Lindsey Nebeker, pianist, advocate for many important issues (eating disorder awareness, LGBTQ rights, and supporting sexual abuse survivors…to name a few), creator/owner/blogger/voice of Naked Brain Ink, speaker, and soon to be wife of David Hamrick. Lindsey Nebeker wears many hats. I also consider her and David to be the autism community’s power couple.
Together with David, the pair has been featured in Glamour, NBC News, Women’s Magazine (UK), Autism Spectrum Quarterly, and MTV. They were also one of the couples featured in the documentary Autism in Love.
See what I mean when I call them a power couple?
I had the joy and absolute pleasure of meeting Lindsey at the 2014 Love & Autism Conference. My first impression of Lindsey was ‘cool artist chick’. She is the kind of person that just radiates kindness and warmth. And she has some amazing and unique jewelry!
Immediately after her 2014 presentation I asked her to present at this year’s Love & Autism. That’s how good her presentation was!! In keeping with the theme of the conference, Lindsey spoke about love, communication, connectivity and tolerance in relationships. Yes, she spoke on these important relationship elements from the perspective of both being on the spectrum and being in relationship with someone on the spectrum. However, as I listened to her speak, I found myself nodding in agreement as I thought about my own relationship.
Lindsey believes that, “If you love each other, you will make it work.” We at Love & Autism: A Conference with Heart, agree. Whether it’s ‘making it work’ in a romantic relationship or between a parent and child, the message is the same. You love each other, so you work hard to make sure their needs are met. The trick is balancing out needs in the relationship to ensure that both people’s needs are met, not just the needs of one person.
This year’s presentation promises to be just as powerful. Lindsey will be touching on vulnerability in relationships. A very important discussion as vulnerability is the way to deepen connection. But vulnerability can also lead to hurt.
The sad reality is research shows children with disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing abuse and neglect than children without disabilities. Therefore, it is important to know how to protect oneself from becoming a victim. This is also critical information for parents with children on the spectrum so that they know what to do to protect their child.
Learning to navigate when it is safe or unsafe to be vulnerable is the key to balancing the risks versus the rewards. Lindsey’s discussion promises to be both poignant and thought provoking.
I know I can’t wait to hear her speak on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Love & Autism: A Conference with Heart. Be sure you don’t miss her. To register, visit our website loveandautism.wpengine.com. There you will also find more information on our other incredible speakers, how to attend for little to no money, and about our All-Autism Wedding! We look forward to seeing you there.