Episode 23 A Mother’s Love: Ashley Haywood on Saving Sadie Ray and Living with Childhood Dementia

🌿 Top Takeaways:Grief and Joy Can Coexist: Ashley shares the emotional weight of watching Sadie lose skills — while fiercely choosing to create joyful memories that will last a lifetime. The Power of Early Diagnosis & Advocacy: Ashley’s persistence in pushing for genetic testing at just three months old led to an early diagnosis — a rarity in Sanfilippo cases — and years of proactive treatment and awareness work. You Don’t Have to Do This Alone: Whether through online awareness, faith communities, or local support groups, Ashley emphasizes the importance of finding your tribe and letting them hold space for you. Raising Awareness Is a Form of Love: Through Saving Sadie Ray, Ashley and her family are changing lives and building hope — one social media post, one story, one connection at a time. Parenting with Purpose: Even when the path ahead is uncertain, love remains constant. Ashley’s unwavering dedication reminds us all of the fierce strength of parenthood.  📝 Memorable Quotes:“You never know when it’s the last time your child will say ‘I love you’—I wish I had it on video.”“This isn’t the life I chose, but I’ve learned to love this life.”“I’m not doing anything special—I’m just being her mum.”“You don’t realize you’re a caregiver when you’re just doing what mums do.”“To be the best caregiver for her, I have to also be the best version of me.”“There’s so much grief in what won’t be—but we’re packing in as much life and adventure as we can.”“When we get recognized in public, it tells me what we’re doing is working. Awareness matters.” 🔗 Resources & Links:Follow Ashley’s journey: Saving Sadie Ray on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok Learn more or donate: Cure Sanfilippo Foundation