What would you do if you faced profound loss while raising a child with special needs—could you find grit and grace to move forward?

In this episode, I sit down with Jess Ronne—an author, podcaster, nonprofit executive, and passionate advocate for families of children with special needs—to explore this question and more as she shares about her family’s incredible journey. Jess opens up about raising her son, Lucas, who has profound autism, and navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of early childhood, including the heartbreaking loss of her first husband, Lucas’s father. She reflects on finding love again, expanding her family, and now transitioning Lucas to supported housing as an adult, all while balancing caregiving with self-care. Jess also discusses her new book, Caregiving with Grit and Grace, and the creation of The Lucas Project, a nonprofit providing vital resources and respite for caregivers. This heartfelt conversation highlights the power of resilience, community, and love.