Events
May 1
Bring the Joy Luncheon
When: Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Houston Country Club, 1 Potomac Drive, Houston, TX 77057
Guest speakers Tanner Smith and Connor Tomlinson from Netflix's Love on the Spectrum, along with their moms Lise and Nicci, will share their inspiring journeys and perspectives on finding joy while navigating life with autism.
Your support will help Pursuit Center continue to transform lives through vital programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and other similar conditions.
Connor Tomlinson and Tanner Smith are two young adults who formed a lasting friendship after appearing together on Netflix's Emmy-winning docuseries "Love on the Spectrum US" Season 2. Both returned as cast members for Season 3, which premiered April 2, 2025.
Connor, who lives with Level 1 Autism, brings light and joy to his large blended family. A passionate enthusiast of history, books, swords, dragons, movies, music, foreign languages, and all things British, Connor is also a devoted animal lover who shares a special bond with his Pomeranian "Liebschen" Coco.
Tanner, a 26-year-old South Carolina native, was diagnosed with high functioning Autism and Sensory Integration Dysfunction at age 4. His joyful spirit and zest for life have captured the hearts of thousands, and his story of living and thriving on the Autism Spectrum has become an inspiration and source of hope for many. A 2022 graduate of ClemsonLIFE, Tanner now proudly works at The Shepherd Hotel in Clemson, SC.
Together, these two friends continue to share their journeys, bringing awareness, understanding, and representation to the autism community.
Lise Menard Smith and Nicci Smith, who met during Season 2 of Love on the Spectrum and became instant friends, are passionate autism advocates and proud mothers whose journeys have inspired thousands.
Lise, mother to Connor Tomlinson and his three younger siblings, brings a unique perspective shaped by her early career working with children with autism at The New England Center for Children. Her advocacy began when she noticed differences in Connor at 18 months old, eventually leading to his diagnosis at age five. Today, she's working to create a foundation supporting vocational opportunities for people with autism.
Nicci, a mother of four including Tanner, is also a fitness enthusiast who has made it her mission to share her family's story of diagnosis, acceptance, and eventual joy in their autism journey. Her greatest wish is to spread hope and inspiration to other families blessed with a differently abled child.
Together, these two remarkable mothers continue to champion autism acceptance and awareness, showing parents everywhere that the journey, while challenging, can be filled with profound joy and meaningful connection. Recently, they launched a new podcast called "Talk To Me Sis" where they dive into autism, family dynamics, and more, furthering their mission to support and connect with other families on similar journeys.
