AMAB
OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2020
ISSUE #12
AUTISM MOMS ARE BEAUTIFUL
ritny b e celditio e
SYLEENA JOHNSON JOHNSON
AMAB Editor-in-Chief  Nichole Wilson
Lead Advisor Associate Advisor Associate Advisor Associate Advisor Associate Advisor Associate Advisor Creative Director Managing Editor Style Editor
Haley Ahart-Keiffer Donna Shatara Porche Maria Merrick Marta Brain Jean TenBrink Quincy Cole Nichole Wilson Sindu Alakot Nichole Wilson
AUTISM MOMS ARE BEAUTIFUL
P.O. Box 841428 Pearland, Texas 77584 amabmagazine@gmail.com Autism Moms please join the Private Facebook Group: Autism Moms Are Beautiful with Nichole Wilson https://www.facebook.com/groups/autismmomsarebeautiful/ AMAB Magazine, Autism Moms Are Beautiful Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/amabmagazine/ Follow us on IG: @autism_moms_are_beautiful amabmagazine@gmail.com www.amabmagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES PLEASE EMAIL AMABMAGAZINE@GMAIL.COM
SYLEENA JOHNSON PHOTO CREDIT: TONY TYUS PHOTOGRAPHY
TABLE OF CONTENTS 04
Editor's Note Nichole Wilson Founder
19 Jess Wessel-Borgic A Moment with Jess Autistic Mama
23
Zalyn's Boulevard Beauty & Fashion Segment
32
Confessions of an Autism Mom
07
Dominique Hammons The Power is in the Violin
20
BreAnn Robinson Autism Challenges & Purpose
27
Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. Autism Dad's Rock
33
Maria Merrick I Sued My Autistic Son
39
Gayle Fisher What does "Desiderata" say about a graphing calculator?
13
Syleena Johnson Family is Everything
22
Decaf Segment Let it Out Autism Moms
31
Marta Brain A Moment with Marta Autistic Mama
37
Renee Graziano Positive Mindset
Editor's Note
Photo and MUA: Marc Harvey Our Fall 2020 issue is all about music and the arts! Our goal is to inspire all of our readers and motivate them to do what makes them happy and never give up on their dreams. We at Autism Moms Are Beautiful are thankful for your emails on what you would like to see and read in our Magazine. We are excited to have Autism Mom, Syleena Johnson grace the cover and share her love with us. Autism Moms and Dads are filled with so much talent and love. We want them to share their gifts with the world. Sharing the expressions of Autism Moms and Dads, while guided with love, brings happiness to everyone here at AMAB. We must continue to stay strong for our little ones. By doing this, we let everyone know that Autism Moms Are Beautiful and we Rock the Universe!
Nichole Wilson
VIGOROUS
MODEL: GISET KING PHOTOCREDIT: POINT AND CLICK PHOTOGRAPHY
"There is in every child at every stage a new miracle of vigorous unfolding, which constitutes a new hope and a new responsibility for all." ~ Erik Erikison
Micetyro Music www.micetyromusic.com micetyromusic@gmail.com MicetyroMusic is a professional audio and live streaming recording facility located near Downtown Houston. MicetyroMusic was founded in 2011 by Quincy Cole as an Independent Record Label Specializing in Urban Alternative Music: Funk/R&B/Soul/Inspiration/Jazz Genres/Blues/HipHip/Rap The mission is to provide endorsements for local artists and create sounds that will transcend generations while remaining current. The vision is to provide a vehicle for independent artists to "Master the Arts With Class". Micetyro Music believes in influencing the music community while creating timeless music, educate aspiring musicians and deliver breath-taking performances.
NW: When you are feeling down and in need of something or someone to motivate you, what do you do? DH: When I am down and in need of motivation, I always go to music. Music has always been a type of therapy for me during my life. I know that music is something I could always count on whenever I'm down. Music usually takes me out of reality and puts me in a whole other dimension. Every time I pick up my violin, it gives me something that most things in life can't give me. It gives me a sense of security and comfort to where I have no worries about anything. NW: If you could be anywhere right now where would it be? DH: If I could be anywhere right now, it would be New York City, due to the fact that I've never been. I've heard so many great things about New York City pertaining to the music industry. It's always been a goal to visit New York City and network with other artists because I feel like it would catapult my career to a different level. I've also wanted to experience the city, because I love a variety of different cultures, which I know New York City is the mecca for multiple cultures. NW: Please give some encouraging words to our Autism Moms and Dads to continue pursuing their dreams and never give up? DH: While playing the violin, I used to always get many adults tell me how they wished they would've stuck to playing the violin when they were young. After seeing me perform, it reminds them of what they could have possibly had if they kept playing the violin. The first thing I tell them is that it is never too late to pick it back up. I also believe that whatever you do in life, you have to make sure you love it. If you don't love what you do, you will never be able to live life to its fullest. If you have dreams, go get it. If you have kids that have dreams, invest in them and push them. Everyone needs that push during their journey. You never want to give up on your dreams, because you don't want to leave yourself with the question, "What If?"
The WithMerci Foundation provides advocate services and support to families of children with disabilities and special needs.
https://www.withmerci.org
I love being around my kids but when I need my peace, my husband and I do movie nights. We actually like to go during the day and fall asleep. The movies here are dinner and a movie all in one. The kids move around all day. When we can get away, we take it. My husband is really hands on. The good news is my sons are daddies boys. My husband and I are best friends and we like all the same things. NW: Please tell us the inspiration behind your latest album, "Woman"? SJ: “Woman”..Inspiration behind it to highlight how women are being disrespected in this country and the whistle is being blown on that. We are sick of the sexual abuse and the fact that we have to deal with so much disrespect. I feel there is a lack of communication. My album is the voice of one woman and many women. We do the same thing in the morning, your job, my job. This does not separate us. When we wake up we share the same difficulties and dilemmas because it’s all relative, cohesive and the voice of many different women to bridge the gap and the lack of communication between men and women. NW: What inspiration or encouraging words can you give parents raising children on the Autism Spectrum? SJ: One thing that gets me through the day is that my child is not different but special. Kingston is my child and everyone is not like him. This is the beauty of Autistic children as none of them are the same. They are special, they are catered towards being angels. I want Autism parents to know that God chose you as the caregivers of these angels here on earth. They are angels. During those times that it is hard and tough we must stay positive and along with those behaviors we must handle them right by putting them in the right situation to fly or grow. God has given us strength with our children. Don’t beat yourself up about it and rely on God. Do what you can do to take care of your child. Spend time with your child because they know and can feel your love.
WOMAN ALBUM IS OUT NOW!! https://www.syleenamusic.com/
Photo Credit: Tony Tyus Photography
Maxwell's House Of Abilities is a Nonprofit 501(c)3. Our mission is to support those on the Autism spectrum and their families by offering and or finding funding for services such as Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, ABA Therapy and childcare for those with ASD. Our goal is to ultimately alter the perception of those on the Autism spectrum in our community, by helping them shine the light on their abilities, while simultaneously dimming the light on their disabilities. We also offer a classroom environments catered to the individual learning needs of those that come to our center. Along with offering life skills to help them feel fulfilled and have a sense of purpose to thrive in life.
https:/
Maxwell's Closet Resell Shop 3303 FM 1960 West suite 100 Houston TX 77068 Monday-Friday 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Saturdays 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
https://www.maxwellshouseofabilities.org Contact Information: 832-447-7576 Maxwellshouseofabilities@gmail.com
AUTISM MOMS ARE BEAUTIFUL
ZALYN'S BOULEVARD BEAUTY AND FASHION SEGMENT
“IMAGINATION IS EVERYTHING. IT IS THE PREVIEW OF LIFE'S COMING ATTRACTIONS.” ― ALBERT EINSTEIN
"A movement created for a woman who works hard for the life she wants, while striving to maintain herself emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. Grind Pretty connects its audience with business experts, influencers and other entrepreneurs, in efforts to motivate women to build their own empires."
https://grindpretty.com/pages/about-grind-pretty
Autism
Don
Miguel Ruiz Jr.
Dad's Rock
Interviewed by: Nichole Wilson
Miguel Ruiz Jr. is an Autism Dad who Rocks! He has written some phenomenal books. I was going through a difficult time last year and was thankful for his book, "The Mastery of Self". This book is the epitome of love and compassion. Anyone who reads from it is going to be left with an innate sense of peace and acceptance. I am excited to share this interview with all of our AMAB supporters. Nichole Wilson: How old was Alejandro when you recognized he was unique? Miguel Ruiz Jr.: A few months before his second birthday. When we began to see a distant look in his eyes, running around in circles with an incredible amount of energy, repetitive behaviors, banging his head in the crib, meltdowns, sensitivity to certain noises, lining things in order and in sequence, among other things. NW: How did you feel when your child was diagnosed with Autism? MRJ: I felt depressed, something similar to mourning the loss of a beloved. The future was gray, and I felt helpless because I didn’t know what I was doing. All I had was the little information and stereotypes that were available to us in the mid 2000’s. NW: How do you and your wife find the balance? MRJ: I see it as “all hands on deck!”, we work as a team. We balance each other by listening to one another, being considerate of one another, and we do our best not to project onto each other any frustration or assumptions. Giving each other the common courtesy to process things in our own unique way is incredibly important, but our love for one another is what gives us strength. It is so easy to forget about each other, just like forgetting any other member in the family when we are so focused on our Son. So holding space for one another is based on the
“Without awareness, our domestication and attachments blur our perception. Recognizing both allows us to clear the fog and see the truth of the present moment.”
― Miguel Ruiz Jr., The Mastery of Self: A Toltec Guide to Personal Freedom
A moment with Marta fabulous autistic mama
"I grew up in a musical household. Both of my parents had majored in music in college and so it was a huge part of growing up for me. I remember my dad constantly bringing home new and unique pieces of music...it might be Celtic one day and Peruvian the next. This really gave me a huge appreciation for many genres of music. I also grew up singing with my family...we sang a cappella and hearing all of the moving parts of melodies and harmonies intertwining touched me deeply. Singing in an ensemble is still my favorite. Reading was also huge growing up. My mom read to my siblings and me up until I was in high school. We loved it and each night begged her to read more. She is the one who fostered my love of reading. I also read voraciously on my own. Music and reading helped me to cope growing up. I often immersed myself into another world while listening to music or reading a book and I’m passing these traditions on to my children today. Being able to escape reality into the pages of a good book can lift the spirit...likewise, music has always helped me to be able to express the emotions locked deep inside that I struggled to express. Music bonds us, binds us, surrounds us and permeates through our beings...connecting us with everyone and expressing what words can’t say. Books offer an escape into a reality completely different from our own. It allows us to do and feel things we might not normally be able to express. Freedom can be found on the pages of a book and in the melody of a song. They trigger memories and allow for healing. I will always be grateful to my parents for fostering my love of reading and music! They have impacted my life in so many positive ways!!!"
Marta Brain
Confessions of an Autism Mom
Covid 19 is really causing some problems. Virtual schooling is hard, and no one understands I can't work from home. When I ask for help, no one wants to assist me or provide me with support. I continue to pray everyday! Share your thoughts with us at amabmagazine@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for spaceand clarity. All submissions become the property of AMAB Magazine.
I SUED MY AUTISTIC SON As his lifelong caretaker and mother, you have given up certain career paths and sacrificed decades of employment advancement and opportunities, thus putting you in an inequitable position economically perhaps and you know that you must be there as a forever mom; there will be no empty nest syndrome with an autistic child. All transitions with an autistic child are hard. It is no different when they turn 18. Gaining guardianship is a must and yes, it will be hard. But God chose warriors to be autism moms, so here is a flash of the future for preparation: He is now 18 but still has a lifelong disability that prevents him from ever obtaining gainful employment or living independently. He receives $708 in SSI. He requires a team of 22 caregivers, teachers, para-professionals and professionals, someone 24/7, to care for him including you. He cannot perceive danger, nor can he speak, but he is an adult in the eyes of the law. He has an ARD approaching and you can no longer sign on his behalf because the law says he is an adult. The school understands but they have rules and laws they must abide by-too bad, you must sit in the meeting and listen only. You can no longer access his bank account to pay his bills because he is no longer a minor. You are now faced with a problem that even the Attorney General cannot fix. First, you must gain guardianship of your special needs child. This is a complex, emotionally, and financially painful endeavor that must begin immediately after the child turns 18, not before. You must seek out a probate attorney and then, you literally must sue your child. You must have him served papers. You must go before a probate judge and face interrogation by your child’s ad lightem court-appointed attorney. Once a judge grants you as guardian after an additional background check, you must make annual reports, document visits and report to the state guardianship case manager. You must request and pay for new papers every year and then distribute to each of your child’s case managers. Your child no longer has voting privileges nor is he able to enter into contracts, buy or own property or sign medical waivers; you are his voice. You will always be his voice.
maria merrick
www.waynestreetlive.com
At Wayne Street Live we understand the power of high-quality content for independent artists. With the help of Micetyro Music, we are able to capture audio and video while live streaming. After the artist's session, we mix and post their session for purchase so even after their session has ended their fans have the opportunity to support.
PULL UP!
Say Yes to You
Say Yes to You
Say Yes to You
Say....
YES to you!
“Shrug off the no’s – they are temporary. This is your world. In your world there is only yes.” ― Jolene Stockman, Total Blueprint for World Domination