A Note from Our President: Reflections on Resilience and Our Path Forward

It feels incredibly fitting to share my first update as President of Make Waves Family Foundation during Women’s History Month. Over these first few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on how gender equity and disability advocacy have always been intertwined in my personal and professional endeavors.

Lately, I’ve had the opportunity to examine these efforts at a higher level, and I find myself looking at our mission through a very personal lens.

The Power of Being Heard

During my second pregnancy, I suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)—a condition that goes far beyond "morning sickness." It left me deeply isolated, emotionally drained, and physically depleted for nine months. Two and a half years after the healthy birth of my bold, beautiful daughter, my medical journey continues. Even now, I still find myself fighting to be heard in a system that too often diminishes women’s symptoms and experiences.

This experience has sparked a fundamental question for me:

If I find navigating this system difficult as a person with deep knowledge of this space, what is it like for those facing complex disabilities and systemic disadvantages?

Beyond the Surface: The Full Scale of Make Waves

This question is at the heart of our continued work. For almost twenty years, Make Waves has been known for our deep impact in the Autism community. This includes federal and regional support for issues across the lifespan from:

• Education & Advocacy

• Safety and First Responder Training

• Employment

• Housing & Independent Living

What many don’t see is that we’ve also been quietly funding critical work across several vital sectors:

• Women’s Health: Supporting vital research and care across the female experience, including maternal and postpartum support, mental health, and chronic conditions that disproportunately affect women.

  Education: Expanding access through scholarships and initiatives to strengthen therapeutic staff, and build inclusive classrooms.

• Humanitarian Aid: Providing rapid response to global crises, from the pandemic and the Palisades Fire to famine in war zones.

As we enter a new strategic planning phase, we aren't just looking back at our impact - we are looking at our gaps. We are asking ourselves: How can our voice finally match the full scale of our mission?

Bridging the Intersections

We are currently exploring ways to more intentionally bridge the intersections of disability advocacy, women’s health, and crisis response. It is an evolving conversation. While we don’t have all the answers yet, the goal is clear: a future where the most vulnerable among us are no longer dismissed or ignored. We are striving for a world where "resilience" isn't just a requirement for survival, but a foundation for thriving.

Celebrating Our Shared Strength

For Women’s History Month, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the women in your life who lead with resilience. It is because of their strength that we stand at this pivotal moment, imagining a world where every woman is listened to, empowered, and given the opportunity to make waves.

I look forward to sharing more with you as this vision takes shape. We truly appreciate the support you’ve given us over the years.

With Gratitude,

Kristyn Roth President, Make Waves Family Foundation