It is February 10th, 2018 and my son is almost four years old. When we started this journey for his speech development through the state he was almost two. Endless emails back and forth, unanswered calls, and one very pushy MoMa finally got us an appointment with a specialist today. Months and months of being handed off and put on hold for someone to tell us what we already knew- my son has a speech and comprehension delay (for reasons I will explain in my next blog post and we are already working through and overcoming). Frustration, guilt, worry, fear, and a sense of relief overwhelm my body as I create this post.
Let me start off by saying, I am a very private person. Yes. I post pictures for work and of my family, but what is it that you REALLY know about me? Nothing of substance Iâm sure. I tell you this because it is very challenging for me to put this to paper but if I am able to help others with my words, it is worth it for me to make myself an open book.
One night my girlfriends and I were sitting out on the patio watching our kids play and my friend turns to me and bluntly asks, âHave you gotten AJ checked for ASD? He doesnât talkâ.
Austism??? How could my son be autistic and I not see it? Have I been working so much that I didnât even pay enough attention to my kid to see that he may be on the spectrum? Is my love for him blinding me to the point where I am unable to see something like this going on? We all knew he was delayed in speech but I always told myself that some kids speak later than others. I went to bed that night and drowned myself in tears until my eyes were so swollen I had no choice but to fall asleep. I thought to myself, how am I going to afford this? I am not a millionaire but there are so many parents with much less...how do they help their children? How are we going to get through this? I felt completely helpless and alone- I didnât know where to start. Questions like who to even contact and how to start this process flooded my brain. Iâm supposed to be my sonâs protector, I am supposed to have the answers...and I have NO idea how to help him.
I woke up the next morning and screamed out loud, âF*** THIS!â. No parent should ever feel this way, EVER! I decided to stop feeling bad for myself and my son and do something about it. Every manifestor knows, if you don't like what's going on in your life, you need to start telling a different story.
Anyone who knows me will be the first to tell you, if Iâm going to do something Iâm going to do it BIG.
At the same time that this was all going on in my own home, my best-friend was preparing for a meeting with the school board. Her son is smarter than all of us reading this blog combined but struggles with dyslexia and dysgraphia. She showed me a binder bigger than the bible filled with paperwork for her son and was ready to fight for him to receive simple things (like extra time for test taking) with force. We talked, cried, and encouraged one another as mothers as we expressed our concerns and disappointments with the school system. She mentioned that she would love to start a charity for children in need of occupational and speech therapies because she was spending almost $200 a session for her son to receive extra help from therapists. Are you kidding me? What about the children with special needs who canât afford $200/session? They get thrown into the state programs which take months to get into and months to get help from and months to even receive notification that their files have been looked at. Again. F*** THAT.
And here is where Annette and I found our life purpose. If a child doesn't learn the way we teach them we don't punish the child; it is OUR responsibility as caregivers to teach the way they CAN learn. Every child has the capability to succeed and right to thrive!
The Universe put Annette, Janice, and I together for a reason- The Movers & Makers. Movers & Makers Inc. is a non-profit organization created by 3 moms on a mission to help children with diagnosed learning disabilities, developments, and delays. We are here to help fellow parents in Miami-Dade and Broward work through the systems and provide financial support to bridge the gap their kids need to succeed. Our goal is to minimize childrenâs "learning differences" and maximize their strengths by providing the services they really need and deserve.
Annette is an incredibly intelligent mother of two (who also struggled with dyslexia) with amazing ideas and the biggest heart. Janice, a mother of three, is a force of nature, a born leader, and an amazing children's advocate. The Universe works in such miraculous and incredible ways; Source brought us together so that with my loud voice, pushy attitude, crazy ideas, and passionate heart, along with these powerful, strong, intelligent women we could create (manifest) something so GRAND and necessary for so many children. We are happy to be the voice for children with special needs. We are ready to help.
Every child is different which means every child learns different. No child should be punished or left behind because they donât learn the way you teach them or at the rate society defines as normal. No child should be deprived of the extra attention they require because of funding. Not on our watch. Annette said something to me once and it rings in my ear everyday- âYOU have to be your childâs advocate because no one else willâ. With a little help, all kids CAN AND WILL SUCCEED.
We are ready Universe- bring it! Give us every child and parent in need of our help- we will walk alongside them and be their advocates too. We are looking for people with the same passion and drive. If you would like to donate your time or funding we would love you join the movement- The MoMa Movement.
If your child/children are in need of our services, please visit our website: www.MoversMakersKids.org. We are here to help, guide, and listen.
Please support our cause by following us on
Instagram: @moversmakersorg
Facebook: Movers & Makers Childrenâs Charity
Be on the lookout for MoMa Movement Method- classes MANIFESTED by The Mother Manifestor designed to help children find what makes them happy through dance, music, exercise, companionship, art, or meditation. Every class will teach children about positivity, optimism, self-love, and compassion for others. Each session will close with meditation exercises designed to give children the tools to take themselves out of any negative situation and into a state of peace and happiness. https://www.moversmakerskids.org/moma-method