Loving someone rare...is not so rare!

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of participating at a local Black Business Expo. Not unlike most expos this too was intended to provide small businesses and entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their wares. Needless to say I was excited with possibility of showcasing Love Someone Rare! As a "vendor" and our first time having a table set I was afraid that not having tangible items for sale that many would not be interested in stopping by. To my surprise several people were kind enough to ask and actually stopped to listen to my spiel! Besides, who can resist receiving nuggets of wisdom and FREE hugs!

First, I digress...

Being a mom, a woman of color and raising a beautiful brown baby who happens to have special needs I don't often come across many other moms who look like me and raising a child with special needs too. Which is one of the reasons why I created the Love Someone Rare campaign to help raise awareness and educate the public on the rare and specific syndrome that Ayrian has; and, to also create a platform allowing for and creating a safe space to share, grow and learn from one another. By telling our story and bringing people along on our journey has been therapeutic for us; and, inspiring to others...two of the ingredients necessary in the formulation

of Love Someone Rare.

Now back to the Expo...

I was overwhelmed by the responses that I received in return like "My grandson is autistic"; "I have a nephew who has Down Syndrome"; "I know someone who I think should be tested". As a part of my conversation I talk a lot about how our black/brown babies, especially those living in impoverished communities, encounter so many disparities (education, health, income, etc.) compared to other racial/ethnic groups. For example, lack of access to services for African American (AA) children with autism, the quality of healthcare services AA children receive compared to non-minority groups, historical and contemporary inequalities (i.e. lack of insurance and fewer services offered by Medicaid providers). As we know autism is a psychiatric disorder, and with existing significant racial differences in the use of mental health services and treatment, African Americans are less likely to seek treatment. Then there are the "microinsults" that POC (people of color) encounter in their interactions with mainstream healthcare professionals - led to be believe that we are incapable for providing for our children. Which leaves us to feel that we have a deficit and unable to care for a disabled family member, made to feel personally inadequate, and powerless.

My family has been fortunate to have found an awesome team of doctors, specialists and providers to assist in Ayrian's care. However, it has also taken a lot of time, self-educating, and learning along the way and most importantly having an open mind to receiving the information given to us regarding her diagnoses. I am one mom who wants to help other moms find their voice, equip them with the tools necessary to navigating through the "system", and tips on how to do it without going insane! Trust, it is frustrating and can be overwhelming at times.

To the best of my ability I've made it my mission to help and inform other families and informing health care professionals along the way about the particular problems that black/brown families face. Until we get to a point where culturally competent educational programs designed to inform POC about treatment programs, services, etc. I will help lead the way.

For the longest I have used social media as way to share and lend a voice on behalf of our daughter - so having been afforded to opportunity to interface and connect with people face-to-face was so gratifying. Even though I didn't "sell" anything the gratification from the day was receiving the nods of agreement, feeling the empathy and compassion from others who may not have the same story but can relate to the book! Further confirmation that we are NOT alone!

If you have questions or would like talk email us at lovesomeonerare@gmail.com

Or if interested in joining us as an I Love Someone Rare ambassador you can order apparel and accessories at teespring.com/new-love-someone-rare and for kid t-shirts visit teespring.com/kids-love-someone-rare

Thanks in advance!

#LoveSomeoneRare #AustismAwarenessMonth #RSS #TinyandMighty