Christy kneels to the right of her autistic son. They are outside during autumn, on a paved path. Fallen leaves surround them.

Meet Christy Russell

The mom who reads the fine print so you don’t have to.

Let’s be  so for real right now.

You didn’t plan to become an expert in education law, the new Medicaid rules, and neuroaffirming care…

But here you are, raising a kid in a world not designed for them.

Hi. I’m Christy. I’ve been there.

Actually, I'm still there...

But now I’ve got friends in high places, a penchant for research, and a whole lotta will to make it all easier for us.

I’m the founder of Experiential Life, the community for families like ours…

The kind of people who:

✔️ Believe behavior is communication.

✔️ Have cried in a variety of public spaces — not because of our kids, but because of how people treat our kids.

✔️ Are too tired for sugarcoating, but too stubborn to give up.

I didn’t create Experiential Life because I had spare time lying around (ha!). I built it because the systems weren’t designed for families like ours – and rather than complain about it, I wanted to fix it – for us.

Christy, parent of an autistic 14 year old, wears a beige sweater, and her long, brown, curly hair falls over her shoulders.

15

years working in disability systems

1,000+

families helped

250+

resources created

100+

Provider Partnerships

My Story

From nonprofit founder to tech founder

I always say that everything I build is because I’m selfish. 

I started a nonprofit therapy clinic because our family used Medicaid and no pediatric therapists in our community accepted Medicaid. 

So I built a nonprofit that accepted Medicaid, hired pediatric therapists, and helped over 1,000 families in my community the year the doors opened. 

I was tired of feeling like an imposter every time I sat in a meeting or made a phone call, so I joined committees, commissions, and coalitions that support disabled folx. I wanted to know how policy decisions got made – and I ended up helping make the decisions. 

I wanted to understand how advocates educated legislators, so I accepted a job as the Director of Operations for a State Council on Developmental Disabilities. I not only learned how to educate policymakers, but I learned how federal funding passes through to the states, local government, and grassroots organizations. I’ve managed over $15M in federal funds over the last 7 years. 

I was tired of searching Google, Facebook Groups, and eventually AI what words, acronyms, and program policies meant. It was hours of falling down research rabbit holes with nowhere to put everything I learned, everyone I met – and no way to help families like mine… in one place. 

I built Experiential Life Community so we don’t have to fall down the research rabbit holes any more. 

Every time you open Experiential Life, the first thing you see is, “What do you need help with today?”

And I answer your question, so you don’t have to be a collector of information any more – you can use the information to make a plan and decisions for your child. 

3

What families Have to Say

Terrific and unlike anything out there! I appreciate it being created BY a mother of an autistic child and not just some company.

Mom to an autistic teen and App User

Christy stands in front of large butterfly wings made of flowers.
Christy and her son, "C" sit at a round table with a yellow table cloth and bouquet of bright flowers. They attended the Sunshine Ball together, a dance for people with developmental disabilities.
Christy stands with her son, "A" on the far left, "O" in the middle, and husband in the back, at a charity event for a local nonprofit theater that offers inclusive musical theater programs.
Christy hangs from a zip line and is centered in a large red heart, hanging high from the sky.

Want To Know More?

01

My Biggest Professional Accomplishment

When my youngest son received his autism diagnosis, I founded a nonprofit to enhance the quality of life for children with special healthcare needs and their families across the lifespan. I wanted to make sure that families like mine have access to the resources and services they need within the region they live. The nonprofit is still supporting families today.

02

What I Truly Believe IN

✊ BLM

🏳️‍⚧️ 2SLGBTQIA+ rights are disability rights

🏳️‍🌈 Love is love

🌍 No human is illegal 

💉 Vaccines save lives

🧠 Autism isn’t a disease to cure

💁‍♀️ Matriarchy over patriarchy

📚 Books shouldn’t be banned

🎤 DEI isn’t radical – it is necessary

🧑‍⚕️ Healthcare is a human right

🧑‍🏫 Schools should bring joy not fear 

03

What I'm Not About

You won’t find me pushing gimmicks or promising cures. I am not about making my son’s diagnosis my tragedy. Instead, I am all about making sure disabled and neurodivergent kids get to live in their communities, go to school, make friends, and live life with dignity, respect, autonomy, and choice.

04

Fun Facts

In the winter, my favorite place to be is in front of the fireplace with a cup of coffee, snuggled under a fluffy blanket, and reading a book. In the summer, I am most often found by the pool with a book in my hand. In between, you can find me volunteering for my favorite nonprofit, taking a walk in the woods, or feeding family and friends. 

What Families Have to Say

I am profoundly grateful for the incredible support Christy has provided in navigating the complex landscape of services.

G.R. - Mom to an autistic teen
with seizure disorder

Experiential Life Community
(it's also an app)

Advocacy Partner In Your Pocket

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re stuck reading the MapQuest directions on cheap printer paper while everyone else is getting turn-by-turn navigation in their ear  – you’re in the right place.