Community Corner

When a Child's Needs Mean Changing Careers

Despite challenging economic times, writer Amelia Ramstead built a business that allows her to meet the needs of her son. Sponsored by Grape-Nuts.

This post was written by Kathleen F. Miller. 

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. 

Writer Amelia Ramstead is a 38-year-old healthcare copywriter and owner of Seattle Healthcare Copywriting. She and her husband, Gavin, have a 12-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. The Renton, WA, couple's son was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in 2008, and since then, Ramstead has devoted a great deal of her time caring for his needs. Those needs inspired her to change careers in 2010, from working as a pharmacy technician for more than a decade, to becoming a writer. 

Q. What is the biggest challenge you have taken on? 
A. “My son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in 2008. As his behavior continued to become more difficult, it became more challenging for me to work full time outside the house. Becoming a stay-at-home parent was not a reasonable long-term solution, either. We had too many bills to pay, and I knew it was something I would not enjoy. 

"When it got to the point where I knew that I could not sustain the current status quo, I started searching for ideas. One that came to me was that I could write. While I was the person who everyone turned to when they needed something written or proofread, I knew nothing about freelance writing. So I decided to learn. I read everything I could find, and then asked for recommendations from others and read those, too. 

"In the past two years, I have built a successful freelancing business from scratch. I help to support my family, and I can easily weave my son’s various appointments and therapies around my business, even though it does mean the occasional late night!” 

Q.
 What inspired you to take this challenge? 
A. “I wanted good things for my family. I wanted to be able to lead a lifestyle where we weren’t constantly scraping by or depending on others. I also wanted to set a good example for my kids that when things get tough, it’s OK to cry about it for a little while, but then you have to get up and do something about it. 

"So many of my friends and family believed in me and encouraged me. I’ve had others come to me to ask how I did it and if I could show them how to do this as well. It feels good to be a mentor!” 

Q.
 Did you succeed? 
A. “It depends on how you define success! As I’ve seen on countless T-shirts, there is no finish line. I currently have plenty of work, the bills get paid, I’m there for both of my kids when they need me. To me, that’s success. The next step for me is to go back to school and acquire my bachelor’s degree since I never finished that when I was younger.”


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