I Wear Blue For My Autistic Daughter
On this episode of Dad Is Not A Noun Podcast I had the opportunity to talk to Eddie Sanchez who shared his parenting experience raising an Autistic child.
Once upon a time, in the midst of the everyday hustle, our lives took an unexpected turn when our daughter came into the world. From the start, we knew she was special. Little did we expect she would take us on a journey that would change our views and awaken a passion we never knew existed. Our daughter, who at the time was completely non-verbal with a spirit as vibrant as the colors of the rainbow, was diagnosed with autism, speech delay, and developmental delay at the age of three. Suddenly, we found ourselves thrust into a world filled with uncertainty and confusion. We turned to professionals for guidance, we relied on organizations and institutions we thought would help our daughter. Yet, as our journey progressed, we realized that understanding autism was more challenging than we expected. In the initial year, throughout the early intervention phase, we felt secure and thought it was best to trust the system and follow their advice. Nina was happy, and then she wasn't. Subsequently, as we prepared for the transition to public elementary school, we faced system challenges, leading to unmet support promises and jeopardizing our daughter's well-being. During the initial months, our daughter's move to elementary school was filled with emotional turmoil. She struggled to adapt, she was coming home with bruises, her behavior reflecting the instability and inconsistency of the school. She experienced meltdowns, shutdowns, and night terrors, which left us feeling powerless and defeated.
Despite the chaos, we relied on our instincts and refused to settle for the existing situation. We knew something was not right, and we needed to document our concerns and experiences thoroughly. A crucial moment came when we understood the importance of standing up for our daughter and speaking out for her rights. When our concerns were being dismissed, we stayed consistent and persistent and pushed back. We called out and made sure the people who were involved knew that we were not going quietly. We realized that we, as her parents, were her fiercest advocates, her unwavering champions in a world that often failed to understand her. Through each challenge we faced, we gained valuable insights and built connections with individuals who shared our vision for a more inclusive society. With determination and resilience, we set out on a mission to share our experiences of raising a child with autism, shed light on the realities, and empower others to speak up in tough times.
As a result, Neuroverse Expressions ( https://linktr.ee/neuroverseexpressions?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaadTrKyM6O17kCmJtDo1gi46iEr0ZthtDTXtxLYjXzl858udyD8NxEysqg_aem_AdlKEb8APsMMyOSKZBh3fqLujABWdzaoclagGEccHQ9GEfT87T-kc6XFMTLyfya7trIvf7cb12bhZYt_NhasYOCP) came to life as a beacon of hope in challenging times, originating as an idea where our journey inspired others. Through our unique designs and heartfelt stories, we seek to raise awareness about autism and promote acceptance and understanding within our communities. Our vision extends beyond mere apparel; it encompasses a movement—a collective effort to build a world where every individual is embraced with love and respect. We dream of creating a safe haven—a sanctuary where families could come together, share their triumphs and tribulations, and find solace in the company of like-minded spirits.
