Posts by: Sophia San Filippo

Based in New York City, Sophia San Filippo has worked with Love What Matters as a lead editor and content curator since early 2019 and has acted as Managing Editor since early 2021. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Binghamton University who holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Creative Writing, and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. She is passionate about personal storytelling and creating a positive space in media to better the lives of others. On a typical day you can find her rocking out at her local concert venue, admiring nature, or baking her latest kitchen experiment.

‘How did I get here?’ I kneeled over the toilet, heart racing. Suddenly, I heard God speaking, ‘Don’t do this, Rachel.’: Woman shares eating disorder recovery journey, ‘I had to break free’

“Could I escape from this prison of disordered eating, self-hatred, and destructive pursuit of weight loss? Would I ever find love? My knees ached as I shakily got up off the cold tile floor. I couldn’t keep living like this.”

Sophia San Filippo - Nov 30, 2020

‘She talks to him, even though she knows he can’t talk back.’: Mom shares ‘heart-melting’ friendship between non-verbal, autistic son and classmate

“She could bully him, pick on him because he is different. Instead, she doesn’t try to change him. She sits with him, holds his hand, and likes him just the way he is. This is not your typical love story.”

Sophia San Filippo - Nov 30, 2020

‘All the progress he made is gone. We’re back to square one.’: Mom to son with nonverbal autism discusses impact of COVID-19

“6 years of coaching, teaching, and planning went down the drain. When the world goes back to normal, we get to start all over again.”

Sophia San Filippo - Nov 30, 2020

‘Come OOOONNN!’ I used to wonder why my mom was always the last one out of the house. Then I became a mom.’: Mom says ‘we take care of absolutely everyone and everything before ourselves’

“For the longest time, I didn’t get it. She had started at the same time we did! Then I became a mom.”

Sophia San Filippo - Nov 30, 2020

‘He didn’t try to replace her dad. He came along, just when we thought we’d never feel joy again, and filled the unspeakable void in our hearts.’: Widow pens appreciation letter to bonus dad

“She didn’t have a dad anymore. A guy to love her no matter what, intimidate boys, or agree with her when mom was acting crazy. And then, just when I thought she was never going to feel joy again, along he came.”

Sophia San Filippo - Nov 30, 2020

‘I can only do so much.’ It’s just the two of us. One day, I won’t be here. Who will tell her I’m gone? Who will make sure she’s safe?’: Autism mom shares daughter’s journey, ‘I’ll let her lead the way’

“We were in survival mode. She kicked me in the face and dragged me across the kitchen floor. I got her in the car and drove straight to the hospital. I dropped to my knees, begging for someone to help my daughter.”

Sophia San Filippo - Nov 30, 2020

‘The doctor leaned in. ‘Your body is not damaged. Stop the surgeries, stop the fertility treatments. Something is missing, and I’m going to find out what it is.’: Woman pregnant with rainbow baby thanks doctor’s kindness, ‘She spoke life into me’

“You have a 2% chance of ever conceiving a child.’ I didn’t know when or how it would happen, but I felt it deep within my soul.”

Sophia San Filippo - Nov 25, 2020

‘Both their parents died. I was a stay-at-home mom, barely used to life with 3 kids. The idea of adding 3 more was crazy.’: Couple adopt 3 siblings from orphanage, become ‘forever family’ of 8

“A newborn in my arms, logic and reason screamed no. Yet, here we sat, unable to deny any longer the way our hearts were pulled toward these children. All we had to do was say YES.”

Sophia San Filippo - Nov 25, 2020

‘Everything is going to be OK.’ The first time I saw him so small, I cried. He came nearly 3 months early.’: Mom raises awareness for National Preemie Month, ‘No one can prepare you for the NICU experience’

“Next came fierce determination. I was his mother, and I would do everything in my power to get whatever he needed to survive.”

Sophia San Filippo - Nov 25, 2020

‘You need a closed adoption.’ My mom was adamant. Suddenly, the world turned upside down. She’d kept the secret for 35 years.’: Adoptive mom finds lost long sister, ‘It was divine intervention’

“My cousin called, ‘Can you take care of my baby?’ I felt an instant connection. Our family was complete and our adoption story had a sweet closure. Or so I thought. It all came together in that shocking moment.”

Sophia San Filippo - Nov 24, 2020