More good things!

Posted on April 28, 2021 by M

I have some exciting news to announce.

Not only was I a recipient of a BC Arts Council grant – which means I have the ability to create more awesome things, but my local MLA (Member of the legislative assembly) Rick Glumac spoke about me at the British Columbia Legislature in Victoria.

Here’s the video!

I am so grateful that my hard work was acknowledged and that he spoke up about the puzzle piece, awareness vs acceptance and used my correct pronouns.

I also wanted to announce that not only was I an independent consultant for York Universities Mental Health Literacy for Autism, but I am so pleased to show you that they chose to use my “Love Grows” image on the cover as you can see here.

If you like this design, I actually sell pins, patches and stickers with it in my etsy store!

I’ve also contributed to a few “Nothing with out us” segments on CBC’s “on the coast with Gloria Macarenko”, and i’m incredibly thankful that I have been given this opportunity.

I’ve been keeping myself as busy as possible and I will have many new items that i’ll be releasing soon and I even got my first dose of the covid-19 vaccine. I’ve been working on keeping myself hydrated and my mind in a more positive state. It’s a challenge though and I can’t wait until my family, friends and roommates are fully vaccinated.

@retr0philiac
Hopefully this makes more sense
♬ original sound – Margaux – retrophiliac

I really can’t wait to share more good things with you.

Thank you so much for supporting me and reading.

Mortgage Tree does it again.

Posted on April 10, 2021 by M

I had reached out to Mortgage Tree in the past to provide them with feedback about how terrible their campaign was.

I’ve already written extensively and provided a free guide for businesses to understand how to navigate these treatorous waters, but they actively choose not to listen.

https://navigatinglifemyjourney.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/an-autistics-guide-to-corporate-social-responsibility/

I created a video and a long blog post about all the things that happened.

https://navigatinglifemyjourney.wordpress.com/2019/04/07/brand-awareness-at-our-expense/

The original writing from 2019

They made a plethora of excuses and essentially negated my voice and all the feedback that I had for them. Seems like they’ve continued on this campaign and also have continued to hire a NON-AUTISTIC artist (from what it seems) to create a colouring book page for them.

They use puzzle pieces, which again is VERY harmful (i don’t know how many times i have to repeat myself)
They use AWARENESS VS. Acceptance as well
They refer to Autism as a DISEASE

It’s exhausting to provide feedback to give them the chance to change and do better, but instead they choose not to do this.

If you want to see what they have done with their campaign and reach out to them, here’s where you can go:

The businesses involved:

Achievements!

Posted on April 9, 2021 by M

I have been working hard to reach more milestones and I want to announce that I met my 500 sales goal and I have exceeded it. I have had so many orders go out lately and it’s keeping me exceptionally busy, which I am so grateful for. I am reminded of how I am living a dream i’ve always had, and that’s always been to sell my own merchandise. I try to ensure that I also write hand written notes to each customer.

Look at all these packages I sent out! This wasn’t even all of them.

Another goal that was reached was that the Made by Autistics Community is now well over 3,000 members strong. How incredible is this? I saw a desperate need for a group for Autistic creatives out of frustration I had. Every time I just wanted to SHOWCASE my specific cat-related art, I would head in to cat groups and people would ask me if I was selling or they’d tell me no selling was allowed, when all I wanted to do was showcase my art! That also lead me to creating the Made by Autistics Marketplace to fill that need. Both these groups work well with each other. Sometimes there’s a few bumps in the road, but I do my best.

Recently my artwork was licensed for a very special project so when that’s all finalized, i’m very eager to share. I also have a speaking engagement coming up as well so i’m stoked for that.

I was also featured on the Tri-City News and Vancouver Is Awesome! I would love if you could check out the article (they are the same on both sites) and share with your friends. I also posted about it on the Vancouver sub reddit and it’s created a really interesting discussion.

So, with all that being said: i’ve been very busy, my 6th enamel pin is currently in production, I am going to be creating so many more things and i’m not stopping anytime soon!

P.S. My sister and her bandmate released a brand new song, i’d be so jazzed if you could watch it and follow them on twitter and facebook.

It’s AUTISM ACCEPTANCE DAY!

Posted on April 2, 2021 by M

Today is the day where we reject Autism Speaks. We don’t light it up blue, we don’t say “Autism Awareness” because to be aware of something doesn’t mean you accept it.

Instead, choose to support Autistic people. Choose to support those around you instead of a large organization who are money hungry, have a genetic database, and use incredibly harmful imagery such as the puzzle piece.

I don’t need to feel like i’m broken, missing part of myself or needing some kind of solving.

The things I have personally done that i’m proud of (when imposter syndrome doesn’t rear it’s ugly head):

-Contributing to an important Autism guide (more info to come)

-Running Made by Autistics Community & Made by Autistics Marketplace on Facebook

-Creating a Neurodiversity and Autism merchandise collection on my etsy store

-Speaking up on various media channels

-Creating a dialogue and educating people against the harms of the puzzle pieces

-Having a podcast

-Having a youtube channel

-Bridging the gap between my art and Autism to open up the dialogue of what Autistic people are capable of and reducing stigmas

I feel like there’s so many things that Autistic people have accomplished, but instead these large organizations, who tend to weaponize “Autism Moms” against Autistic Adults, choose to continue to make life even harder for Autistic people.

If you’re Autistic, what are the things you are most proud of accomplishing?

If you’re not Autistic, do you have any questions for me?

Also, I wanted to add that I am having a contest for my Neurodiversity & Autism merchandise over at the Made by Autistics Marketplace on facebook and if you’re feeling like joining and entering, I would truly be very jazzed about it!