Extra!! Extra!! Read all about it!! The city OF Newark is lighting it up blue on
april 2nd for world autism awareness day!!!!!
April 2nd. April
2, 2014 is going to be a monumental day in the city of Newark. Why? Well, the city officials in Newark have
decided to participate in the Light it Up Blue Campaign of Autism Speaks!! Autism Speaks is the global voice that is on the
forefront of urging our government and the private sector to listen to the concerns
that advocates and family members (like myself) have about autism and actively works
to address the concerns of the ASD community as a whole.
Community. Community
is the key word because it represents us all.
Each and every person affected by ASD.
That includes urban families that are fighting to get support for their
loved ones on the autism spectrum. Hence,
AS fights for people like my son, who reside in the city of Newark and all
other ASD families that that call Newark home as well.
When I
reached out to Liz Feld (President of AS) last year, I did not even think that
she would have remembered me. I had met
her at an event the year before and I took her card and told her that I would
stay in touch. But, I did not – for MONTHS.
Once again, you ask why? Simply
because I (like many other families that struggle to get services for their
family members with ASD) was so tired of fighting and consistently trying to
get services for my son, tired of “explaining” why my son needed services and SO
VERY tired of worrying about the inevitable – what is going to happen to him after he turns 22. Oh 22.
That golden age. The age that
typically developing young adults have graduated from their post-secondary
education, trying to get their “first” professional jobs and possibly moving
out on their own. Well, I did say
typically-developing, BUT since my son has autism, his path will inevitably be
very different. I deduce that to mean that
my walk will somewhat continue to be the same as it has been. I will have to continue to be his guardian, care-taker, advocate, financial-advisor and
all-around protector for as long as he needs me – which can quite honestly mean
the rest of my life. Not, that I am complaining, I am truly
blessed to have had my son. I just know
that my life’s path will always include taking care of my adult-son. But, this is my walk. Up until I met Liz – I truly felt that the needs
of the urban child/adult with ASD were a non-issue in the disability
community. People just di not seem to
care. But, she connected with me initially
AND when I got up the nerve to reach out to her late last year, she immediately
re-connected
with me and I knew then that I found my ally – Autism Speaks. No longer did I have to feel isolated and
alone or tired of explaining what I was experiencing with my son. Liz said that Autism Speaks would support me
and other families like mine that reside in Urban American. For me, that meant Newark – my city, was part
of the AS family. Newark, the city I
grew up in and continue to live in, work in and continuously offer support to other
families that have loved ones on the spectrum as well in. Yes, Newark, New Jersey!
We had not
been forgotten. I no longer had to feel
that my concerns fell on deaf ears.
LIUB. They
say, “from those to much is given, much is expected.” That being said, I knew I had to pay it
forward. AS allowed me to go to Washington
in November to make my voice heard to congress, just as a Newark mom advocating
for the needs of my son. I was allowed be
in the company of ASD “heavy-hitter” advocates, like the Wrights’ who founded
the organization. Realistically, I would
have probably never had an opportunity like that in my life. But, they chose me to come and for that I am
eternally grateful. So, when Shelley Hendrix, Director of Grassroots Development for AS,
reached out to me and charged me with rallying
the troops to see if I could get my town to participate in the 2014 LIUB
campaign – I knew that I had to do it.
Shelley, can
absolutely light the fire under anyone.
Remember, I was already tired of my requests falling on deaf ears and
really did not think that I was the “right” mom for the job, but she is
“AUSOME” and she coached me through it and after many emails and
discussions, I said okay I would give it a try.
I would reach out to the administration of Newark City Hall.
After a few
failed attempts and many follow-up calls, Shelley contacted me last week and
said that she had received word from Newark officials that they will light up Newark City Hall! I could not help but squeal when I
heard! Once again you ask why? Simply because it is something that I
honestly never believed would happen. I
just did not think enough of the “right” people cared enough to push it through
and bring it into fruition. But, I was
wrong. Just like Liz said to me in our
first meeting, “YOU ARE NOT ALONE.” People do actually get it and they know
that ALL people on the spectrum need to have their voices heard – even those in
urban America like the city of Newark.
All I can say
is that I feel that this is the start of a beautiful collaboration and I AM
SO VERY HONORED and GRATEFUL TO HAVE PLAYED AN INSTRUMENTAL PART OF IT. For the first time in a long time, it
truly feels great to “win” at something.
I am so excited to see my City Hall “reppin” blue on April 2nd! We have a long way to go with growing autism
awareness, but I must say that this is a wonderful start! I will be wearing blue so very proudly
because I know what it means to me. I am
a MOM WARRIOR, but not just for my son, but all people, young and old, that
live with autism and all mental disabilities.
I will not accept that people with ASD will not be provided the
opportunity live their BEST LIFE!!! They
have the right to have the best quality of life that they can have – just like
every other typically developing adult.
Until then, I will tirelessly advocate for them. I will advocate for them until I take my last
breath. Thank you Autism Speaks. I
guess it is true that to much is given, much
is expected. Hope I made you
proud. See you April 2nd!!
Nakeishia
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