Mrs Estella... Coming Off The Sidelines
Note: this post was pulled from our archives to highlight some of our Powerful Parents of Autism - as we celebrate International Women’s Month, 2019
For those of you who may have tuned-in during the 2018 Autism Awareness Month, you may remember our visit to New Mount Pilgrim M.B. Church with the students from our MUSIC n ME program. Now by all accounts, that day was all about King David. But, like every great King, there is a Powerful Parent Of Autism behind him - and in this case, that would be Mrs Estella Solid.
Mrs Estella has ben a member of The Answer Inc Family for the last 5 years. Shortly after last years Gala, our wonderful director Debra Vines, gave her some free tickets to the River Forest Community Center, as a small token of appreciation for lending a hand during the Gala. Originally just to create an outing for her and her children, Mrs Estella decided to put together a play date where other Answer Inc Family Members could bring their children as well, and everyone could enjoy the space. The event brought out 12 parents and about 15 kids, and based on the success of that event, The Answer Inc Powerful Parents of Autism was born. A new group within The Answer Inc Family dedicated to creating events for children under the age of 13.
Feeling good about her first move off the sidelines, Mrs Estella next found herself responsible for coordinating The Answer Inc's - 2018 Mothers of the Midwest Brunch. A great success in 2015 & 2016, and a heavily anticipated outing for all of her fellow Answer Inc mothers - not having it in 2017 created a need to ensure it's occurrence in this year. Being a mom herself, she understood the importance of being celebrated and acknowledged for the uniquely challenging work of raising a child with Autism, and she once again, stepped up and out of her comfort zone, making this one of our most successful brunches yet.
And now, with our 2018 Shining Stars for Autism - BLACK n WHITE Ball around the corner, Mrs Estella is once again, stepping up and out. She says that with this being one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, second only to our annual walkathon, she understands all too well that there is much at stake, and that she feels compelled to leave the familiar comforts of the sidelines.
In her newest roll as volunteer coordinator for the ball, she is inviting any and everybody to come off the sidelines with her and lend a hand. She wants you to know that any and all help will go a long way towards ensuring another successful event and if you are interested, you can reach her at estellasolid@gmail.com of find her on facebook. Conversely, we would like to thank Mrs Estella for stepping up of late and we implore you all to lend her that much needed hand.
Note: this post was pulled from our archives to highlight some of our Powerful Parents of Autism - as we celebrate International Women’s Month, 2019
