Parenting Past the Playbook: Fernanda and Lucas’s Caregiving Journey
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
For Fernanda, parenting has never followed a manual. As the mother of two children with autism, she’s spent years showing up and becoming a full-time caregiver—without shortcuts and often without support, until she found Entyre Care.
“I was always a full-time caregiver,” Fernanda said. “But now I have help. Now, not everything is on my shoulders.”
Fernanda has always cared for her son Lucas full-time — but she’ll be the first to tell you that getting the support to do it well hasn’t always come easy.
“I’ve always been a full-time caregiver,” Fernanda said. “But now I’m a full-time caregiver with help. Before, I was just by myself.”
Finding the Right Support
She discovered Entyre Care through a support group. “The process is really easy,” she recalled. “You just fill out the form online, and to my surprise, I think within the next day or even same day they called me back.”
Fernanda, who also cares for another child with autism, knew this would be a full-time commitment that required her to stay home. “I definitely know that I’m not able to work outside the house,” she explained. “So that’s why I started to search for the program.”
Life With Entyre Care
The difference was immediate. “Now I have support. If I need something, I can easily call Mikayla or Susan [the care team], and they help us… Also, the financial support really helps us now.”
At home, their everyday routine starts early. “Wake up at five, get ready for school—change clothes, eat, brush teeth, wait for the bus,” Fernanda shared. “Sometimes the bus comes at 6:40, sometimes at 7:00.”
Though school provides a break, Fernanda enjoys having the kids home during vacation. “During the school year, we’re anxious because we don’t know if something might happen at school,” she said. “But during vacation, they’re here with me. I feel relieved. But it’s also a lot of work.”
Lucas, the Movie Star
Lucas, 18, is full of creativity and energy. “I like to play video games and make movies on TikTok and YouTube,” he said.
He’s building a home movie studio with lights and a green screen, with the help of mom Fernanda of course. Even with limited resources, she has made sure he has everything he needs as well as a full creative outlet to focus his attention on.
Lucas has also become close with the care team. “The care team can be part of my movie” he said, grinning. His favorite part about the whole experience? “When Susan and Mikayla come to the house!” He added, “Mikayla always checks on me.”
Advice for Other Caregivers
Fernanda knows how isolating caregiving can feel. “As a mother of two children with autism… It’s a full-time commitment. It’s not like I can pay a babysitter to stay with the kids.”
Her message to other caregivers is clear: “Give it a try. Apply for the service. Now that I have support, it’s not all on my shoulders. When my younger son turns 18, I will try to get him on too.” And if she could tell her past self anything? “I wish this program started when we first got the diagnosis,” she said. “It’s really difficult—like a rollercoaster. But I’m happy to have the support now.”
