ANCA.Spring.2017.Sept.19.final

LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR
Editor’s Notebook
Welcome to the Spring 2017 issue of Naturally Autistic. I and the staff of ANCA appreciate your
interest in this publication, and we hope you find much to enjoy in these stories by and for the
worldwide Autistic community.
This issue includes letters to the editor from readers from around the world, including Yesim Zorlu,
mother of Beril Zorlu, a young stage performer from Turkey at last year’s International Naturally
Autistic People (INAP) Awards. Articles in this issue include one from Vell Baria, 2016 INAP Award
Recipient for Performing Arts, on her experience performing with other musicians with Autism at
those Awards; another from ANCA World Ambassador Liz Pritchard, on the therapeutic effect of
her art; and a piece by Carol Holst, on the challenges a person with high-functioning Autism has
with a cross-country move with her family.
As always, we welcome your comments and story ideas. All of us at Naturally Autistic magazine
hope you enjoy this issue, and look forward to our next issue in Fall 2017.
—Bob Delaney
We are much blessed and
honored to be part of the Autism
festival, which became memorable
for this mother-daughter team.
Dealing with Autism, I never forget
that “God has a purpose” in my life,
which motivated me to be proud
of my Autism because it’s within me
and it will carry throughout my life.
In spite of such challenges with my
parents, especially to mom, in their
mind I am a strong person who is
highly supported with much love. Dealing with my struggles,
I was very edgy and serious about what I feel and
what I think, especially from other people’s points of view.
I never bothered myself with their feelings towards me, but
take it as if it’s nothing at all.
Hearing this ANCA organization is such a “mind blowing”
feel for both of us and it changed my life and my
being as a person with Autism. We also feel that we are
out of the nutshell as we get to know other delegates with
such amazing backgrounds as well. It is such a fantastic
feel that we can also listen to their stories, get along together
and even join the fun.
As one of the trade show exhibit members, I feel
blessed to have my way of having fan service in which all
of the delegates are the fans by having them signed in
the guestbook/dedication notebook to keep me motivated
in reaching my dreams and goals. This is a new way
of not just introducing myself in a basic manner, but also
my refined way of approaching them one-by-one and
sometimes by their approach!
I attended workshops made by the amazing workshop
presenters in which I was also one of the workshop presenters.
It was both touching and convincingly unforgettable!
If I were giving a chance to be part of the ANCA team,
I will be much honored to be part of it and to lend a helping
hand, especially they’re needing an in-house performer
for the succeeding Autism festivals. I can also take part
as an actress-director in an Autism-related film for awareness!
So just call my name and I’ll be there!
On behalf of my mom and myself, we sincerely thank
ANCA for motivating me to shine like a leader and giving
me the chance to share my expertise and skills for other
people to appreciate. This has also changed me as a
person dealing with the spectrum. I’m hoping for more opportunities
to work with ANCA as I go on.
Vell Baria
Vocalist, Actress, Songwriter, Advocate
Philippines
My name is Lawana Jones, and I
am the parent of a 28 year old Autistic
daughter named, Marsche.
We live in Rochester, New York USA,
and I am also the Founder & Executive
Director of The Autism Council
of Rochester. I first connected with
ANCA in Fall 2016, when I attended
my first INAP Awards in Vancouver,
BC. I was also nominated for the
2016 INAP Community Leadership
Award. The event changed my
life in many ways. First it gave me a renewed passion
and fire, to come home and continue with the work that
I have been doing in my own community over the last
ten years. Secondly I saw up close the love, pride, and
support amongst all of the attendees of the event, and
those of the worldwide Autistic community. And thirdly,
Leonora and Charlie made me feel that I am not alone in
the fight for my family member, and those in the community
that I advocate so strongly for on a daily basis. And
lastly, I was very encouraged to see so many government
officials and delegates from around the globe that
support the work of ANCA. This is extremely important
work that we do, and we have to ensure that the world is
aware of the many wonderful gifts, talents and love that
the Autistic community has to share.
Thank you Leonora and Charlie for creating ANCA
and opening my eyes beyond my own small community
12 | www.naturallyautistic.com