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I find myself struggling to find people to highlight for Autism Awareness Month. Obviously, not because they don’t exist, but people living on the spectrum don’t really get interviewed or articles written about them. It comes down to what they write about themselves. Yet, people with autism are drawing cities they flew over once in a helicopter, playing Division I basketball, racing in Nascar and hosting podcasts. I think the world tends to focus on what is understandable versus what may require a little more energy and effort. I had to put some effort into finding articles about Ikea Juanita “Syance” Wilson, but it was worth it.

Ikea Juanita “Syance (because she loves science) Wilson is a young black woman who draws, plays the piano and was an A student in high school. The articles I managed to find about her are actually pretty old, from 2015. The one I did find was written by Ms. Wilson herself. She didn’t realize she could draw until she was thirteen years old and used drawing as a way to deal with bullying. Ms. Wilson is a self taught piano/keyboard player who sometimes composes her own music. She wrote that when she hears a song she sees colors and patterns that represents the pitch and the rhythm. How neat is that!

In the article, Ms. Wilson describes herself as an artist who has Autism. Yet, she was not aware of her Autism until her mother told her.  Hell, with all of the amazing things Ms. Wilson was accomplishing at such a young age, why would she think she had Autism? Going from being in special day classes to attending some classes with advanced placement, Ms. Wilson did not let her diagnosis become the focus. As before, I will allow you to read Ms. Wilson’s story in her own words.

The most up-to-date information I found on Ms. Wilson is that she graduated from California State University, Bakersfield  and was attending Inclusion Films at Bakersfield. Also, she appeared in Normal People Scare Me Too, a documentary about people living with Autism directed by an individual with Autism. It would be great to get an update of what Ms. Wilson is doing now. I guess the only way we will get it, is if she writes it.

If you know of anyone who could benefit from this post or any others, please share it with them. Stay well and whole. Much Love 💙🧩

April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism was given a DSM diagnosis in 1984. Over the years as more information and different signs emerged, the diagnosis changed to Autism Spectrum Disorder. I honestly have a very limited understanding of autism. I am not writing this post to inform you of any real facts about Autism. This Black Fact post is just to highlight an individual living with autism, Morgan Harper Nichols.

I first heard of Morgan Harper Nichols from an episode of Marie TV, a Youtube channel created by Marie Forleo.  Mrs. Nichols started as a college admissions counselor and went on to be a part of a band with her sister and her husband. She had always drawn and was encouraged by her father to continue to draw. The drawing was put on hold while she worked as a counselor and pursued her music career. A song she wrote and performed was featured in Bratz: The Movie.

Mrs. Nichols claim to fame after music was a poem she wrote out of frustration when faced with a lack of direction after quitting music. People connected with her and retweeted her poem over thousands of times. She has now written three books, All Along You Were Blooming, How Far You Have Come and Peace is a Practice. These books share stories, uplifting words and her own personal drawings. Mrs. Nichols also has an app called Storyteller by MHN and an online store called Garden24. You can find items created by Mrs. Nichols in Target Stores as well. On top of all that, she even has a podcast, The Morgan Harper Nichols Show. I am tired just listing her accomplishments.

Mrs. Nichols’ story is not only unique, but it is noteworthy. Why? Because she wasn’t diagnosed with autism until she was 31 years old, having spent her life knowing she was different. Even going to a doctor at 27 years old and being told she was fine. Once Mrs. Nichols received her diagnosis, the pieces began to fall in place. Yes, she would be considered high functioning on the autism spectrum from all of the accomplishments I have listed above, but that does not mean she did not have any struggles. I cannot tell her story better than she can, so I will not try to. Oh, I think I forgot to mention she has a blog. I am trying not to feel like an underachiever right now. Here is the blog post she wrote after officially being diagnosed. It is a pretty long read, but worth it.

https://morganharpernichols.com/blog/im-autistic

I follow Mrs. Harper on Instagram and I always feel so comforted by her words. She shines her light so bright you can’t help but to be drawn to it. People make so many assumptions about how disorders should look, how people should behave and seek to understand using comparisons. Just as we are all different, so are the disorders, illnesses and diseases we live with. Yes, there is textbook definitions, but we know those are bullshit when faced with people living with these disorders and their experiences. Mrs. Harper represents herself, a person living on the autism spectrum.

If you know of anyone who will benefit from this post or any others, please share it with them. Stay well and whole. Much Love 💙🧩

Let’s talk about a legacy, Ida Martin’s legacy. If I could leave half of a legacy as this special woman, I would be so humbled. Who was Ida Martin? Mrs. Martin was a wife, a mother, a daughter and a creator. She saw a need and she filled it. In 1987, Mrs. Martin started Bluffton Self Help, a non-profit organization, to assist working families and elderly people in the Lowcountry with food, clothing, shelter and emergency services. Bluffton Self Help started where most great ideas do, in her garage. It is now located in a 6,500 square foot building in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Mrs. Martin’s spirit of servitude even reached the ears of President Barack Obama. In 2011, he invited Mrs. Martin to the White House to award her with the Presidential Citizens Medal in honor of her work assisting families, disabled and elderly residents in her community. What an honor!

In 2012, Mrs. Martin founded the Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen. The soup kitchen serves hot meals twice a week, while also providing the community with fresh produce, meats and other food items to last throughout the week. Anyone who is in need can come and be served at Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen, no questions asked. Though the soup kitchen was started by Mrs. Martin, since her passing, it is ran by her daughter, Constance Martin-Witter.

How does the community, whose lives have been changed and uplifted by such a remarkable woman, honor her? They give her a day. A day to remember all the kindness Mrs. Martin spread in the world and to encourage others to live by her example. April 4th is Ida Martin Day. How else does the community honor Mrs. Martin along with her husband, Jacob Martin? They named a park after them. It is a really nice park that host the Farmer’s Market weekly, the town’s Christmas tree (as see above) and even wedding ceremonies.

Mrs. Ida Martin isn’t just a name, she is a legacy. She left behind two organizations that continue to serve the community and to grow with each passing year. Now, that is the type of legacy I want to leave! It’s not about having your own day or your name on a park, it is about the lives you touch, people you help and the uplifting of  people’s spirits. Mrs. Martin knew her God given mission and she stepped into it wholeheartedly.

Unfortunately, I did not get the opportunity to meet Mrs. Martin, but I continue to hear all of the wonderful stories about her. I also get to help out occasionally at the Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen, snapping green beans, peeling potatoes and Covid testing. I am happy to assist and help keep Mrs. Martin’s legacy alive. You can read more about Ida Martin at these links.

https://www.hiltonheadmonthly.com/people/intriguing-people/826-intriguing-people-ida-martin

https://www.wjcl.com/article/town-of-bluffton-names-new-park-after-founder-of-bluffton-self-help-ida-martin-and-her-family/29343133

Spread love and kindness on April 4th, just as Mrs. Martin did every day. And if you are in Bluffton, South Carolina, attend the festivities for Ida Martin Day. Here is a link with all the details.

Be well and whole. Much Love 🧡💚