My Story
A Journey of Mutual Transformation
If you’ve landed here, you’re likely a parent, just like I was - wrestling with a whirlwind of emotion, looking for answers in the dark, hoping for a lifeline. Or perhaps you came seeking help, a way out of the overwhelm, or just a whisper of reassurance that you’re not doing the wrong thing - or that if you are, you will someday.
I’m not here with answers or a ‘how to do this’ guide, I’m here with a story, one of someone who’s been where you are.
There are moments that will change your life, mine came in the form of hearing the words 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' used with my daughter’s name. But what I didn’t expect at the time was for this journey not only to transform her, but to transform me.
The Moment That Changed Everything
It was 3:28 PM on June 13, 2022. I sat in the small exam room at the Autism Clinic, gripping a discharge summary in my hands. My eyes skimmed over the two pages filled with dense medical terminology, yet only one line stood out:
Diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 2.
Just half an hour earlier, the doctor had walked in with a look that I couldn’t quite place - measured, kind, understanding, but with an unspoken weight.
"So, what do you think is going on?" she asked gently. "I see what you see, too. Based on the evaluation, your daughter meets the criteria for ASD Level 2. She’s only three - still very young. A lot can happen..."
She kept talking, but the words blurred, my mind blurred. I had secretly hoped the evaluation would rule out autism. Instead, it confirmed everything I was afraid to admit. Part of me felt frozen, unwilling to accept it. Part of me felt lost, staring at those words on the paper, knowing our lives had just changed forever.
The rest of the appointment passed in a haze. I barely remember the stack of informational sheets being placed in my hands or the kindness from the staff as they helped me check out.
The Weight of the Unknown
The world kept moving on as if nothing had changed - but mine had just split open. The drive home was silent yet deafening. Days passed before I could bring myself to read the diagnosis again, my stomach sinking as I unfolded the pages.
Why is this happening? Had I done something wrong?
Why her? Why us?
Will she ever get better?
These questions kept looping in my mind, one after another, without answers. The overwhelm hit like a tsunami, knocking me off my feet, pulling me into a deep, endless abyss. I felt like I was drowning, a heavy weight pressing down on my chest, making it impossible to breathe, impossible to see even the faintest glimmer of light.
As a first-generation immigrant, the weight felt even heavier.
With no family nearby and no built-in support system, I had no roadmap - just a diagnosis and an overwhelming sense of isolation, as if I were stranded on a lone piece of driftwood in the vast ocean, clutching the diagnosis in my hands with no shore in sight.
I silently muted the mom group chat where parents shared milestones, funny phrases, and stories of their kids' endless chatter. Their words felt like a world I no longer belonged to. In my culture, autism is rarely talked about, and when it is, it often comes with stigma, judgment, or misconceptions.
I worried not only about my daughter’s future but also about how others might see her - or me as a mother.
From Despair to Growth
The early months were a blur of paperwork and therapy applications. Progress felt slow and uncertain - until the little wins came: the first time she responded to her name without hesitation, the first time she spoke phrases. Behind each milestone were dedicated therapists - kind, patient professionals who saw her potential even when times I struggled to. Slowly, hope began to replace the fear.
Now in 2025, my daughter has come so far. She attends school, has graduated from most therapies, and is learning how to navigate the world - still beautifully, uniquely herself.
Looking back, those years were filled with tears, relentless effort, and countless hours navigating the pediatric behavioral health system. I poured everything into helping her, but somewhere along the way, I forgot about myself. I was exhausted - mentally, emotionally, physically. Some nights, I lay awake questioning if I was enough. There were moments of doubt, mistakes made, and lessons learned the hard way.
At the same time, I realized this wasn’t just her journey - it was mine too. Supporting her through challenges reshaped my perspective, strengthened my resilience, and deepened my patience and resourcefulness. What once felt like my greatest fear became a doorway to understanding, love, and growth. The diagnosis wasn’t just a challenge - it was a gift in disguise.
Parenting a child on the spectrum is a mutual transformation. As we guide them, they open our eyes to new ways of seeing the world, teaching us just as much in return.
The Purpose Behind Starry Bridge
That’s why I started Starry Bridge. Because I know what it feels like to hold that diagnosis paper in your hands, heart pounding, wondering what comes next.
I know the isolation. The helplessness. The overwhelm. The fear.
I also know that for first-gen immigrant families, seeking support for a child with autism isn’t just a logistical challenge - it’s a cultural one. Without extended family nearby or deep roots in the system, it can feel like navigating an impossible maze alone. In many communities, stigma around autism or developmental delays makes reaching out for help even harder.
This platform exists to bridge that gap - making resources accessible, sharing real experiences, prioritizing parental mental well-being, and empowering families to navigate this journey with clarity, confidence and support.
Through Starry Bridge, I want to create what I wish I had back then - a place where families can find practical guidance, emotional respite, and a community that understands the unique challenges of raising a child with autism and developmental delays while navigating cultural differences.
If you’re standing where I once stood, I want you to know - you’re not alone. There is a path forward, there’s hope, and we’re here with you.
If any aspect of this story resonates with your experience, don’t hesitate to reach out - we’re here to help.
* With heartfelt thanks to those whose insight and presence helped shape the soul and foundation of Starry Bridge.