09/24/2026
Tonight was a full-circle moment for me. 🥹💛
My love and passion for autistic children started with Mylo.
Before the trainings, before working in the schools, before going back to school for ABA, before HOPE was ever a thought… there was Mylo. 💛
I opened Hope Studio just one week ago, and after receiving over 500 likes, comments and so much encouragement, I really thought I would have children signed up for this week’s workshop.
I didn’t.
And for a moment, I started to feel discouraged.
Then I had to look at the scripture I intentionally put on the wall of my studio:
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” — Zechariah 4:10 🙏🏾
So instead of focusing on who wasn’t there, I appreciated who WAS.
And tonight, the child sitting at my table was Mylo. 🥹
The very child who started all of this for me.
The child who made me want to understand autism.
The child who made me want to learn more.
The child who helped uncover a passion in me that I didn’t even know was there.
And now he was sitting inside something I built because of that passion—creating, participating, laughing and enjoying himself.
God really has a way of bringing things full circle. 💛
And right beside him was my son, Andreas, who I taught/teach him about autism, how they are different just like we all re and how he BETTER ALWAYS stick up for them (& he does)
One autistic child. One neurotypical child. Two kids creating, learning and having fun together.
Because that’s part of what HOPE means to me too. Our children don’t have to exist in separate worlds. With the right environment, understanding and support, they can learn beside one another, create beside one another and simply be kids together. 🎨💛
Maybe tonight wasn’t supposed to be a room full of children.
Maybe I needed this reminder first. Although I want to make some money sure, but Lord knows if I can impact just ONE child who the world would likely count out, I did what I came to do.
Before HOPE gets bigger, I needed to remember exactly why I started.
And tonight, my “why” was sitting right in front of me. 🥹💛
HOPE — Helping Others Paint and Express
Coloring Outside the Lines. 🎨