Chronic Mama Stephanie & Andy was born out of real life — living with chronic illness while raising and loving my adult son with autism. This space is about survival tools, stories, and support.
Our tagline says it all: Real Love. Real Illness. Real Adventures.Real Love. Real Illness. Real Adventures.
Hi, I’m Stephanie — a teacher, a chronic illness warrior, and Andy’s mom.
Chronic Mama was born out of desperation and turned into purpose. After years of diagnoses and survival-mode living, I started writing our story so I wouldn’t drown in it. What began as notes became a mission — to organize our life, advocate for my son, and share tools other families can use, too.
Meet Andy — my gentle giant.
Andy is an adult with Level 3 autism (mostly nonverbal) who communicates best through routine, visuals, and a whole lot of love. He’s happiest when life is predictable — meals (yes, with steak sauce!), music, and simple adventures together. Safety and dignity are our compass: we use clear routines, trained caregivers, and supportive technology to help him experience the world.
Our Mission
To turn lived experience into practical tools. Chronic Mama exists to help families and caregivers:
• Build predictable routines that actually work.
• Navigate safety with compassion (community outings, elopement prevention, caregiver training).
• Advocate for services that meet real needs.
• Feel less alone — and more equipped — every single day.
What You’ll Find Here
• The Chronic Mama Survival Folder — printable guides, visuals, and caregiver resources we use in real life.
• Blog posts about our journey: honest, practical, and heart-forward.
• Advocacy tips drawn from my background as a teacher and special education professional.
• Small wins, hard days, and everything in between — shared with respect for Andy’s privacy and dignity.
Our Values
• Real over perfect — we share what actually helps.
• Dignity and safety — always.
• Inclusion and access — resources that work for all levels and abilities.
• Collaboration — caregivers, providers, and families working as one team.
Start Here
• Read the first post: “Why I Started Chronic Mama Stephanie & Andy.”
• Download the Survival Folder starter pack.
• Say hi on the Contact page — tell me what would help your family most.
With love,
Chronic Mama Stephanie