SPECTRUM SPOTLIGHT: featuring Daja
With so much going on around us, April is still World Autism Awareness Month, and we would be remiss, if we did not shine a light on some noteworthy members of The Answer Inc Family.
As a part of The Answer Inc’s Commitment to de-stigmatizing society’s opinion of persons with Autism & Other Developmental Disorders, our Spectrum Spotlight Series was created to shine a light on exceptional Children and Young Adults everywhere - who, in-spite of obvious limitations, are ever committed to living their best life.
And, in this episode of Spectrum Spotlight, Daja’s mom reminds us that once you get passed the denial, and get a clear sense of the work that lies ahead… “It will only work if you make it work.”
I hope her words below will inspire you… as we invite you to join the conversation, in the comments below.
My daughter, Daja Katie Blaydes, was diagnosed at the age of 3. This was such a shock to me, that for a short time, I was in denial. I told myself that since she hit all of the milestones: sitting up when she was supposed to, walking at 9 months, wasn’t drinking from a bottle, and all of the other things she should or should not be doing by the age experts suggest, I thought they must be mistaken. Once I came to terms with the diagnosis, I realized that it is a lot of work involved in helping your child to be their best self. And as i got into the flow of the doctors’ appointments, the specialist appointments, and the therapies… I came to grips with my truest reality that “It will work if you make it work.”
Now, my daughter, who was once a shy and quiet child, has blossomed into a very talkative 10 year old that has already decided that she will become a veterinarian, a math teacher, and a famous dancer.
Daja loves to dance! She often performs at church, for seniors confined to nursing facilities, in the annual Bud Billiken Parade, and with her competitive dance team. She has also been selected to attend Joffrey Dance Company Chicago summer dance - intensive program.
Daja is a part of The Answer Inc. family where she participates in Spectrum University, Music N Me exercise dance and nutrition program, as well as several recreational events throughout the year.
This episode of Spectrum Spotlight is brought to you by: The Answer Inc Dream Team.
