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from page 9 In preparing for this, we come up with the idea of sharing our personal struggles, achievements, and other interested things what will fit into the Autism community’s experiences and also planned for what our workshop would look like as we come up with a special workshop that will catch the attendees’ attention. In my part, I connect on what Joely presented. In the interactive part, I was soon inspired by Joely after admitting that mine was a “sore cheap” since it’s my first time doing the workshop, especially presenting it on a world stage where she is giving such words of advice and suggestions to fix my workshop. I then did the rest, especially including the music etiquette in my workshop to share my words of advice as a performer. Working with Joely became a memorable one where she displayed her outspoken and forthright personality as she shared her struggles and accomplishments with much convincing force of sincerity. This would remind other people with Autism of their own experiences with struggles and accomplishments in life in which I was also related in some areas of her experiences. Doing this workshop is just like mentoring those people who are eager to learn and to share! Not only that, it was also my chance to share what observations and future visions that I have in mind as they listen. Thus, this was a dream come true to me after thinking deeply of being a mentor to the community who is in need of much understanding of the spectrum. Much to my happiness, I will feel free to continue being a beloved mentor to the community. Let’s see what Joely has to say about our collaborative moments: “I am blessed to have worked alongside Vell for many months prior to our first meeting at the World Autism Festival, where we both hosted <strong>ANCA</strong>’s first ever Bilateral Workshop on the World Stage, called “Spread your Wings: The Art of Self Expression and Autism Activism.” We both have so much passion for Autism Advocacy/Activism, and self-expression, so that when we were emailing each other to create our workshop for the first time, our imaginations flew away. It was a pleasure to get to know Vell, who is an inspiring “all singing, all dancing,” Autism Advocate and role model for others, we worked very well together as a team. We inspired and learned from each other, and together we worked hard to refine our ideas, to create a two-hour interactive workshop. We had a “We are Autism United” jigsaw flag, where participants were encouraged to express their voice onto jigsaw pieces about what could help their country’s Autistic community, and what they like about their Autism. This was therapeutic and insightful activity that was enjoyed, and informative, for all. Another popular activity was our “Disable the Autism Label T-shirt,” where our participants learnt that no matter what the labels of Autism are, those labels do not define us as people. We took our literal Negative label off of our T-shirt, to reveal the positives of Autism written on the T-shirt underneath. Then, everyone enjoyed expressing their voice onto the T-shirt, about why they like their Autism and the positive quirks within their disability. Together we brought Autistic people together to see the positives within Autism, but also, to understand that they too can be activists in kindness, by expressing their voices through their own passions–or specific narrow interests. With a speech about <strong>ANCA</strong>, empowerment to express our hidden voices, Activism, and Autism quirks, from me, and Vell’s intricate insight into musical etiquette and Autistic people’s roles within the musical industry, our workshop was a fantastic success. Many tears were shed, personal stories of success and empowerment were shared, fascinated silences embraced our audience with our speeches, and hopeful smiles glowed throughout, as everyone chatted and participated in our activities. We have come home with memories and friends for life. Thank you everyone, who made it possible. Joely Colmer, 2016 INAP Award Recipient for Community Achievement and <strong>ANCA</strong> World Ambassador, Autism Activist- Advocate. Postlude As an award recipient, it was my first time winning this international award, especially to inclusive Autism audiences worldwide and to non-Autistic people who witnessed the awards night. Much to their realization, those people who made such judgements and doubts of my abilities and those who didn’t believe in my achievements before were in awe and speechless following my achievement. I’m also the first nominee for the performing arts in my home country and an awardee recipient in performing arts, too. This is a major first in the Philippines to have a first win in the performing arts category. In spite of my condition, I started to realize that I was able to pull off my butterflies in my stomach as I received this award with much honor and glory for my fellow country people, in which I began to win such hearts of people following the win. As <strong>ANCA</strong>’s World Ambassador, I received much praise and motivation from the <strong>ANCA</strong> community alike especially from my batch mates in this last year’s Autism festival. As an ambassador, I started to think to act like a president since I have so much plans in mind that I am greatly interested in sharing those plans, like giving both a general solo concert and fundraising concert were I perform pop and classical music along with artists with Autism for the community and to compose more songs. I also loved to speak to the Congress and Senate about Autism awareness. As my career as a workshop presenter continues, I also love to visit special schools and present my workshops and collaborate with experienced workshop presenters. If ever I have such theater plays I’m in, I would like to share it to the community and that will be another and different way of promoting arts to the Autism community as they wanted to learn and discover something new in the performing arts. Encore What have I learned so far as a festival delegate, awardee and ambassador? If you have something to share, show it. Harvest and command with it and it will come out as time goes by that people will feel and notice with much motivation. To gain such support, parents will be happy if their child with Autism is always ready to lead other fellows in the spectrum to the right path and it will go farther than expected to reach their freedom of success. • www.naturallyautistic.com | 11
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