections and expanding a supportive community for individuals with special needs.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Juliana, her parents Andy and Mary, and her brother Michael to celebrate their dedication to inclusion, their impact on the special needs community, and how they continue to inspire others through friendship, family, and forward-thinking solutions.
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