b'From Singing the Blues to Speaking Her Truth Sheltered Journey, a new Maplewood nonprofit, aims to offer community, resources and respite.BY MALIA RULON HERMAN PHOTOS BY JULIA MALOOF VERDEROSAJanice Wiggins records podcast episodes from a converted closet.J aniceWigginshasofStartinginAprilof2021and alottosay.Shescontinuingthrough47episodes themotheroftwo(andcounting),Wigginstalks adult daughters, theabouttheexhaustion,theloneli-youngestofwhomness,andtheemotionaltollof struggles with emo- parenting a child with challenges, tionalandbehav- from having to medicateor hos-ioral challenges. pitalizeyour child to the effects That means for Wiggins the lastthe reactions of others on your twodecadeshavebeenspentnotpsyche. only managing her jazz and bluesI was sitting on my porch, and I said, Im justInEpisode16,NoNeedto singing career and her regular household responsi- going to speak into the mic about the reality of beingCall Back, Wiggins discusses how even the simple bilities, but also supporting and advocating for hera parent of a child who is neurodiverse, a child whoact of returning a friends phone call can cause stress.daughter, keeping in regular contact with therapists,has challenges, Wiggins said. Like many other parents or caregivers of chil-case managers, psychiatrists, and school administra- Whathappenednextwasmagical:Hithere,dren with challenges, I live in a state of overwhelm, tors, and staying on top of paperwork, procedures,shecroons,inherwarm,velvetysmoothvoice,Wiggins says. Its not that Im uninterested. Im a and evaluations necessary to keep her daughter sta- welcome to the first episode of Sheltered Journey, agood friend, Im a loyal friend, but most times, Ive ble and healthy. place where parents and caregivers of children withgot nothing to give.So, when the world (and Wiggins singing career)emotional, behavioral, developmental and intellec- One listener emailed Wiggins after the podcast shut down during the pandemic, Wiggins startedtual challenges can come anytime, anywhere to feelsaying that is exactly how she feels as a mom and talking. less alone, less isolated in their journey. caregiver.12/ matters magazine / fall 2023'