b'Wiggins rescue dog, Kia, provides companionship and support.therapist,whoalsorunssocialskillsI started at the beginning, and I groups. For parents of kids with vari- listenedtoeverysingleone,Cohen ous challenges, that means everything. says. And every one of them, I was Another listener wrote to Wigginslike, Oh my gosh, this is what I need that she had just discovered the pod- to hear.castandhadalreadylistenedtofiveCohen, also a former special educa-episodes. Im crying happy tears be- tion teacher, reached out to Wiggins. cause its like you are talking to me,Beforelong,afriendshipblossomed the listener said. along with a new mission for Sheltered Mary Gutierrez, a listener from ElJourney:Providingresourceliststo Paso, Texas,postedontheShelteredpodcast listeners in all 50 states.Journey Facebook page to thank Wig- Cohen, who has become the direc-gins for the podcasts, which she saystor of volunteer services for Sheltered mirror many of her own emotions. Journey,startedresearchingcaregiver Therearemanycaretakerswhoresources and helplines, which are free justfeeltheagonyandtormentev- and confidential phone numbers that eryday with their loved one, and theseparents and caregivers can call for sup-messages of real experiences acknowl- port in hard times. With the help of edge me, she wrote. I am not seekingvolunteers,Cohencheckseachweb fame or fortune, but I do yearn (for) alink and phone number and then adds warm hug to assure me that I am in- it to a drop-down list of resources in deed doing the best I can. each state.And thats why she does the pod- To spread the word about the Shel-cast, Wiggins says. teredJourneypodcastandresources Its been amazing, she adds, andonitswebsite,shealsomailsstacks it just started with me saying that I justofpostcardstovolunteersacrossthe need to be honest about what its like. country, asking them to post them at Thathonestyalsoresonatedwithlibraries and other public places.Carol Cohen, who moved from Boon- Itsalaboroflove,Cohensays ton to Maplewood with her husbandof the work. To know that a frazzled in 2018 to be near to her adult daugh- parent can click on support and find terwhoisautisticandresidesinanwhat they need. Ive been there. I can independentlivinghomeinMaple- appreciatehowsomeonemightneed wood.(Cohensdaughterworkspartthat support and not have the time to time for Beloved Bath, a local soap- do the research.making business that employs peopleSelf-care is a big theme of Wiggins with autism.) podcasts, and for her next planned ex-Cohen,whoisarunner(andapansion of Sheltered Journey, Wiggins memberoftheSOMAFoxRunningaims to make self-care a reality for local Club),saidshesawaFacebookpostparents and caregivers by providing so-about Sheltered Journey and decided tocalled mini retreats.take her headphones along on her run. Theneedissogreatforparents 14/ matters magazine / fall 2023'