Purposeful Life Series

We all deserve a voice, even the voiceless.

Laurie found her voice early, and she has never stopped using it to stand up for her son with severe, non-verbal autism. In fact, she’s made it her life’s mission to not just use her voice on his behalf but through her book, Welcome to My LIfe: A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism, her hope is to give a voice to the community of caregivers and loved ones who courageously embrace raising a child who relies on parental assistance for every need throughout their whole life.

Living on little sleep, unexpected daily challenges and a world that doesn’t always seek to understand difference, Laurie opens up her life and welcomes readers into the mundane and the monotonous… the challenges and the triumphs… the heart-aches and the blessings. She’s candid and vulnerable in sharing her mishaps and family’s learnings, with the goal of shedding light on how families and caregivers navigate daily life with a special needs child.

There’s nothing easy about it. But through the hardship, she’s learned much about Skyler’s love for life and how she is beautifully made to be his mamma warrior!

Welcome To My Life Cover 2021 Update Front
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Buy the Book Buy Signed Copy

We all deserve a voice, even the voiceless.

The number of times that Laurie was driven in a smoke-filled car by a drunk father defies logic. The number of times her father nearly died from the health consequences of his addiction is a medical mystery. The ways in which Laurie persevered, avoided becoming bitter or closed off, and ultimately became a devoted mother and patient, inspiring leader in her community and beyond is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience.

Getting from where we’ve been to where we want to go is a complex journey, full of pitstops and breakdowns, and ultimately — healing and perspective. It is possible that what you have survived has perfectly prepared you for what life needs from you now.

Laurie draws a direct connection between her dysfunctional childhood and her own beautiful family and believes she would not be who she is today without the wounds of her past. The depths of her childhood suffering gave her the perspective to find her higher purpose in parenting her two amazing kids, one has profound needs and non-speaking autism.

“This memoir is more than a story — it’s a beacon of hope for parents and caregivers everywhere. It’s a celebration of the indomitable human spirit and a powerful reminder that our past does not define us — it prepares us for the battles we must fight and the love we must give. A must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of a mother’s unwavering dedication.”
Dawnmarie Gaivin, RN, BSN, Spellers Method Cofounder and Mom of Two Nonspeakers
“Laurie Hellmann takes us where few dare to go — the past. Unflinching and honest in the pages of Selling Vegetables to Drunks, she tells her story about a chaotic childhood and the imprint it leaves on her, long into adulthood. There is a piece of all of us in her narrative. Her words will break you open and heal you at the exact same time.”
Carrie Cariello, Writer, Blogger, and Autism Advocate
Selling Vegetables to Drunks is a very powerful read, in which Laurie examines her life and takes us on a journey where we all learn more about abuse and how it impacts everyone. Through deep self-reflection, Laurie has processed and learned from all her life’s relationships (positive and negative) to find her own path of love and acceptance. This book is for all of us who work toward compassion and open communication in our relationships.”
Candice Putnam, Director of Adult and Community Education and Elementary Principal (Retired), Marshall Public Schools
“This book is a MUST-READ for anyone! You don’t need personal experience with a loved one on the autism spectrum to feel the value of unconditional love from this memoir. Laurie’s raw, honest and humorous journey will touch your heart … just as she’s touched the lives of thousands of people like me.”
Noopur Patel Ritter, Pharmaceutical Sales Director, Mom and Wife
“I love a book that rings true right from the get-go. As the mother of an adult son with autism, I know what real is, and Laurie nails it. Most of us struggle to just make it through the day, yet she somehow managed to pen this gloriously gut-wrenching, perfectly raw and honest book while still in the trenches. I can’t imagine how. A true warrior mother, her determined fight for her son and her family is a magnificent read. I can’t wait for the movie!”
Janet Pope, RN, BSN, Founding Member of Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) and Fellow Autism Warrior Mom
“In the era of posed and fabricated “Insta-worthy” images of life, the vivid reality of our daily challenges are often hidden.  For a special needs parent, this is crippling.  Isolation, self-doubt, and guilt often come hand-in-hand with the already-knee-buckling diagnosis of our precious child.  Laurie bravely and beautifully lifts the veil into the lives and struggles that so many of us endure alone, in silence.  In doing so, she shares a remarkable story of inner strength and love for her family.  Welcome to My Life should be required reading for all parents.”
Jerry Turning (Mr. Bacon), Blogger “Bacon and Juice Boxes – Our Life With Autism”
“With exquisite detail and consummate honesty, Laurie Hellmann shares with us the unremitting challenges and ultimate rewards of raising her adult son with severe, nonverbal autism. You will live this alongside Laurie and her family and will understand her exhaustion, her frustration and her deep abiding love.”
Emily Perl Kingsley, Former writer, Sesame Street (45 years), Former Board member National Down syndrome Congress, Parent and Advocate

Go Beyond the Book

Speaking

Through her compassion, humor and desire to educate the world on the importance of understanding and inclusion, Laurie has the ability to motivate audiences to gain a renewed perspective and take action, individually, locally and on a large scale.

Podcast

Learn from Laurie and others who support families and children with special needs through the Living the Sky Life Podcast where she openly shares her ongoing learning raising an autistic son and invites others to share their stories of hope and resilience too.

Autographed Book

Order a signed paperback copy of the book, Welcome to My Life, for your personal bookshelf or as a special gift for a loved one who could benefit from her family’s honest and inspirational story of living and learning about the struggles and blessings of autism.