Ep. 143 - When Life Didn't Let Up: Grief, Child Protective Services, and a Mother's Fight to Hold it Together with Eugenia

In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah speaks with Eugenia Woods, a mother, grandmother, and advocate from Long Island, New York, whose autism parenting journey was shaped by bullying, grief, homeschooling, and a difficult encounter with Child Protective Services.After her son Juan received an autism diagnosis at age 9,Eugenia found herself fighting for his educational needs while navigating multiple personal and family challenges. When the school system failed to provide the support he needed, she made the courageous decision to homeschool him for six years—despite facing scrutiny and resistance along the way.Eugenia shares her story of resilience, advocacy, anddetermination, offering hope to parents who are fighting for their children while trying to hold themselves together. In this episode, we discuss:0:00 – Intro & welcome 0:50 – Being a parent of color in the autism space2:20 – Stigma in Black & Brown communities 3:40 – Sensory tools & educating family 4:58 – Early signs at ages 2–3 6:05 – Juan's late diagnosis at age 9 6:40 – Fighting for a neuropsych eval 10:20 – Navigating IEP meetings 11:35 – Bias from school professionals 13:10 – Your right to record meetings 14:20 – Being dismissed as a Black mother 17:57 – CPS called by the school 18:41 – Going to court against the district 19:15 – When did the signs first appear? 23:20 – The pediatrician who actually listened 26:00 – School anxiety, regression & bullying 28:10 – "I'm sad and no one cares" 31:45 – CPS case resolved 32:50 – Homeschooling begins 34:41 – 6 years of homeschooling 38:00 – Finding resources at the library 41:33 – 18 rejections; Gersh Academy says yes 42:48 – Juan thrives; the teacher who changed everything 45:40 – Pursuing Juan's GED during COVID 47:13 – Waiting for the results 48:44 – He passed! 49:40 – Loss & grief during the pandemic 51:21 – Juan's suicidal ideation 53:20 – A mother's heartbreak 53:51 – Eugenia's COVID hospitalization & kidney failure56:20 – "Mom, who will care for me when you'regone?" 57:15 – Healing through community & faith 59:40 – Juan's gift: tech skills & purpose 1:00:12 – Eugenia's liturgical dance ministry 1:02:20 – Laughing with Juan now 1:04:50 – Hiding her illness from her kids 1:07:10 – Give yourself 5 minutes 1:09:15 – Finding herself again at 50 1:10:30 – Becoming a grandmother 1:11:05 – First college grad in the family 1:14:31 – How to connect with Eugenia 1:15:10 – Eugenia's published book 1:17:00 – Women's empowerment organizations 1:18:27 – Emmy-winning play & acting work 1:19:20 – You can't tell God what you won't do 1:23:20 – What being a badass means to Eugenia 1:24:15 – Encouragement for struggling parents 1:25:35 – Outro Connect with Eugenia:Instagram: www.instagram.com/genias_gemsFacebook: Genia Lin Connect with Autism for Badass Moms:Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to:-Follow the podcast-Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform-Leave a review to help us reach more autism moms across the globe-Share this episode with a mom who needs to hear this