“When you have children you learn that you are capable of more patience, less sleep, and more love than you ever thought possible.”

The preceding line from Rebecca Maher’s “Pancakes & a Lobster Tank; Living with Autism, Loving Alex” is actually a very accurate description of the author herself.  Rebecca is a Mother, Author, Performer, and Student that has taken a less than traditional path.

In 2009, Rebecca completed “Pancakes” as she celebrated her fortieth birthday and embarked on her junior year as a psychology major at Kent State University.  This work, born of her yet untitled memoir, brought her artistic vision to public audience in April of 2010.

As a girl, growing up in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley, Rebecca spent much of her time watching VHS Tapes of popular stand-up comedians (including Dennis Miller, Rosie O’Donnell, and Tina Fey) as they claimed their respective spots in the world of entertainment.  She envied their opportunities to make people laugh as she fulfilled her role as class clown in her high school.  It wasn’t until the completion of her premiere theatrical work that she found her voice as not only an author but also a performer and she began to experiment with her comedic ambitions in the entertainment capital of the world…Warren, Ohio.

To date, “Pancakes & a Lobster Tank; Living with Autism, Loving Alex” has enchanted audiences across the state of Ohio.  Rebecca has had the honor of sharing her audiences’ laughter and tears as tells of her experiences raising a child with Autism (youngest son, Alexander).  The stark reality of this work, which is based on her personal experiences, has touched people with its’ deft juxtaposition of humor and triumph, mixed with a little bit of tragedy.  She has made a unique statement on the human condition and her performance makes such universal for those living “outside the bubble of autism.”