At Ziggleoafing Books, every purchase helps support mental health.
Each month, we donate a portion of proceeds to an organization making a difference.
Here’s who we’re celebrating this month & why they matter:
Autism Society Maryland: Celebrating Autism Awareness Month
When my husband and I were first dating, we had honest conversations about the future: what long-term could look like, & whether that included children. I shared openly about my struggles with mental health & how that shaped my hesitation around becoming a parent.
I knew he had so much love to give. So, I suggested volunteering.
Since he worked in neurodivergent nursing, I figured let’s focus on something similar, & we found Special Olympics.
What began as occasional volunteer calls for weekend tournaments—bowling and softball—quickly turned into something much bigger when we met the Howard County basketball PDU team. The organizer, Gigi, & Head Coach, Colleen, created something more than a team. They built a space rooted in support, belonging, & joy. That small group became a family to us.
Through that experience, our lives changed.
We began volunteering more: coaching track, organizing tennis, & supporting bowling. Then, volunteering gave me the confidence to suggest fostering. We had seen what our consistency, patience, & community could do, so we step into fostering children with autism, behavioral health needs, & medical complexities. The foundation we built through Special Olympics made us feel capable, supported, & ready.
Some of our most meaningful moments:
- During COVID, helping deliver basketballs to athletes—purchased by Gigi & Colleen—to keep connection alive during isolation
- Coaching track while bringing along our daughter, Alma, & watching athletes hold her hands helping her as she showed off her new ability to walk
- Leading tennis (with very little experience), & having families step in with patience & encouragement
- Bringing one of our foster children to basketball & watching him light up as he helped with drills
Community Feature
What we found in that space was a network of understanding, family, & genuine happiness.
That’s why supporting Autism Society of Maryland is so personal to me. They provide the same kind of community-centered support that changes lives; whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or self-advocate, they create space for connection, guidance, & belonging.
There isn’t enough room to share everything they offer, but I encourage you to explore their work & consider supporting them.
If you choose to purchase this month, you’re not just supporting my book—you’re helping give back to organizations like this that make real, lasting impact in people’s lives.
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