Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Hayes.
Hi Katrina, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I tell people all the time I’m a Brooklyn gal residing in North Carolina.
I’m the mother and sister of individuals with autism. My son is a teenager who was initially diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) and then later diagnosed with Autism. My brother, who is an adult, was diagnosed with Autism. So, Autism has played a major role in my life for a very long time.
Since I can remember, I’ve always been the type of person who was willing to stick up for someone when they were wronged or needed help. So, it was only natural that I began attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings with my mother for my brother.
My mother is a retired Corrections Officer with Rikers Island Jail in New York. At times, she would work 16-hour shifts which did not include her travel time (to and from work). That type of schedule didn’t leave much room for the energy that’s required to prepare and stand resolute in an IEP meeting. That’s where I stepped in and really started honing my advocacy skills.
Being the sibling of an individual with Autism and shifting to being a mother of an individual with Autism is totally different. I had no idea what my mother was going through until I myself became the mother of an individual with Autism. What I didn’t know was, despite people telling me otherwise, I was in for a journey of unconditional love, self-discovery, and evolution.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The journey has been far from a smooth road. As a woman of color, the road has been paved with discrimination and disappointments all while having to sit with it while being conscious.
When I moved from New York to North Carolina, I was not prepared for the barbaric thinking that goes along with discrimination or how petulant certain individuals can be.
Surprisingly, the discrimination hasn’t just been racial (black and white). The discrimination has shown up as gender bias, socioeconomic bias, etc. You wouldn’t believe some of the lengths that people in esteemed positions have gone to demonstrate how they have not done their own inner work. I always keep in mind that if you have to bring a person down, you are already operating from a level of weakness.
Although I have faced multiple obstacles, I refuse to let anything or anyone tear me down. I also don’t want others who are facing the same challenges I have experienced to feel as though they are alone and have no options. This why I began writing and now, I am a published author. My story of my own son’s experience with discrimination in NC schools and courts can be found in Kevin Powell’s 2020: The Year That Changed America.
We’ve been impressed with Speak Up! Special Education Advocacy, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a result of my Special Education Advocacy business, my clients feel confident, they obtain the Special Education Services their children need to thrive, and they are also relieved to have someone representing them at the table where decisions are being made.
My purpose is to use my many years of professional and personal life experience to advocate, lead and support children with Autism and their parents in feeling confident navigating the Special Education process.
I also hold/host speaking engagements and workshops.
I will soon be launching a book about a boy with Autism.
It’s currently in pre-order status. If you would like to pre-order a copy of the book please visit: https://form.jotform.com/220328011709042
Ways to support:
- Pre-order copies of the book can be purchased via Cash App by sending $25 to $AutismFitMom
Below is a recent review I received via DM from a woman who attended a recent workshop I participated in:
Your style of communication was clear and concise without being overwhelming. I so appreciated your use of empowering language throughout the presentation, and your ability to validate our need for self-care as parents and caregivers. As a parent who is new to the neurodiverse community, I hope to use the information and resources you shared as a way for my family members to take up the responsibility of self-education and seeking their own understanding of ASD, freeing me up to focus on the most important thing- my child. That was one of the largest takeaways from your session for me: giving myself the freedom to focus on advocating for them in non-traditional ways, such as with family members or even in a restaurant.
From one Black Mom to another- I am so proud of you!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Yes! Always stand up for what you believe in!
Contact Info:
- Email: advocatehayes@gmail.com
- Website: www.speakupadvocacy.com
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpeakUpAdvocacy
