March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) in the United States. It is a time dedicated to raising awareness about developmental disabilities, celebrating the achievements of individuals with these disabilities, and advocating for their rights and needs.
Simone Gordon touches lives in various spaces and places, including at home and in the community. Gordon knows what it is like to care for an autistic child and help others despite what she faces herself.
“My son (Jay) is the most loveable kid ever despite being nonverbal with severe autism,” said Gordon, speaking about her 15-year-old son.
Gordon said that his diagnosis was made after he lost his ability to speak at two years old, but Jay flapped his hands instead. After Gordon’s parents observed Jay, his mother took him to a pediatrician. She was informed that her son may have autism spectrum disorder.
The devoted mother shared that she must feed Jay and take care of his hygiene needs daily.
She added, “I am his voice to the world.”
Gordon is accustomed to juggling work demands, Jay’s therapy appointments, school meetings, and providing daily care routines for her only child. She mentioned various challenges parents of autistic children can face, including not having flexible work options.
“Many employers do not offer flexible schedules or remote work options, making it difficult to attend medical or therapy sessions,” Gordon explained.
More obstacles that Gordon mentioned include:
Financial Strain
Extra costs for specialized care, therapy, and adaptive equipment can be significant. Many parents must fight for insurance coverage or financial assistance.
Emotional and Mental Health
The stress of advocating for services, being a single parent, dealing with school systems, and managing meltdowns or medical needs can take a toll on mental health, according to Gordon.
Limited Support System
Many parents feel isolated, especially if family members or friends don’t fully understand their child’s needs.
Navigating Resources and Services
Finding the right support, programs, and financial aid can be complex and time-consuming.
Despite Gordon’s parenting journey that can become overwhelming at times, the advocate and mother has been changing the lives of many through her work as “The Black Fairy Godmother” for the last nine years. Gordon, a community organizer and social justice proponent, created a nonprofit to help Black and Brown marginalized families in need. The foundation uses the power of networking, social media and influence to connect families in need with people who can help.
“I earned the title “The Black Fairy Godmother” by assisting a Maryland family in 2017 that was on the verge of eviction and I was able to raise $1,000 to stop the eviction the same day on social media. The woman (Teresa W.) gave me the title “The Black Fairy Godmother” because I was granting many mothers wishes on Facebook that needed emergency assistance with food, housing, domestic violence and education,” said Gordon.
Gordon was inspired to start giving back to others in 2017 because four strangers decided to write to a children’s hospital to request that Jay not be put on a waiting list, and to receive therapy and medical supplies. Additionally, a generous couple provided help for Gordon’s college tuition to be paid so that she could return to school.
“I returned back to school and graduated college at age 35,” she added.
The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation became a 501(c)(3) in December 2020. Gordon has transformed lives by using social media and community engagement to provide immediate aid and long-term support to those in need. For example, support is provided to women, families, and children in times of crisis by providing one-time grants of funds or goods. Online wish lists have been provided to help anonymous teenage mothers, veterans in need, seniors, and others. Rental assistance, car expenses, legal expenses, or evictions are excluded from support offered by the Black Fairy Godmother Foundation’s areas of help.
Gordon keeps helping other people despite the hard work of raising money and finding fairy angel sponsors.
“I only sleep two to three hours a day with 30 volunteers to help manage the foundation and be a caregiver to my son. I feel as though I must do this work because so many state, local offices are not doing their job by serving people in need,” said Gordon.
Individuals seeking help must fill out an application online and provide supporting documentation. Donations to help others are being accepted to enable Gordon to lend a hand to more people who have reached out to have their lives brightened by a fairy godmother.
Learn more about ways to support the Black Fairy Godmother Foundation by visiting https://lnk.bio/theblackfairygodmotherofficial. Read general information about the organization via www.theblackfairygodmother.org.