Ep. 160 - Behind Closed Doors: Autism, Abuse, and Finding the Courage to Love with Gerri

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Gerri Tennyson—autism advocate, author, interior designer, and domestic abuse survivor—for a raw and deeply personal conversation about survival, motherhood, and reclaiming her life. As a mother of fraternal twins, including her son Dwight, who was diagnosed with autism at age three, Gerri spent 17 years navigating an abusive marriage while advocating for her son's educational needs. In this episode, Gerri opens up about the realities of domestic abuse that people often don't see, the challenges of raising children in an unhealthy environment, and the courage it took to leave and rebuild her life. She also reflects on the financial hardships she faced as a single mother, the impact of domestic violence on her children, and the lessons she learned about independence, self-worth, and finding her voice again. In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 -  Meet Gerri 0:51 -  Dwight’s Autism Diagnosis 5:52 -  Regression in Language Development 7:15 -  Sibling Bond 9:17 -  Enduring Abuse in Her Marriage 12:16 -  Living Through a “House of Horrors” 13:54 -  Filing for divorce in 2010 14:28 -  Withholding Support for the Children 15:04 - The Escape Plan 16:44 -  Creating a Strong Support Network 22:54 -  Father Stops Showing Up 23:23 -  Dwight’s Improvement after Parent Separation 24:54 -  Fighting the School System 26:15 -  Letter to First Lady Laura Bush 28:28 -  Life Rebuilt 33:24 -  Dwight Today 37:34 -  No Shame, Ask for Help 42:47 -  The Reason I Breathe 42:59 -  Building Her Business 52:06 -  Advice for Autism Moms ABOUT OUR GUEST Gerri Tennyson is a mother of fraternal twins, Dwight and Taylor (now 28). She is the owner of Diamond in the Rough Designs (an interior decorating and staging business), and the author of the memoir; The Reason I Breathe; (published August 2024). She is also working on her second book. Gerri has been a fierce autism advocate for over two decades, helping counsel families navigate resources, and she shares her story to give hope to others. CONNECT WITH GERRI Gerri Tennyson, The Reason I Breathe: My Journey with Autism Against All Odds Purchase on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0blrrp7l Purchase on Barnes Noble: The Reason I Breathe | Barnes & Noble® Interior Design Business: Diamond in the Rough Designs Instagram: www.instagram.com/DITR_Design TikTok: Autism Big Mama Gerri’s Message to Autism Moms 1. Reach out to someone you trust — your church, a neighbor, a friend. Your support system doesn’t have to be blood related. 2. Make a plan — it doesn’t have to happen overnight. Take the time to prepare but always prioritize your safety. 3. “Squirrel” away resources — set aside small amounts of money wherever you can. 4. Know that staying for the kids isn’t protecting them — children see, hear, and feel what’s happening, even when you think they don’t. 5. Believe in yourself — the life on the other side of leaving is so much better, even when the lean years are hard. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available: National Domestic Violence Hotline: -For free, confidential support 24/7, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text “START” to 88788, or visit thehotline.org. -Begin building a support network by contacting a local church, community organization, or trusted neighbor. -If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast -Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community -Share this episode with someone you know would benefit from this episode Website: www.autismforbadassmoms.com Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast