Confession Time…

I have a confession to make. I love watching superhero movies and tv shows. Marvel, DC- I enjoy them all. There’s just something I love about laying back with a bucket of buttery popcorn and a mojito and lose myself in the impossible, forgetting about reality and life for just a little while. I don’t really follow the stars of the show and celebrity news, though, so when I finally heard about Chadwick Boseman’s passing, I was shocked. King T’Challa dead? Please say it ain’t so!

Sadly, it was. For some reason, his death hit me hard. Before learning of his passing, I couldn’t tell you much about Boseman, but since then, I’ve watched the tributes and learned so much. It made me realize he was quite a role model and will be missed for way more than just his talent. One quote especially resonated with me. He said this in his speech to Howard University Graduates, praising them for a protest they had previously held:

“[Your purpose] is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about this particular quote. Not to get all existential, but what am I really here – at this particular time- to do? I honestly never thought that in my 40s, I’d be back home in Belize trying to figure this out. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve spent half of my life moving from one island to another looking for a new job in whatever area will have me. Every three or four years or so, we would move and I’d basically have to make a whole new life for myself. This move, though- this move is different. This one is supposed to stick. I came home to try to make a forever home for Mateo.

But why now? I guess that’s the question I keep asking myself. Why have I found myself in this particular place at this particular time. Some days, I sit back and watch Mateo interact with his cousins. They are teens, young enough still to enjoy playing water balloon fights and watching silly movies, but old enough to take the time to learn about Mateo, to engage him properly and interact with him. At these moments when I see how great they are with him, I think this is why. This why I’m here now at this time.

Autism Belize…

Then there are times after I have had a long conversation with an autism mom, after we share our struggles and give each other support and tips, that I wonder if maybe THIS might be the reason for why now. Since starting Autism Belize in April of this year, I’ve interacted in some way with over 70 special needs families. It might be only a WhatsApp chat or a FB Messenger conversation; some have attended a Parent/Teacher training and/or signed up to join Team Autism Belize after reading this blog. Some of them have regularly attended our Parent Support Group Meetings or check in with me via a phone call ever so often to update me on their child’s progress. Whichever way they’ve reached out and interacted, the fact is they have.

We now have about 20 autism moms and dads who are eager to be Autism Belize’s founding members as we work on getting Autism Belize registered as an NGO. These amazing parents are excited to do the work to help grow Autism Belize to help their children, yes, but just as importantly, to help other special needs families and special needs families-to-be. We all recognize that so much more needs to be done for those with special needs, but instead of just complaining, we want to do something.

Nation Builders…

September is our month to celebrate our Independence – 39 years strong. The Father of our Nation, George Cadle Price, addressed the Belize Men’s Meeting in 1962 and spoke of our Appointment With History. In this speech he claimed that there is no place for second class citizens. He spoke of uniting on common ground to build our nation. He said:

“Our emerging nation and its people have a right to expect us to rise to a new concept of patriotism in order to meet the challenge which the present and the future demand of us. The vision of a rich and happy future for our people should stir us to a greater united action.”

So honestly I believe the question shouldn’t be what is MY purpose at this specific time, but honestly what is OURs?

“And what is this appointment with history? To build a nation by searching out and finding some common ground, some common purpose that we have and on this foundation to build a strong house to withstand the floods of time.”

Honestly the way I see it is if we can come together, work together towards our goal of:

… working to build a strong and vibrant community of Autism and other Special Needs Families, Professionals working in the field, and Autism Champions and Supporters to help Teach Autism, Promote Awareness, Show Acceptance and Provide Support. A Belize that is educated and accepting of differences will be a stronger, kinder, transformed Belize.

Then maybe, just maybe, our special needs kiddos will be able to have the tools to fulfill their purpose in life…. Which maybe, just maybe, could be to become another great ‘Belizean Builder’.