Welcome to Teammates!
Teammates Club is for those who have joined with a $40 membership annual fee. To see the benefits, visit this page here.
Here are just some of the experts and coaches who are collaborating with us for Teammates Club!
More coming soon! Keep checking back!
Experts
Uzma Akser is an Autism Coach, Mentor and the founder of Uzma Akser Coaching and Consulting (UACC), founder of the “Bridging the Gap” cohesive parent support group (UAE). She has a 13-years old child on the autism spectrum.
Earned an LLB (Hons) and a postgraduate in Legal Practice Course from the UK.
ACA Coach Academies Certified, Credentialed Life and Academic Coach (ACC) and underwent Professional certified coaching training (PCC).
Completed “Understanding Autism” Course by Learning Curve Group (UK).
Also a Certified Autism Coach – completed extensive training and examination from the IBCCES (USA).
She has 2 years of voluntary experience with The Butterfly (Abu Dhabi, UAE), an advocacy agency for People of Determination.
Volunteered for the Special Olympics UAE in 2019 during the World Games; participated as a coach and mentor for the students of the “Unified Physics” program in 2022.
She has also been a speaker at numerous community events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Recently an international speaker at the ICAN event in Dubai.
Through her business she has conducted workshops and trainings for Cascade Education (learning center, Dubai), The Butterfly (Abu Dhabi), R.A.C.E. Coaching4Education (Dubai).
She is currently coaching and training individuals on the autism spectrum, their families and companies seeking inclusive practices.
She believes in taking a holistic approach to autism coaching that embraces neurodiversity, fosters personal development, growth and promotes advocacy.
Ongoing – voluntary support for the Early Childhood Authority (Abu Dhabi) as a panelist in the “Voice of Child” initiative, facilitating parents support group for The Developing Child Centre (Dubai) since November 2022, facilitating homeschooling parents support group, online Live talks for parents and educators.
Since October 2020 has been working with individuals on the autism spectrum, and their families.
Website – www.coachingwithuzma.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/coac
Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/co
AUTISM SPEECH:
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for tuning into today’s speech. What is autism? Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by abnormalities in the brain starting at a young age. For example, for some, there is a part of our brain that triggers our speech that could take longer to develop than someone whose not on the spectrum, while others could have difficulty with balance. I struggled with both and was non-verbal until the age 3 when my speech pathologist (who I keep in contact with to this day) helped me say my very first words. Balance is another struggle of mine, even though it is much better than when I was younger, I would lose my balance here and there. At this point, you may be asking to yourself: “Why is he bringing up these points?” At the age of 5, I was diagnosed with autism. At first, I was confused about it since it was not fully understood at the time. As the advancements in technology improved, we were able to understand (or at least grasp) more about autism each year. The rate from the year 2000 to 2021, went from 1 in 154 to 1 in 36. There is one thing that makes talking about autism difficult: that is stepping out of my comfort zone. Whenever I try to bring up that I am on the autism spectrum, I either get made fun of or have been told it is just in my head but no two people are the same. Someday, you will meet someone with autism but remember this: that is just one person of many.
Honestly, to be here in front of you today is a great honor and a step in the right direction as I hope to become a beacon of hope for those wanting to share their story. I read something that made me want to do this, and it says, “I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say because of you, I didn’t give up.” I have a dream that one day the autism community will rise from the ashes and soar like a Phoenix to tell our story in hopes that someone will listen, understand and accept us for who we are and listen to our needs, as well as our wants, without any judgement. I believe that even though our life is like an uncharted road full of twists and turns, not knowing what may lie ahead, one turn could be filled with joy, happines and beauty like the Matterhorn in Switzerland or one turn could be anxiety filled like the rocky terrain at the Rubicon in California talk about rocky. Growing up with autism has not been easy. There have been days where I’ve been bullied by both classmates and teachers, I’ve been in fights, and through it all I’ve learned to advocate for myself and stand up for others. However, not all days were bad. From learning my first words after being non-verbal the first three and a half years of my life from a great speech therapist, Michelle Winner (who I keep in touch with to this day), to graduating with a degree in the medical field, I turned the negatives into positives to push me to where I am today. Now, I am the author of my first book, Chatter Boxː My Life with Autism A Mother and Sons Perspective.
There will always be days where it’s filled with anxiety and days where it’s filled with joy and happines, doing the things we love to do. For me, I love to DJ, Golf (although frustrating I still like to do it when I have time), go to sporting events, photography and going to concerts, even though concerts can be overwhelming, they are still fun.
Next, I urge you to start leaning more towards acceptance. Think about it, when it comes to awareness, it means you are aware that we are here, but not do anything. Acceptance means you are not only aware, but also find ways to be there for us when we need it the most and accept us for who we are. We take two steps forward but seems like every year we take a thousand steps back. We want to live in a world that accepts us for who we are and not judge up discriminate against us. We are not bad people, and if given a chance, we will show you that we are fun to hang with and are hardworking individuals. There is one way you can support us and that is by reaching out to us and hearing our story. I will quickly give you a couple of steps that will help. However, be advised that it might not work out at first. The reason why is because some of us, if we are not up for talking, will either walk the other way or pretend we are on our phone to avoid any conversation. One way to reach out to us and hear our story is by starting a conversation with us.
A great first step is asking what our favorite subject is. Then, after a few exchanges, ask us to share our story and you will most likely hear that we want to be supported by you and others. That is one of the best first steps for you to take and help us on our path to acceptance. Parents, I know how difficult it can be to raise someone like us and I know there are times when you want to throw in the towel. However, with your courage and support for me and others like myself, you will be able to fight through. To us, you are our capeless super heroes fighting to help make the world a better and safer place for us. Keep up the fight, even when it seems like the light at the end of the tunnel seems like it is far away and these road blocks keep you from reaching it. I Know that even though we have a tough time saying and explaining things, we thank you super heroes for your continued fight and effort to help bring acceptance, being there for us at our most difficult and vulnerable time. You can help bring understanding to those who don’t know Autism that well. As I draw this to a close, I have some poems and quotes for autism moms and dads to end this speech. If you have shed some tears or about to when I bring up these quotes and poems, I do apologize. I have been known to make people tear up. Here is a poem by Susan Logan. “Here I am locked inside my own little world you think I don’t listen but I hear every word. Sometimes I get frusterated because you don’t understand. It’s not my fault, it’s the way I am. I wish I could say what I want to say but I am autistic, so that kind of gets in the way. For those who don’t know me they probably think I’m out of control If only they could play my role. There are lots of others who feel the same A constant battle, a losing game. For those who look after me it’s two steps forward but ten back will they ever get the answers they lack? Family and friends try their best but they are exhausted in desperate need of rest. Someday I hope they find the key to unlock the piece hidden deep within me.” The next poem is from someone eventhough I forget who it was from. “Autism, I may find it difficult to talk, but that doesn’t mean I have nothing to say. I may find it difficult to express how I feel, but that doesn’t mean I have no feelings to express. I have autism, communication is difficult for me, but your understanding of my world could be easy for you. Autism, Understand and Accept. Please be autism aware.” These next poems are for autism moms and dads. First, for the moms. “Autism moms On the days you feel your worst remember that you are beautiful. On the days you feel like you don’t know what you are doing, know that you are brilliant on the days you feel exhausted and can’t go any further, look back and see how far you have come. On the days you feel you can’t handle another battle, look at all your scars and be proud of the ones you won. On the days you feel alone, know that you never are.” Next, for the dads. “To all of you who go to work on very little sleep, to support your family. To all of you who come home after a hard day at work, but who first hug your partner because you know they may have had a harder day than you. To all of you who take your turn with the household chores. To all of you that attend many of your childs appointments as you can. To all of you who love and accept your child as they are. To all of you who have yet to hear your child call you daddy. To all of you that are lucky enough to hear it. To all of you that long for a hug from your child. To all of you that are lucky enough to get that hug. To all of you that may have cried silent tears when no one was watching. To all of you that celebrate and rejoice in your child’s achievements, no matter how small they seem to others. To all of you who fight for your child to get the support they deserve. To all of you fighting for autism acceptance. To all of you that are your partners rock. To all of you that sometimes get forgotten about. To all of you that are doing all of this on your own as a single dad. To all of you, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. With love your children and autism mamas.”
To wrap this up, here are a few quotes that have helped me keep on pushing forward. The first is from Victor Hugo when he wrote the play Les Miserables, “even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” The next one is a great one that really helps with not giving up from Zig Ziglar, “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations, the best is yet to come.” Next is one from Stuart Duncan, “Autism is not a choice, acceptance is. Imagine if the opposite was true.” Now this one from Liz Becker is a good one, “Sometimes all a parent needs is to know the impossible is actually possible. Hope goes a long way when it comes to autism.” The next two I am not sure who they are from but here is the next. “Autism doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a parent who never gives up.” Next one, “We fall we break we fail. But then we rise we heal and we overcome.” And finally, this last one resonates with me a lot and maybe it will resonate to others as well. I couldn’t find who wrote it, but it goes like this. “An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming.” I strongly believe this will resonate with others because even though the bow of difficulty is dragging you back, it just means that someday soon the inner voice will tell the bow to let go. Then you will be launched into a life you have wanted, a life full of love and support from others. Keep up the fight and don’t give upǃ Finally I have a few last words I feel are these last 3 sayings. THE 3 TYPES OF PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE..
- The Leaf people
- The Branch people
- The Root people
LEAF PEOPLE:
These are people who come into your life just for a season. You can’t depend on them because they are weak. They only come to take what they want, but if the wind comes they will leave.
You need to be careful of these people because they love you when things are okay, but when the wind comes they will leave you 🤗
BRANCH PEOPLE:
They are strong, but you need to be careful with them too. They break away when life becomes tough and they can’t handle too much weight. They may stay with you in some seasons, but they will go when it becomes harder ✊
ROOT PEOPLE: These people are very important because they don’t do things to be seen. They are supportive even if you go through a difficult time they will water you and they are not moved by your position they just love you like that …
It’s not all people you meet or are your friends, that will stay with you.
Only the root type of people will stay no matter the season
-Bobby Johnson-
Some people come into your life like boosters for a rocket. When rockets go off into space, the boosters fall off when they reach a certain altitude. And just like that rocket, as you reach certain altitudes in your life, not everyone will be able to hold on. So don’t feel discouraged when you start to notice that they fell off. It doesn’t make them bad boosters, they just couldn’t reach where you were going.
As you continue to grow and blossom into who God has created you to be, some people will be seasonal, and they will not be able to reach the altitudes you are reaching. This becomes the cycle of growing and letting go.
-Tyler Perry-
In The Lion King, there was a scene in which little Simba tries to defend himself and Nala by roaring at the hyenas, only to let out small meows. Hyenas started making fun of him because they felt he was too puny, still, he chose to roar.
Hyenas asked Simba to do it again, and he let out his best roar. And the miracle happened, this time his roar was giant, it was big. Because his father Mufasa appeared to protect him.
In life, hyenas surround us too in the form of toxic people, negative emotions, depression, failures, or rejections. No matter what, like Mufasa our heavenly father will miraculously appear to save and protect us, all we need to do is to try our best and roar.
We call our heavenly father Jesus. the mighty and ferocious roar of our father is behind you.
DON’T GIVE UP. Don’t forget YOU ARE SIMBA
Thank you.
Country singer, song-writer and artist
White Bull’s BBQ Owner and Founder
Chris Apple founded WhiteBullsBBQ in Philidelphia in 2019, after flipping enough Jordans to quit his warehouse job. He wanted to turn his love of BBQ into a brand he could build a legacy with. Starting as a restaurant, Chris focused on selling top quality BBQ food made with his own seasonings. After six months, the pandemic hit and Chris pushed WhiteBullsBBQ into the seasoning and rub market. As of 2021, WhiteBullsBBQ is proudly based in Auburn, CA and selling BBQ at various locations.