I don’t feel like I’ve achieved many of my lifetime goals, but without doubt one of the things I am most grateful for is meeting and getting to know the wonderful team from Autism MATES. They have definitely stolen a piece of my heart.
There’s super cool Carlito with his hand made soap business and spiky hair. And Simon who works a day a week at Woolies at Eastgardens. He dreams for an extra shift a week. There’s smiley Jess who competed at the Special Olympics and the gorgeous Teo who went to LA for a modelling job and also appeared in the ABC series Love on The Spectrum. These young people living with autism all have dreams like you or I. But life tends to stamp on their dreams, Because they don’t fit in a cookie cutter mould.
They have taught me more than most. That our young people on the spectrum have so much to offer and that paying lip service/me posting about it, really does nothing. It’s time for real and practical implementation. That means resourcing our schools and training our teachers. It means businesses giving our young people on the spectrum employment opportunities and the chance to show that they can and will rise to the occasion if only given a chance. Parents leading through example so our children will stand up for their friends on the spectrum in the playground.
When I met Randa – the Wonder Woman who started this charity – she told me of her beautiful boy Richard – and of his lonely life in the schoolyard (it will make you cry). Richard went throughout school being bullied and without a single friend. She never blamed the other children, instead she wondered how to make these very children agents of change. It’s society which needs to see more people who are different, turning it from “autism awareness” to “autism inclusiveness”. Let’s give those on the spectrum a voice. Make them school captains, let them be speakers at assembly, models on the catwalk, prefects in the library.
Today was about not only celebrating our first @autismmate awards but raising money to reach Randa’s next goal of a café where our young people on the spectrum can learn hospitality skills, gain employment and also have a place to hang out.
She’s a powerhouse & won’t take no for answer! I look forward to keeping you all updated.
UPDATE September 25, 2021:
It is with great sadness our beautiful Jess Disalvo gained her angel wings after her mother called her home. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with the beautiful Jess in my role as ambassador for the wonderful Autism MATES and her light shone so brightly it was utterly infectious. Her smile, her energy, her beauty radiated on the inside and out. It is hard to imagine the world without her beautiful smile in it, although her light will shine for all eternity. Rest In Peace beautiful, joyful, vivacious girl. You will be missed @jessicadisalvo
Here are some beautiful highlights of just a few of Jessica’s shining moments. Fly high beautiful angel.
