Caryn Sullivan always planned to be a “professional woman.”  She was, for nearly a decade.  Her world changed dramatically in 1993, however, when, pregnant with her daughter, she learned her two-year old son had autism.  After making the tough decision to leave her promising legal career at an international law firm and become the stay- at- home mom she was ill-prepared to be, Caryn began a journey that led her to hone many roles: female head of a blended family household, medical crisis manager, cancer patient, volunteer, editor, writer, and most recently, widow.

With these experiences as her backdrop, Caryn strives to bring her readers words that matter about current affairs, with a focus on the challenges we all face in everyday life.  Mindful that everyone has a story, she frequently shares her own. She connects with readers, welcoming them in her own quest for perspective.

You can see Caryn’s writing in outlets such as the St. Paul Pioneer Press, MinnPost, Regularfolksunited.com, Autismspeaks.com and countless newsletters and journals. Her essay “Dancing with Despair” was published in the anthology, Special Gifts:  Women Writers on the Heartache, the Happiness and the Hope of Raising a Special Needs Child. In 2009, Caryn was awarded the ARC of Minnesota Community Media Excellence Award.

In addition to writing, Caryn has shared lessons learned about parenting  her son with autism (now an adult), in other arenas.  She has served as a volunteer to the University of Minnesota Autism Initiative, the Advisory Council for Fraser, (the largest provider of autism services in Minnesota), the District 197 Community Education Advisory Council, the Highland Friendship Club, and numerous school district councils.  She has given presentations to local organizations, such as The Autism Society of Minnesota, and Rotary.

A distinguished graduate of the University of Utah and William Mitchell College of Law, Caryn enjoys staying active through cycling, Pilates, traveling, and gardening. She lives in Minnesota with her family.