About the Episode

This episode is part of the series “I Don’t Know How Special-Needs Families Survive Without…” where caregivers share the one thing they believe makes survival possible.

In this conversation, Susan Lomax speaks vulnerably about a season marked by deep grief after losing both her mother and mother-in-law, while continuing to care for her adult son with autism and support her grieving father. She shares how grief shows up unexpectedly in everyday life and how survival sometimes meant simply staying present, moment by moment.

Susan reveals her answer to the series question: creativity. Through music, journaling, doodling, and crochet, she found grounding, peace, and a way to reconnect with herself beyond the caregiver role. For Susan, creativity is not a luxury—it is a lifeline, an act of worship, and a vital tool for mental, emotional, and spiritual survival.

This episode offers hope and permission for special-needs parents to take even five minutes to create, reminding them that they are still people, still here, and still worthy of care.

Susan Lomax: I don't know how special-needs families survive without...