On today’s episode of Rocking the Difference, I am honored to welcome an incredible guest whose story is one of resilience, transformation, and the power of self-belief. Amanda Casarella grew up facing challenges that many of us can relate to—struggling with a learning disability, battling debilitating migraines that kept her out of school, and navigating the stigma of being placed in special education. On top of that, she endured shame and abuse that made her believe her identity and worth were tied to her disability.

She made the courageous choice to reclaim her narrative, break free from the limitations placed on her, and step into the truth of who she is. Today, she embraces her journey, knowing that every challenge shaped the powerhouse woman she’s become. She’s now a passionate actress and entrepreneur, using her experiences sharing her journey to inspire others, proving that our past does not define us—our determination does.

You can find Amanda Casarella here:

Instagram: @Amanda.Casarella and @alittlehouseorganized

www.amandacasarella.com

www.alittlehouseorganized.com

After the busyness of the holidays, I wanted to get back in touch with you all and talk about intention, creating community and upcoming changes and challenges this year.

Here is a quick episode to get reconnected!

Some great Podcasts to check out: The Special Needs Mom Podcast - Episode: Stabilizing After Winter Break and Moms Talk Autism Podcast

You can find me on Instagram @Rockin_the_Difference Email: rockinthedifference@gmail.com

Today I talk with my friend, Nada, on the sacrifices we make as parents of special needs individuals.

We all make sacrifices to ensure our kids are getting the best of what we can give them. With Nada, this meant moving countries with her kids, while her husband stayed. It meant giving up what she was familiar with to make sure her son lived a full life and adjusting to a new family dynamic with her kids and long distance marriage.

She's an amazing woman and I hope you can resonate with her story.