December 6, 2024

Eva Soulia

The Worry of a Mother: Finding Strength and Hope for a Brighter Tomorrow

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Authored by Eva Soulia, Assistant Director of Comms, Libra Philanthropies

She’s afraid—not for today, but for tomorrow. She fears her daughter might be left alone.

“I’m scared she’ll end up alone,” my sister confided to me, her eyes welling up with tears, as we sat in a museum café in Athens. It wasn’t the first time she’d said it. Since the day her eldest daughter was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, this fear has haunted her. “She’s on the spectrum,” as we tend to say, those of us who didn’t know much about autism until it touched our lives.

My niece is an incredible human being. Unique, like all of us, with a special path unfolding before her. I remember watching her once, playing with her hands, lost in her own world. And I thought: “How many people see what I see? A brilliant, one-of-a-kind soul searching for her place in the world.”

But the flame of a mother’s worry—any mother whose child has autism—never burns out. It only grows stronger with time. Her little girl will grow up, step out from the shelter of her family, and spread her wings in a world that isn’t always ready to embrace her. Would things be easier if society understood more about autism? Maybe. But isn’t it worth trying? As a society, we’re constantly evolving, why not take a step forward toward inclusion and truly welcome people with autism into our communities as equals?

These thoughts lingered in my mind when I had the chance to visit Luv Michael, a nonprofit in New York City with a mission to provide vocational training and job opportunities for adults with autism. At their workshop, these individuals create high-quality, organic granola, using their hands to craft something tangible while learning skills that go far beyond the job itself.

“Whenever I told the interviewer for a potential job that I am autistic, they would take a step back, give a strange look and then I would not get a call back. That all changed when I came to Luv Michael. Luv Michael changed my life.”

Theresa, Luv Michael

The organization was founded in 2015 by Lisa Liberatore and Dimitri Kessaris, parents of Michael, a boy with autism. Lisa, medical doctor, envisioned a safe and accepting space where adults with autism could grow, develop skills, and live independently. Today, Luv Michael supports dozens of individuals—not just by providing jobs but by empowering them to become responsible citizens who contribute to society.

When I learned my colleagues and I would be visiting the organization, I had mixed feelings. It hadn’t been long since my sister’s visit to a developmental specialist, who told her my niece needed more support to develop certain skills because of her autism. When we arrived at Luv Michael’s granola workshop, we were greeted by Theresa, a warm young woman around my age, with a thoughtful yet vibrant presence. She welcomed us and shared her journey.

I’m used to making eye contact when I talk to someone, so I instinctively looked into Theresa’s eyes. But she avoided my gaze, clearly uncomfortable with direct eye contact, a trait I’ve noticed in my niece too. Both have beautiful eyes that say so much, even if they don’t meet yours. But I didn’t need her gaze to feel connected to her. The strength of her spirit and the trust she showed by sharing her life experiences as an adult with autism spoke volumes.

And hers is just one story. Right now, there are 75 million people with autism, and only 32% of them are employed. Globally, unemployment rates for adults with autism exceed 80%. This is a statistic we can—and must—change. How much better would our society be if more people understood autism? I’ve realized that with greater awareness, we could foster inclusion and create more opportunities for people with autism to find meaningful work. And perhaps my sister could rest a little easier about her daughter’s future.

I often hear her tell her little girl: “You’re strong. You’re brave.” And she is. So are the individuals working at Luv Michael’s granola workshop. So are all the people striving to find their place in a world that doesn’t fully understand them—yet.

About Luv Michael

Dr. Lisa Liberatore and her husband, both medical doctors, have dedicated their lives to addressing the challenges faced by autistic adults. Lisa left her successful 25-year medical career as an otolaryngologist to focus entirely on the crisis affecting autistic adults, including her 27-year-old son, Michael.

Luv Michael, the nonprofit organization she founded in 2015, began as a response to the lack of meaningful employment opportunities for autistic adults, 90% of whom are unemployed or underemployed. Recognizing Michael’s talent for cooking, the family launched a 501(c)(3) commercial bakery specializing in granola. The choice of granola was deliberate, requiring no knife skills and allowing production to be completed in one shift—important for individuals with autism, who benefit from seeing tasks through to completion.

Over the past decade, Luv Michael has evolved into a global advocacy initiative, raising awareness about the challenges autistic adults face. Granola production now serves as a thank-you gift for donors who engage with the program’s educational efforts. The organization has also prioritized a groundbreaking pilot program providing residential support for autistic adults wishing to live independently. Currently, three homes in Long Island, NY, house nine residents. This program addresses one of the most pressing concerns for families: ensuring a stable and fulfilling life for autistic adults after their parents are no longer able to care for them. The Luv Michael team is committed to empowering autistic adults in the workplace, fostering community inclusion, and building a kinder, more inclusive world. Through their efforts, they continue to inspire hope and create meaningful opportunities for autistic individuals.