April is being designated as Autism Month, and to highlight its significance, by bringing awareness to the acute condition affecting autistic persons, the Christian Fellowship Church was the venue of a unique church service, last Sunday morning, in observance of the month.
Ms. Annishka White, President of the newly launched Ispeak Autism Society, has been frequently in the news lately as a pioneer who is slowly breaking the silence on this mental disorder which affects children at a tender age and throughout their childhood.
Ms. White’s experience, as the mother of an autistic daughter, has prompted her to take action in an effort to shed light on the condition, typically known as the spectrum, and which has been, until now, a rather taboo subject in our society. And now, with focus on April as the time to pay particular attention to children with autism worldwide, Ms. White’s ongoing objective is to sensitize the local public.
Features at the special Sunday service included a fervent prayer for the Ispeak Society and for affected children, offered by Pastor Iton Connor; a special song by Deleon Richardson; a cheerful dance; and the presentation of a passionate address by the President, Ms. White.
A portion of that address follows: “It is with honor that I stand here today to celebrate this momentous occasion — the Ispeak Autism Society’s first church service and blessing. As the Founder, President, and the mom of a child affected by autism, I have determined that this society, Ispeak, caters to persons with autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays. We aim to bring awareness to the presence of autism, to provide services like mentorship, education, training, counseling advocacy, community collaboration, or any other related services that would be needed to improve the quality of life for those in our community who are affected by this disorder.
“Ispeak is about people. It’s about serving people who need our love, our time, and our focus and determination to see them succeed. I stand here, not by myself but with a group of executives whom I believe God has handpicked, and He is only using me as a vessel. These persons would stand as I identify them: Mrs. Charmaine Rey-Richardson, Ms. Tamara Pradel, Tr. Cislyn Richardson, Ms. Kenesha Riley, Dr. Indira Singh and Quincia Gumbs. These are the persons whom God has blessed me with to stand at the helm of this society, and indeed we are all fitly joined together.”
Ms. White then took pleasure in introducing the parents of autistic children who were in attendance. Upon that note, she passionately, but humbly claimed: “We are the true winners. We are the true leaders. We have stood the test of time. We vow not to give up. We vow to keep on pushing, pressing, learning and doing the best for our children. Autism and developmental delays are real. The condition is right in front of our faces. It’s in our homes, schools, churches, and in our communities at large.
“It’s time to break the silence. It’s time to start the change we want to see. It’s time to stop being ashamed or afraid as parents. Parents, I appeal to you to seek the necessary support or help that you need.
“We ask you today, as a church, to partner with us as a society. First Corinthians Chapter 13 is synonymous with Ispeak. It reads: ‘Though Ispeak with the tongues of men and angels and have not love, I am like a sounding brass and a clanging symbol.’ Let this chapter be synonymous with your approach to autism as well, and show the love of God. Let us begin to live the words of Jesus, when He said, ‘Love one another even as I have loved you.’
“Let our pain and concerns be you pain and your concerns. Let our joys and victories be yours as well. Let our children be your children. Let words of encouragement ring from your mouths. Let us lobby together for more services and better facilities. We need you as volunteers, advocates and friends as you stand with us in the fight against autism.”
Ms. White mentioned that Wednesday April the 11th was designated as “autism blue” day, when all students in all the schools were encouraged to wear blue as a symbolic stand in solidarity for the battle against autism. She also made note of the fact that on Friday night, April 13th, there will be a special open talk forum at that said church (Christian Fellowship Church) beginning at 7:00 p.m.
A stirring and encouraging sermon entitled: “Jesus Can Do Anything” was delivered by Pastor Iton Connor. At the end, much appreciation and admiration was given to Ms. White and her team for their noble work in Ispeak as a community-benefiting society.
