This is the first of what I hope will be many Sibling Stories about the siblings of developmentally disabled adults. The siblings are often overlooked and there does not seem to be much in the way of programs or services that address the needs of siblings so I’ve decided to do some blog posts to highlight the lives of siblings. Our needs, hopes, dreams, goals and desires. We are multi-faceted and multi-dimensional.
The first in this series is my buddy and former co-worker Mr. Harvey Lackey. I had the pleasure of working with Harvey for four years. He is a young man filled with joy, happiness and a quick wit.
Please enjoy and give his music a listen.
Also please remember my Theme Song Jingle!!
Don’t hate! Communicate!! Collaborate!! Listen to your Heart and Donate!! To Agencies and Organizations that provide support services and programs to Developmentally Disabled persons!! Thanks!!
Harvey’s Story
Living with an developmentally disabled sister is a job and work in progress. You always have to keep one eye open to keep her safe. Conversation wise is not easy on my part, because she is limited in some ways with conversation & i’m not really a talkative person and i’m constantly busy. Living with 2 other older sisters & mother makes it easier to deal with. She influences my music a in some ways and she loves listening to the radio a lot in her free time. She was under care at a program called AMAC and currently under a program called IAHD.
Bio:
Ras (X) is a producer/MC/Underground Indie Artist & was born in New York & raised in the Bronx. He loves hip hop, & has been a fan since the ’90s as a kid growing up. The artist’s and songs that really got him wanting to produce & MC was 2Pac, Nore’s “Banned From TV” & Canibus. After hearing 2Pac’s All Eyez On Me, he thought, I have 2 try 2 write sum lyrics. He would spend hours writing rhymes & trying 2 imitate various rappers flows & lyrics. Also, he is a huge fan of that mid ’90s-early ’00s sound. He try’s 2 get his music 2 sound like that era in the best possible way. He is a workaholic, & spends as much time possible making beats & just trying to stay on top of his game. The moniker “Ras (X)” comes from his middle name Rashid, shortened to just Ras & the (X) is unknown, meaning it could mean anything, such as Ras (X)-Cellent, Ras (X)-Man, Ras (X)-Troadinaire & so on.
Ras (X) loves the process of making music. It can stem from mood, experience, everyday situations or short notice ideas. In other words, it’s very sporadic. Hearing the finished product is what drives Ras (X).
Production Credits: Aye Nyce, BillzZz, Da NaughtY, Jerms Black, D-Will, Larry Bondz, Mic Bookz, Epik, IRA, Joey Jesus, Kapi-Ku, Soe Sykk, Just Biz, Sun Zee & more
Can’t Donate Money?? Well many Residential Homes for Disabled Adults are in need of Art Supplies, Board Games or your time as a Volunteer. Are you a gifted and talented photographer? Well many adults with Autism are eager to learn photography and would be delighted to have you as a teacher!!
People with Autism are very creative, talented and gifted and enjoy expressing their creativity. Please Observe my brother Stephen as Artist. Drawing and creating collages are just one of the many ways he expresses himself as an Artist.
Gideon’s Greeting
When the angel of the Lord found Gideon cowering in fear from the Midianites, the angel said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12 NIV). So say those words to yourself whenever you are afraid. Even when, like Gideon, you don’t feel anything like a warrior, say, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
In the USA we have something called Black Friday which is the Friday after Thanksgiving when Americans give into their greed and bombard the department stores and shopping malls in search of discounts and sales on Christmas gifts. This is one of these Holiday traditions that I wish would go by the wayside as it has nothing to do with Jesus or Christianity. I could go into how I loathe and despise how Christmas has become commercialized but I’ll leave that for another blog post.
I choose Autism Activism over fear of D.T. I’ll refer to him as Delirium Tremors, mostly because one night while in the Army I had CQ Duty (CQ is Charge of Quarters) and I received a phone call alerting me that one guy in our unit had the D.T.s Delirium Tremors and that he was being taken to the hospital. Alcoholics get the D.T.s. Never saw the guy again on base or anywhere else for that matter. Referring to the Donald as Delirium Tremors is fitting as he got many to drink his poisoned Kool-Aid and they will probably wind up in the crazy house, jail or disappointed and let down once they realize that this game show host cannot fulfill any of the promises he made to a certain demographic.
Don’t Hate. Donate!
I choose Love. Obviously like on any job some of my co-workers did vote for the Donald. Do I think they are racist? No. Misled. Yes! Veterans Day I shook their hands and greeted those who are Veterans and those who are not just like the day before Election Day. Hating Dhump supporters will not solve anything. Do No Lower Yourself to that level. Instead either begin your own fundraising campaign or volunteer, support and donate to a Cause you believe in. That’s the best way to handle this situation.
Autism Activism
Rather than feeling powerless I’m mounting a Fundraising Campaign to benefit the two agencies that care for my brother Stephen. I’m also encouraging All Americans and those in other countries to donate to your local and regional Veterans Organizations as well as groups that help animals.
QCP 2014 Footsteps For Progress Walkathon – Developmental Disability
Don’t Let Black Friday become “Broke Friday!” Please donate money, time, toys or clothing to AABR, QCP, your local homeless shelter or a Veterans Organization. See the links for AABR and QCP Help the Needy not the Greedy! Thank you!!
Homebody. The furthest I’ve traveled in the last eight 8 years is New Jersey, Washington, DC and Connecticut!
What kind of TV commercial would you like to make? Describe it.
Hmmm….. Now I don’t have a TV but perhaps I could make a commercial showing how we are more alike than different. Something to promote LTD, Love Togetherness and Devotion. It would feature myself and my brother Stephen an Awesome Autism Guy who is the most Loving and Caring person I know.
My first Autism Fundraising Video Efforts.
Describe yourself in a word that starts with the first letter of your name.
Devoted. Devoted to my brother Stephen.
Sword Marvel Universe
Sword Marvel Universe
Stephen Marvel Universe
Sword Marvel Universe
Sword Marvel Universe
List some fun things for a rainy day.
Sleeping. Eating. If Stephen his here with me doing some art projects, i.e. collages. Listening to music. Working on my blogs.
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Grateful that I survived our devastating and disappointing election. Seeking ways that I can promote peace plus helping those who are disadvantaged like the Autism Community. It is not enough to complain about D.T. but we have to do things that will help those who are disenfranchised. Stop Complaining!! Start using your Blogs in ways that will help those in need!
In that effort I’m encouraging everyone to make donations to Queens Centers for Progress and AABR whose programs and services have changed my brother Stephen’s life and many other developmentally disabled adults lives for the better.
Remember even if you don’t have money you can donate time via volunteering, cars, art supplies, etc………
I’m Looking forward to raising as much money as possible for both AABR and QCP. Please share this with all your Networks and encourage folks to donate. Thank you and God Bless!!
For this week’s challenge, share a photo of something pure — it can be a person, an object, or a moment.
Matthew 5:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
My brother Stephen an Autism Guy who is truly Pure in Heart, Soul and Spirit. Always kind, considerate, compassionate and Loving. God Lives in and Through Him in All Stephen’s thoughts and Actions.