Stronger Together

Sarah Kittle

April invites us to slow down, listen more closely, and widen our understanding. As we recognize Autism Acceptance Month, this issue is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: every story, every mind, and every path deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated.

This month’s features highlight the beauty and complexity of neurodiversity in deeply human ways. In Celebrating Neurodiversity, we meet author Miriam Shapera, whose voice helps reshape how we understand autism—not as a limitation, but as a different way of experiencing the world. In The Path Less Ordinary, families open their hearts to share the realities, challenges, and triumphs of raising children on the spectrum. Their stories are honest, sometimes difficult, but always filled with resilience and love.

But awareness is only the beginning. True progress comes from acceptance, inclusion, and action. It means building communities where differences are not just accommodated but embraced; where individuals are empowered to thrive as they are.

That spirit of community carries throughout this issue. In Love, Courage, and Community in Crisis, we see how Shenandoah rose in a moment of fear, reminding us that strength is often revealed in how we show up for one another. Neighbors looking out for neighbors and parents helping other parents—that’s how we cope in difficult times. They say the sum is stronger than the individual parts, and it is proven true time and again.

Let’s not forget our family in Iraq. In this issue, Dr. Adhid Miri introduces us to Saadi Al Saihood, a figure whose life’s work reflects the power of vision rooted in service. Through the founding of the American University of Iraq–Baghdad and the work of his Tree of Life Charitable Foundation, his impact extends far beyond business, touching education, healthcare, and the lives of thousands of families.

We also turn the lens inward with a profile of Dr. Adhid Miri himself, a man whose life reflects a rare blend of intellect, resilience, and purpose. Today, through his writing, teaching, and work with the Chaldean community, he is preserving stories that might otherwise be lost and bridging generations with insight and care. His story is not only one of personal reinvention, but a powerful reminder that knowledge, when shared, becomes legacy.

Across these pages, from cultural reflections on the Chaldean community’s 5,000-year journey to stories of leadership, service, and emerging talent, we are reminded that identity is not one story, but many, woven together.

As you read, I encourage you to reflect on the stories we tell—not just as a publication, but as a community. Whose voices are we uplifting? Whose experiences are we still learning to understand?

This April, let’s move beyond awareness. Let’s choose empathy. Let’s choose inclusion. And most importantly, let’s continue listening.

Sarah Kittle
Editor in Chief