In April, I got an opportunity to attend a special event at Dylan’s Candy Store, that featured Holly Robinson Peete and her establishment of the HollyRod Foundation. After the event, we got a chance to speak about the foundation and what motivates her.
Holly Robinson Peete became a caregiver at a very young age. When she was just a freshman in college, her father—actor Matt Robinson, who originated the role of Gordon on Sesame Street—was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“I wanted to quit school to help him, but he wouldn’t let me,” Robinson Peete, remembers. “I did eventually become his main caregiver for the next 20 something years. I wish I’d had more help and I wish I’d had more information, which is one of the reasons why I love talking about caregiving openly.”
The Hallmark actress is also candid about raising a son with autism—Rodney Jr. “R.J.,” even going so far as to bring millions into her home via a reality-TV series starring her family. Originally called For Peete’s Sake on OWN, the show moved to the Hallmark Channel earlier this year with a new title, Meet the Peetes. “If I had turned on the TV back when R.J. was first diagnosed and seen a teenage boy with autism defying the odds, that would have given me hope,” she says. The show also stars her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Pete, R.J.’s twin sister, Ryan; and sons Robinson, and Roman.
I chatted with Robinson Peete about caregiving’s biggest challenges and rewards, and about her Hallmark career.
As a caregiver, you had to take care of your dad and RJ, how did you do that?
It was hard for me to take care of R.J. and my father [who died in 2002] at the same time. That overlapped for about five years, and it was probably the hardest years of my life. You’re busy taking care of others, and it’s very hard to conscientiously step back and go. It was difficult to do everything at once.
How has autism changed your family dynamic?
We really used to struggle with the shift of everything. It stresses the family many times, but we try to limit our pitfalls and we use the resources that we have. It is never easy but we try to enjoy the best parts.
My dad and my son led me to be of service for my community and gave me the ability to help others get the compassionate care that they need. We’re 20 years in and I am very hands-on. One of our big goals is helping young people with autism get jobs and training. It’s been awesome because there’s been a shift in the corporate world of hiring people on the autism spectrum. When R.J. was 3, we were told he would never have a job. But here he is working and we want that for so many other people like him. The program provides patient services including physician consultations, physical therapy, counseling services and ambulation aids to those who have little or no healthcare insurance and limited financial resources.
What are the biggest misconceptions about autism?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that individuals with autism is hard of hearing. They process the same way that we do. They are smart individuals and very bright. They have a great ability to work and if they can gain employment they do a wonderful job.
What do you think we as a country need to do more to educate on autism & Parkinson’s disease?
We need to change the world so that RJ can live his life to the fullest. We need to step up our research into Parkinson’s disease. We need to provide more programs that offer exercise and therapy for individuals. We also need to make sure that we are taking care of young people and their families and make sure the y don’t feel alone.
Being a caregiver can be difficult how do you stay center?
When you’re a caregiver, you have to deal with medicines and doctor’s appointments and getting bad news sometimes. I find that waking up and practicing gratitude has been very spiritually grounding. It’s really important for you to spend a little bit of time with yourself. If not you will not be able to continue to be a caregiver.
Finally, how are your enjoying your work on the Hallmark Channel?
I really enjoy working on family programming. It is inspiration television that the whole family can watch together. It brings the family together at least one night a week and spend quality time with each other.
