Julie Bryson and Catherine Sharpe

Julie Bryson authored the book “Out of the Ashes: How Autism Changed My Life” after her youngest of three daughters was diagnosed as autistic. She is a cosmetologist and fitness instructor. She has been married to her husband Chris since 1994, and they live next door to Catherine.

Catherine Sharpe graduated from New Mexico Military Institute, achieved a Master’s degree from California State University Northridge, and earned her doctorate in Language and Culture from the University of Texas Austin and Strassford University. She has three boys and has been married to her husband Larry for over 20 years. They reside in Louisiana.