11/21/2025
Grief teaches you things you donโt expect, like how you can move with full intention even when you donโt realize it. Two years ago today, on my motherโs birthday, I decided to debut my DJ course publicly. Looking back, I see that the parts of her I cherished most were already guiding my mission and purpose without me even knowing.
She was an educator, a lover of children, an honest woman, & a steady supporter of the special needs community as a paraprofessional. Since her passing this August, I see how deeply her influence lives in what I am building. She is the epitome of what this program stands for.
A gracious referral opened the door for me to lead a DJ workshop for a school that prepares youth and adults with disabilities for independent living. Unbeknownst to the person referring me, I spent the prior two and a half years building onto this secret curriculum that I first drafted during the pandemic to keep myself on top of what I was learning and stay busy. It felt like fate as I learned more about the school, & I was welcomed with open arms.
I piloted the program during their summer session, and with the support of students and staff, it came to life. I officially debuted publicly on November 20, 2023.
Two years later, it has grown into crash courses, 1:1 mentoring, and new opportunities to teach related skills through various organizations. There is still so much more to build, but today I am proud. Proud to have her as my guiding force. Proud to honor her by believing in myself and pushing forward by any means. Proud to have the wherewithal to reflect and truly be proud.
Happy birthday, Mommy. I hope you feel this love in every move. Thank you for the inspiration ๐ซถ๐ฟ๐น๐๐๐
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