Writing Your Own Story & Leaving a Legacy

In previous blog posts, we talked about the power of gossip, the pain of proving the truth, the retaliation that comes when you stand for what’s right, and the unimaginable loss of parental alienation.

So now, what’s next? How do you move forward when so much has been taken from you? How do you write your own story and leave a legacy, even when the people you once loved most may never return? That’s what we’re talking about today.

The Power of Writing Your Own Story

A few months ago, a FedEx driver knocked on my door with a package. Behind me, through the window, my books were neatly arranged—my backdrop for video recordings. As I greeted him, he hesitated for a moment and asked, ‘Are you an author?’

I smiled and said, ‘Yes, but I’m not the kind of author you typically find on the Oregon Coast. I don’t write romance novels. My books are about NeuroDivergent relationships—about Autists in relationships with NeuroTypicals.’

He nodded, said ‘Oh,’ and left. That was that—or so I thought.

A week later, he returned with another delivery. It was a cold day, the roads were icy, and I stepped outside to greet him again. This time, he looked at me with a shy smile and said, ‘I’ve been listening to eight hours of your podcast while driving.’

I was stunned. I asked him, ‘You found my podcast?’

He nodded and said, ‘Yes. I’m autistic. I’ve been listening to your podcasts to help me do better with my wife.’

Tears welled up in my eyes. Here was this young man, about the same age as my daughters, learning from me—learning what I had so desperately wished I could teach my own children. In that moment, I realized something profound: My story was still reaching people, even if it wasn’t reaching the ones I had lost.

The Legacy You Leave Beyond Your Losses

My daughters may never listen to me again. They may never read my books, hear my words, or see my side of the story. But does that mean my story is over? No. Because somewhere out there, there is someone—like that young FedEx driver—who is ready to listen.

And maybe, just maybe, one day the truth will reach my daughters through someone else. Maybe it will be a friend, a partner, or even a stranger who hands them one of my books or repeats something I once said. I may not get to see that moment—but I can trust that the truth has a way of finding the people who need it.

Radiant Empathy: The Fuel for Moving Forward

Radiant Empathy is a direct result of my suffering—but it is also a testament to my refusal to give up on myself. Instead of being consumed by my pain, I transformed it into something that could light the way for others. This journey led me to write my books, to develop the Map of Empathy Territory, and to create the 7-Step Interface Protocol.

At the center of it all is Radiant Empathy, my true north. It is the understanding that we are not bound by the limitations of our past or the cruelty of others. We have the power to rise above, to connect, and to create a life filled with purpose.

One of the most profound moments in this journey came from an ASD reader who found my work inspirational and helped refine the concept of Empathy Triad Engagement. It was a reminder that healing and growth are not solitary endeavors—we learn from each other, we evolve, and we expand the reach of our understanding.

Like my rocket ship dream, Radiant Empathy is the fuel that allows us to break free from the gravity of our past and launch toward new possibilities.

Write Your Own Ending

One of my students was struggling with her life. Her choice to leave her ASD husband had been extremely painful. She asked me how she could cope with the regret and suffering and get on with her life. I looked at her, smiled, and said, ‘You have only one choice. Go Big!’

She got it. She laughed and said, ‘I can do that.’

You are not alone. Your story isn’t over. It is time to go big, because going back is not an option. You have important work to do.