Kindness That Advocates

Kindness That Advocates

From Pork Pond Gazette by Mike Rathbun

March 12, 2026 · 37 min

About this episode

Whitney Price discusses the power of empathy and community in advocating for families with neurodiverse children.

Send a text What if the strongest form of advocacy didn’t sound loud, but felt deeply human? We sit down with Whitney Price , founder and executive director of Unpuzzled Parents Connect , to unpack how empathy, clarity, and community can move mountains for families raising neurodiverse kids. From West Virginia’s resource deserts to two-hour doctor trips and long insurance battles, Whitney shows how facts over fury and kindness over shame can open doors that frustration often slams shut. We trace the family journey from the shock of an early autism diagnosis to the quiet heroics of daily advocacy: documenting medical necessity, lining up provider letters, and appealing denials with patience and precision. Whitney shares practical tactics for IEP meetings, healthcare pushback, and those tough moments when a child’s sensory needs collide with rigid systems. Along the way, she refuses the false choice between being “nice” and being “effective,” proving that compassion is a strategy, not a soft spot. Connection anchors everything. Whitney explains how a simple support group grew into a nonprofit that trains parents, hosts expert voices, and builds bridges through story and practical…

People in this episode

Host: Mike Rathbun

Guest: Whitney Price

Topics covered

  • advocacy
  • neurodiversity
  • empathy
  • community support
  • autism awareness
  • parenting strategies

Keywords

  • advocacy
  • neurodiverse kids
  • IEP meetings
  • healthcare
  • autism
  • support groups
  • empathy
  • community

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Unpuzzled Parents Connect

Places: West Virginia

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