From Red Zone to Green Zone: A Parent's Journey with Vicky Westra

In this episode, Vicky Westra the founder and CEO of Neuroshifts, opens up about her powerful journey as a mother of a child with autism. She reflects on the challenges of adoption, emotional struggles, and the importance of mindfulness and personal growth in her parenting experience. Vicky shares how finding her 'green zone' has been key to navigating her emotions, while also highlighting the essential role of community and empowerment for neurodiverse individuals. She discusses her shift from a corporate career to launching a coffee shop initiative that equips young adults on the autism spectrum with valuable job skills. Vicky’s mission to create a strong, supportive network for families continues to drive her work.

Key takeaways:

• Believing in your child’s potential is crucial for their growth.
  
  
• Parents must find their 'green zone' for emotional balance.
  
  
• Self-care is essential for parents to better support their children.
  
  
• Building a supportive community is vital for families of neurodiverse children.
  
  
• Mindfulness can help manage stress and anxiety in the face of challenges.
  
  
• Adoption presents unique hurdles that require resilience and patience.
  
  
• Creating empowering environments supports the growth of neurodiverse individuals.
  
  
• Faith, intention, and personal growth are at the core of Vicky’s journey.
  
  
• Parents should focus on what they can control in their child’s development.
  
  
• Gabby’s progress is a testament to the incredible potential of those with autism.
  
  

For more information, reach out to Vicky at https://www.neuro-shifts.org/.