As an educator and mother of two teenagers, Joy has worked with many young people as they struggle to overcome fears, find their place in the world, and share their stories. Joy writes as a way to share her own experiences of different cultures and overcoming fears and insecurities. Her hope is that her stories inspire others to find fun ways to own their stories, especially those who have different cultural experiences.

Joy spent her childhood in Panama, overcoming childish fears, making friends, communicating in a different language, laughing at her brother’s parrot named Squirt, and most importantly learning that “different” doesn’t mean “bad.”

Being the kid that felt like they didn’t belong was a struggle, but one that Joy was able to overcome. Because of her own experiences, Joy learned to watch for others who seemed like they needed encouragement to be themselves and shine and find their voice.

In college, she majored Deaf Ministry and Intercultural Studies. After graduating, she and her husband moved to Uganda where they worked for eight years: Joy as a coordinator for the Deaf at a local college, and her husband in an audio/video studio that taught nationals how to create their own culturally relevant media.

Currently she and her family are settled in Longmont, Colorado, but she keeps everyone’s passports current, and they travel a lot. (Their goldendoodle, Koda joins in as many adventures as he can.)