Welcome to Holland | Episode 34

Bringing attention to and celebrating Autism Awareness Month.

Show Notes

April is Autism Awareness Month.  

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 44 children in the United States today.  

In this podcast "Welcome to Holland" we will interview to mothers whose children have been diagnosed with Autism. They will talk about the challenges and triumphs of raising a child and adult with autism.  

"Welcome to Holland" is in reference to a poem written by a parent of a child with a disability and she tries to comfort other parents struggling to accept their own special needs situations.

What is Interruptions-Disrupting the Silence?

Interruptions is a podcast hosted by Rev. Odell M. Cooper and Cathy Patton, two parents whose lives were Interrupted - one by gun violence and the other by autism. The hosts use their voices to Disrupt the Silence caused by inherited faith and family traditions, cultural and societal stigmas, and fear. Each episode openly addresses racial and economic disparities and the impact on mental health in communities of Black and Brown people. Their guests share personal stories about how their lives have been traumatically Interrupted and portions of their own survival narrative.

Join us to hear the stories of how to reinvent yourself in the midst of your Interruptions.

Check out the video on Youtube @https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKpfZkgU0jyIVkWBoQ_GqqWYMZ7Xd724r

Hosts 1: Rev. Odell Montgomery Cooper
Rev. Odell Montgomery Cooper MA, is currently a playwright, soon be an author “Interruptions, Disrupting the Silence”
which is her personal story of trauma, faith and resilience as she responds to her Interruptions and the awakening.
Also serving as an Associate Minister at Mt. Aery Baptist Church in Bridgeport, CT. An advocate for social Justice
and issues that impacts communities of color. Rev. O is committed to share her personal journey of Suburban Urban
mother having her life abruptly interrupted. Which led to a domino effect in her life. B
y ignoring and not recognizing trauma, she suffered from PTSD, loss of employment, detachment from relationships
and suicidal ideation. As a minister, Odell struggled with coping with her faith and God’s decision. Rev. O suffered a
Brain aneurysm on the birth date of her son who became another innocent casualty to gun violence.
She shares her trauma, will to live and becoming resilient. Odell struggled to overcome family traditions, cultural and
societal stigmas about mental health and discovered a way reinvent herself during her trauma. Rev. Cooper a
Bostonian, completed her undergraduate degree at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Her path toward ministry began while attending Hartford Seminary's Black Ministries Program (BMP).
Where she also earned her master’s degree. She currently serves as the President of the Hartford Seminary's Black Ministries Program Alumni Association (BMPAA). Professionally, she has a successful career in being innovative in developing others to achieve successful employment and leadership development in various sectors and faith-based sectors. She serves on the executive leadership team for Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut (CONECT). Board Chair for Connecticut Violence Intervention Program (CTVIP) and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., New Haven Alumnae Chapter. She is the mother of two children, Jackie and John (deceased), and loving grandmother.

Host 2: Cathy Patton
Cathy Robinson-Patton a native of Bridgeport, CT. An active member in her childhood church Mount Aery Baptist Church serving as the Administrative Chair for the MAAFA Production. Cathy earned a BA and Masters in the field of Social Work, from the University of Connecticut. Afterwards she secured a career with The Department of
Social Services. Being rewarded for skills and talents and commitment to the profession she was promoted to various positions retiring as the Deputy Director of Field Operations. Her responsibilities included children, adults, and the disabled population. Cathy has served as the past President of the Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter, of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. member of the Order of Eastern Star, Eureka Chapter #2 and host of other community organizations. Currently she is working in Social and Human services with students at Western University
as an Adjunct Professor. She is also with The Connecticut Center for School Change as a Parent Liaison for their Parents Supporting Educational Excellence (Parent SEE) program, that assist parents to become leaders within their school districts to so that all children receive quality education and achieve at high levels.
Being a parent of a child with Autism, she has spent many years as an advocate for all parents to ensure this population receives equal opportunities. She was also a past member of the Hamden Board of Education and Diversity Advisory Board. Her favorite and most active role is that of being a wife of 33 years to her college sweetheart,
Garland Patton and the proud mother of two, Garland Jr. and Teal, her daughter in-law Jazmine and her 3 grand dogs.