Ausome International Women's Day Celebration!

On March 8, 2020, Ausome mothers gathered together in the Up Street Room of Quest Fellowship to celebrate International Women’s Day in collaboration with World Pulse and Autism Family Support Group. The word "Ausome" is a contraction of Autism and Awesome. I have no idea who coined this word, but I love it because it shifts the mindset that though living with autism can be challenging, it can be awesome, too!

Mommy Reign sponsored a free make-up session to early birds and some giveaways, while Mommy Tess volunteered to assist participants to register their names on the sheet provided by World Pulse. Mommy Claire prepared the sponsored giveaways (hers included) and World Pulse souvenirs. Mommy Cariza sponsored our snacks.

Mommy Josie, the founder of Autism Family Support Group, was the program host.

Our event began with an inspirational talk by Sister Saralee, wife of Quest’s pastor Les Tilka. She invited her husband to open up about his ADHD, a condition he was diagnosed late in life through the loving encouragement of his wife. Pastor Les shared how difficult his childhood was, his parents did not know how to handle him. He had us teary-eyed when he gently concluded, “God makes no mistakes. He knows you are the perfect mother for your child.”

The couple also shared about their struggle in raising up their adopted daughter who has special needs, too, but it now working in the US as a behavior therapist to a special needs center there. Sister Sarelee said they understand what it is like to parent children with extra needs and special needs families are welcome to their church.

To know that they identified with what we are going through was an encouraging moment for all of us. Sister Saralee shared about what self-care for mothers is like and why it is important, not selfish.

My topic was about Overcoming Depression, but I focused on “situational depression” which is more relatable to these mommies. I began by introducing the Cycle of Grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) since finding out about our children’s condition is tantamount to losing a child (or the child we envisioned to be like: neurotypical).

I narrated my struggle with depression and how writing my stories on World Pulse helped me process personal healing. I shared about the Narrative Approach as an effective tool for recovery from depression. This is based on the book by researcher Damien Ridge. There is indeed a healing power when we tell our stories. I introduced World Pulse to them, then distributed World Pulse button pins to each one after my talk.

Doc. Mary Vic shared about nutrition immunology, how strengthening our immune system can protect us from illness. Nutritious food is our body’s medicine, and we need to choose food that boosts our immune system. She enumerated ways how to prepare nutritious food.

Our time was short. Mommy Josie was unable to speak about Emotional Freedom. Instead, she suggested that we will schedule a second event where she can continue to share her topic. I will also speak about Empathy next time. Due to the community quarantine, we have not set a date yet. However, it was agreed by the group that we need this kind of gathering so we will meet once a month.

Fifteen participants braved their way to our event in spite of the COVID-19 scare. Initially, there were almost 30 who confirmed to attend.

The program ended with the distribution of World Pulse souvenirs: a cactus plant with an inspirational quote with the World Pulse logo and partners. It is to remind Ausome mothers that we are like cactus plants, tough, resilient, and strong, but still capable to bloom and produce our rare kind of flower.

After the event, there were mothers who approached and thanked me for sharing my story. They said they identified with me. There were also those who opened up about their depression. Someone said my talk was exactly what she needed to hear because she has been depressed for months, and now she has found hope. I encouraged them to write their stories on World Pulse.

World Pulse Philippines will be uploading my webinar on Dealing with Depression for Mothers Raising Children with Autism on World Autism Awareness Day (April 2, 2020).  It is the same content as what I shared during our International Women’s Day event. 

Please like and follow World Pulse Philippines Facebook Page to check our webinar series: https://www.facebook.com/worldpulseph/