WEBVTT - 062224 Denise Resnik on the Intersection of Autism and Blackness (Part 2)

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<v Speaker 1>Keep on riding with us as we continue to broadcast

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<v Speaker 1>the balance and defend the discourse from the Hip Hop

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<v Speaker 1>Weekly Studios. Welcome back to Civic Cipher. I am still

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<v Speaker 1>your host, Ramsy's job.

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<v Speaker 2>He is Ramsey's job. I am q Ward. You are

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<v Speaker 2>either still with us or just joining. If you're just joining,

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<v Speaker 2>you're in for a treat because we have an incredible

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<v Speaker 2>guest with us today. And to all of those that

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<v Speaker 2>are listening, I hope everyone is having or had an

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<v Speaker 2>amazing Juneteenth.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah yo, and shout out to everybody that rocked with

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<v Speaker 1>us on our live on Juneteenth. That was fun as

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<v Speaker 1>we livestream the Canon Friends concert. But right now, back

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<v Speaker 1>to the woman of the hour, Denise Resnik again, I'm

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<v Speaker 1>going to say this first a mother, but also the

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<v Speaker 1>founder and president and CEO of First Place a Z.

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<v Speaker 1>We're going to continue having a very important conversation regarding

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<v Speaker 1>the intersection of being autistic and a minority in this country.

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<v Speaker 1>But before we get there, it is time for Baba

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<v Speaker 1>becoming a better ally. Baba and today's Baba is sponsored

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<v Speaker 1>by Friends of the Movement. You can sign up for

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<v Speaker 1>the free voter wallet from fotmglobal dot com to support

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<v Speaker 1>black businesses and allied businesses as well as make an

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<v Speaker 1>impact with your spending. Again, that's Fotmglobal dot Com and

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<v Speaker 1>today's Baba. I'm going to shout out my darling, Nikki.

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<v Speaker 1>I have a neighbor who did something that was very

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<v Speaker 1>kind this past Juneteam. And I mean, if she told

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<v Speaker 1>the story, she saw me get emotional in my doorway.

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<v Speaker 1>But the fact is is that this is this sort

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<v Speaker 1>of thing goes a long way, and I'm just sharing

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<v Speaker 1>a personal story with you. She brought a book to

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<v Speaker 1>my house on Juneteam. It was a children's book. Longtime

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<v Speaker 1>listeners will know that I have a nine year old.

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<v Speaker 1>She brought a children's book. It's called The ABC's of

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<v Speaker 1>Black History. And she dropped off a note and then

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<v Speaker 1>after I read the note, she gave me a hug

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<v Speaker 1>and it was just energizing. The note says Ramsy's wishing

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<v Speaker 1>you a wonderful and cell abatory June teenth. It is

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<v Speaker 1>a joy and a privilege to know you and call

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<v Speaker 1>you a friend. Thank you for your patience, grace and love.

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<v Speaker 1>As us allies show up to the party clumsy, so

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<v Speaker 1>clearly she listens to the show you are changing our

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<v Speaker 1>world in the world one podcast, I assume radio show

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<v Speaker 1>and kindness at a time. We're never too old to

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<v Speaker 1>receive the gifts we should have had available.

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<v Speaker 3>To us as kids.

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<v Speaker 1>No one is too old for a children's book help.

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<v Speaker 1>This gives you a smile, and you are able to

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<v Speaker 1>share it with anyone who needs it. Sincerely, Nicki. So

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<v Speaker 1>this is the first I never got a present for Juneteenth.

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<v Speaker 1>This is the first time anything like that has ever happened.

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<v Speaker 1>And it mattered. And I'll always remember this. And I

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<v Speaker 1>didn't establish this, but NICKI is a white woman, but

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<v Speaker 1>a kind human before that. And to know that, you know,

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<v Speaker 1>this is a holiday that matters to me. To bring

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<v Speaker 1>a gift and to just share a little bit of kindness.

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<v Speaker 1>I think she's this week's example.

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<v Speaker 2>Yeah, that's powerful. That's powerful, man.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, I was like she asked, She's like, can I

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<v Speaker 3>give you a hug? Like career. I'm sure that added

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<v Speaker 3>to your old man. It was a moment anyway.

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<v Speaker 1>All right, Denise Resin, It's such a joy to have

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<v Speaker 1>you here. Just your your passion is infectious and and

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<v Speaker 1>the way that you care, uh is infectious. Now, when

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<v Speaker 1>I first met you at first place, you shared a

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<v Speaker 1>bit of a story about and I don't know if

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<v Speaker 1>it was a true story or now, but basically a

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<v Speaker 1>story about how the transition from adolescence to adulthood can

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<v Speaker 1>be problematic, because that's a major fail point. You know,

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<v Speaker 1>the story I'm talking about.

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<v Speaker 4>I have a good idea, but you'll stop me if

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<v Speaker 4>it's not the same story.

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<v Speaker 3>I'm sure it is, but.

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<v Speaker 1>Just to kind of bring you a little bit closer,

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<v Speaker 1>this story that you told kind of transported me into

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<v Speaker 1>a home where I'm able to observe an individual with autism,

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<v Speaker 1>and I'm able to observe this individual's let's say, caretaker, provider,

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<v Speaker 1>support system, whatever, and you know a lot of times again,

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<v Speaker 1>as I mentioned, you know a lot of times when

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<v Speaker 1>at least for me, I would think of autism as

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<v Speaker 1>something that kids dealt with, not necessarily that adults dealt with.

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<v Speaker 1>And one of the things that happens is that when

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<v Speaker 1>you no longer have a caretaker as an adult, you

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<v Speaker 1>can fall through the cracks in society. So go with that.

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<v Speaker 4>Let me start with a statistic. There are one point

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<v Speaker 4>eight million adults living withism and intellectual developmental disabilities with

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<v Speaker 4>caregivers like me over the age of sixty, and that's

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<v Speaker 4>a slippery slope, and we're seeing an increase in displacement

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<v Speaker 4>and homelessness real quick.

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<v Speaker 5>Before you continue, the individuals with autism are being cared

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<v Speaker 5>for by individuals.

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<v Speaker 4>Aging parents, aging parents, aging parents, and aging family members.

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<v Speaker 4>And it's a slippery slope because we don't have enough

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<v Speaker 4>options for those individuals and we're not allowing that dignity

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<v Speaker 4>of risk and trusting enough places who can help them

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<v Speaker 4>learn how to live more independently. And we need more

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<v Speaker 4>of those places that are not only beautiful, but that

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<v Speaker 4>have data and efficacy and that we can trust. And

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<v Speaker 4>so my background actually started in senior housing. I worked

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<v Speaker 4>for the Dell Web Corporation, the granddaddy of senior housing,

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<v Speaker 4>some sixty years ago. And think about senior housing, you know,

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<v Speaker 4>you start with independent living and then semi skilled and nursing,

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<v Speaker 4>and think about what we're doing in reverse. We're starting

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<v Speaker 4>with more intense supports early in adult life to increase

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<v Speaker 4>that level of independence to the greatest degree possible, increase

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<v Speaker 4>their quality of life, increase their options for where they

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<v Speaker 4>might live next, and reduce costs throughout their lifetime. And

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<v Speaker 4>we're proving that and that's really important to recognize that

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<v Speaker 4>people can learn, but not all people with autism are

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<v Speaker 4>the same. It is a big broad spectrum. And so

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<v Speaker 4>our son, who is more profoundly impacted by his autism

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<v Speaker 4>than perhaps your cousin, wouldn't qualify to enroll in such

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<v Speaker 4>a program that we have because there's not a one

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<v Speaker 4>size fits all. And if you think about it, just

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<v Speaker 4>in the senior housing market, which many of us are

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<v Speaker 4>familiar with. You know, some sixty years ago here we

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<v Speaker 4>had sun City. It was a retirement community. Fast forward today,

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<v Speaker 4>now we have all these different price points and locations

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<v Speaker 4>and amenities and services, and people have choice. Well here

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<v Speaker 4>for people with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities. We don't

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<v Speaker 4>have sixty years to wait. So what is it that

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<v Speaker 4>we can do in our local markets and in our

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<v Speaker 4>communities to develop a trusted ecosystem so we can create

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<v Speaker 4>more programs, more options, where people can live with pride,

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<v Speaker 4>with purpose, with all kinds of possibilities, and where families

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<v Speaker 4>like ours can have peace of mind. Because I will

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<v Speaker 4>assure you that the family members like me who may

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<v Speaker 4>be listening on and parents specifically have that same looming

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<v Speaker 4>question of who's going to care about him when I'm

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<v Speaker 4>no longer able to do so, And Who's going to

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<v Speaker 4>make sure that that somebody's watching over him? And the

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<v Speaker 4>answer lies in community, and community doesn't just happen. It's

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<v Speaker 4>each of us coming together with those job opportunities, with

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<v Speaker 4>those healthcare opportunities, with some intentionality, that's right. And so

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<v Speaker 4>in your local communities, who do you know in the

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<v Speaker 4>police department or the county sheriff's office. We knew Sheriff

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<v Speaker 4>pen Z owned. He brought forty of his officers and

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<v Speaker 4>deputies to First Place and they sat side by side

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<v Speaker 4>with residents with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities, and we

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<v Speaker 4>had a pretty broad spectrum represented. They not only were

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<v Speaker 4>learning by what we had to say in training, they

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<v Speaker 4>were learning from real life experiences. And then we brought

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<v Speaker 4>our residents down to the Sheriff's office and they learned

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<v Speaker 4>about the k nines, and they learned about the different vehicles,

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<v Speaker 4>and they learned about what you need to do when

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<v Speaker 4>a person of authority says stop, and how we respond.

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<v Speaker 4>And it doesn't just happen, It takes training. And so

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<v Speaker 4>so I'm not one to miniaturize ambitions and dreams. I

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<v Speaker 4>am a dreamer and have been dreaming about this for

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<v Speaker 4>decades of how do we fast track a development, a

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<v Speaker 4>community development in communities across the country and what kind

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<v Speaker 4>of ingredients do we need? And that's why we created

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<v Speaker 4>the first Place Global Leadership Institute, and that's why we're

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<v Speaker 4>hosting our thirteenth Global Leadership Institute Symposium this October. People

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<v Speaker 4>can find that on our website at www dot first

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<v Speaker 4>Place Global dot org and bringing thought leaders together from

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<v Speaker 4>across the country and around the world, because we don't

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<v Speaker 4>have a corner on all the great ideas here in Phoenix.

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<v Speaker 4>We have a lot, but we're learning from each other.

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<v Speaker 4>There's a lot of reciprocal learning that continues to take place.

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<v Speaker 2>So RAMS is mentioned and I guess Nikki in her

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<v Speaker 2>letter mentioned sometimes some of us show up eager and

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<v Speaker 2>intentional and we want to help and we want to

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<v Speaker 2>be involved, but sometimes we're clumsy. For those of us

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<v Speaker 2>who will be new in this space that want to

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<v Speaker 2>be the best versions of the type of help, the

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<v Speaker 2>type of assistance, the type of allies that you would need,

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<v Speaker 2>what is some advice for those who are not just

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<v Speaker 2>clumsy but afraid to mess up or get it wrong.

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<v Speaker 2>How would you what type of advice would you give

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<v Speaker 2>people that want to be more involved in that want

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<v Speaker 2>to help more, but have a bit of hesitancy because

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<v Speaker 2>of their own personal fears of doing it wrong or

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<v Speaker 2>not showing up as the best versions of what you

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<v Speaker 2>would look for in a brother, a sister, or an ally.

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<v Speaker 4>Start with what you can control and where you are strong,

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<v Speaker 4>you do beautifully in front of a microphone, you asked

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<v Speaker 4>or you offered. You know that I suggested that I

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<v Speaker 4>need to get in front of more microphones. Well that's

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<v Speaker 4>what you could do to help me. It just takes

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<v Speaker 4>one It just takes one person to open the door

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<v Speaker 4>at that grocery store, at that doctor's office, you know,

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<v Speaker 4>at that space, to say, you know what, let's give

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<v Speaker 4>that person ahead of me a little more time because

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<v Speaker 4>I see that he or she is struggling and they

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<v Speaker 4>may have autism. Let's be aware we can control that.

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<v Speaker 4>And one of the greatest, greatest films I've ever seen

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<v Speaker 4>about this topic is called In a Different Key. It

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<v Speaker 4>is the best expression of community and of the spectrum

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<v Speaker 4>of autism. It was aired on PBS. One point three

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<v Speaker 4>million people saw it. It is amazing and it also

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<v Speaker 4>tells the story of people of color and doctor Stephanie Parks,

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<v Speaker 4>who's a UCLA doctoral student, who's a mother of a

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<v Speaker 4>child with autism, who talks about who talks about keeping

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<v Speaker 4>her child alive, and not only the autism, but how

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<v Speaker 4>the community would misinterpret a black man now an adolescent,

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<v Speaker 4>a young adult in the community maybe acting out or

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<v Speaker 4>showing those autistic signs. So how do we become more

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<v Speaker 4>aware so we can control what we read. Your listeners

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<v Speaker 4>are demonstrating that right now, the fact that they've tuned

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<v Speaker 4>in and stayed with us, they're becoming educated. And when

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<v Speaker 4>I say it just takes one it just takes that

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<v Speaker 4>one interaction with the police to say who can we

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<v Speaker 4>talk to? Who can we talk to about bringing a

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<v Speaker 4>training program here? Or what kind of training program do

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<v Speaker 4>you have? Or can I bring my child there? Can

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<v Speaker 4>I bring my classroom there? Can I bring my neighbors there?

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<v Speaker 4>So it's really when we think about community, it's all

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<v Speaker 4>of us building that one person can't build a community,

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<v Speaker 4>and you can't build a community for one person.

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<v Speaker 2>Yeah, first of all, thank you not just for answering

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<v Speaker 2>my question, but for all of the information and the

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<v Speaker 2>learning that you're helping us do today, not just Rams

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<v Speaker 2>and I, but as you mentioned our listeners, I think

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<v Speaker 2>empathy is the start, but education takes it to the

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<v Speaker 2>next level. Right, wanting to be involved is one thing,

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<v Speaker 2>but you're giving us the proper information and kind of

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<v Speaker 2>pointing us in the right direction, thus far more than

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<v Speaker 2>you realize. And there may be some that listen that

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<v Speaker 2>want to know you know why it's so important, especially

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<v Speaker 2>with regard to you having sheriffs come and sit and

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<v Speaker 2>learn interactions with law enforcement, especially when those who are

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<v Speaker 2>in power are the ones that are least educated and

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<v Speaker 2>least prepared. We had a story about a young man,

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<v Speaker 2>Elijah McClain. I'm sure you were familiar with his story.

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<v Speaker 2>Think of we can all think of how different the

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<v Speaker 2>outcomes would be for situations like his if the people,

0:13:15.880 --> 0:13:18.160
<v Speaker 2>not just the officers, but the people in the call centers,

0:13:18.200 --> 0:13:21.240
<v Speaker 2>even the people calling nine to one one were more

0:13:21.280 --> 0:13:25.480
<v Speaker 2>well versed in how to deal with people who are

0:13:25.520 --> 0:13:29.760
<v Speaker 2>experiencing a life in a different key than theirs. And

0:13:30.360 --> 0:13:33.880
<v Speaker 2>Elijah McClain's story is one that I remember very specifically

0:13:34.120 --> 0:13:37.199
<v Speaker 2>affecting Ramses a lot while we were on the air

0:13:37.280 --> 0:13:40.520
<v Speaker 2>talking about it, because he understood that had someone that

0:13:40.600 --> 0:13:44.040
<v Speaker 2>showed up been more prepared that that young man's outcome

0:13:44.040 --> 0:13:47.080
<v Speaker 2>would have been completely different. And in the space that

0:13:47.120 --> 0:13:51.240
<v Speaker 2>you're in, have you ever encountered stories like Elijah's where

0:13:51.320 --> 0:13:54.760
<v Speaker 2>people who are mis understood and those who show up,

0:13:54.760 --> 0:13:56.760
<v Speaker 2>who are supposed to take care of them, who are

0:13:56.760 --> 0:13:59.600
<v Speaker 2>supposed to protect them, are not able to do so

0:13:59.840 --> 0:14:01.240
<v Speaker 2>because they don't know any better.

0:14:02.120 --> 0:14:05.920
<v Speaker 4>I have, and that's why I've dedicated myself to this

0:14:06.000 --> 0:14:12.559
<v Speaker 4>work so that doesn't happen. I'll never forget what I saw,

0:14:13.000 --> 0:14:15.480
<v Speaker 4>what I smelled, and what I experienced in those places

0:14:15.520 --> 0:14:20.840
<v Speaker 4>that I visited when Matt was very young, and I

0:14:20.920 --> 0:14:23.520
<v Speaker 4>wasn't going to let that happen to him. And I

0:14:23.600 --> 0:14:27.040
<v Speaker 4>lived and I have lived this life of both fear

0:14:27.120 --> 0:14:30.440
<v Speaker 4>and love. You know, I fear what if we didn't

0:14:30.480 --> 0:14:33.600
<v Speaker 4>do this work, and I won't stop because I love

0:14:33.680 --> 0:14:36.400
<v Speaker 4>him and his sister very much. His sister is just

0:14:36.440 --> 0:14:41.000
<v Speaker 4>seventeen months older, and we've never wanted our daughter to

0:14:41.040 --> 0:14:44.280
<v Speaker 4>have to replace us as his parents. And it's really

0:14:44.320 --> 0:14:49.640
<v Speaker 4>important that we build that community. So like you, I

0:14:49.680 --> 0:14:53.400
<v Speaker 4>could show up clumsy today and believe me, I wanted

0:14:53.440 --> 0:14:55.080
<v Speaker 4>to do a little homework so I could be as

0:14:55.920 --> 0:14:58.120
<v Speaker 4>not as clumsy as I might have been perhaps, but

0:14:58.720 --> 0:15:01.680
<v Speaker 4>it's really important that we're open, that we open our hearts,

0:15:01.680 --> 0:15:04.800
<v Speaker 4>that we ask the questions. You don't know that somebody

0:15:04.840 --> 0:15:07.920
<v Speaker 4>is diagnosed with autism, but maybe that mom or dad

0:15:08.000 --> 0:15:09.240
<v Speaker 4>needs a little extra help.

0:15:10.080 --> 0:15:13.200
<v Speaker 5>Can I want to jump in right here. There's another

0:15:13.200 --> 0:15:18.160
<v Speaker 5>thing that you told me where and you you touched

0:15:18.160 --> 0:15:19.840
<v Speaker 5>on this briefly, but I want to make this live

0:15:19.880 --> 0:15:23.000
<v Speaker 5>a little bit more. Talking about community, he was talking

0:15:23.000 --> 0:15:26.680
<v Speaker 5>about how understanding each other, understanding that we all come

0:15:26.680 --> 0:15:31.640
<v Speaker 5>in different different there are different versions of humanity expressed

0:15:33.760 --> 0:15:43.800
<v Speaker 5>in its society. And often when you are man, male,

0:15:44.080 --> 0:15:47.720
<v Speaker 5>physically bigger, and my understanding is that autism is happens

0:15:47.720 --> 0:15:54.840
<v Speaker 5>more frequently in male children. Oftentimes if you're black or brown,

0:15:55.680 --> 0:15:59.080
<v Speaker 5>there there's a there's a fear element that's associated that

0:15:59.080 --> 0:16:01.120
<v Speaker 5>that comes into play for before let me see if

0:16:01.160 --> 0:16:03.800
<v Speaker 5>I can understand the rhythm of this individual. Right You

0:16:03.920 --> 0:16:07.240
<v Speaker 5>talked about Elijah McLain who lost his life.

0:16:07.040 --> 0:16:08.440
<v Speaker 3>And there's other stories.

0:16:08.440 --> 0:16:11.120
<v Speaker 5>That's just kind of an easier one to get to

0:16:11.360 --> 0:16:19.880
<v Speaker 5>individuals with autism that are that are coming up against society.

0:16:19.960 --> 0:16:22.720
<v Speaker 5>Someone looking at that and feeling afraid as opposed to

0:16:22.720 --> 0:16:24.960
<v Speaker 5>because I remember him was wearing a mask because he had.

0:16:24.840 --> 0:16:27.280
<v Speaker 3>Like sensitivity sensory issues perhaps.

0:16:30.040 --> 0:16:34.720
<v Speaker 5>And when you go even further, you know the story

0:16:34.760 --> 0:16:37.760
<v Speaker 5>that you were starting to tell, another story that I

0:16:37.800 --> 0:16:40.640
<v Speaker 5>remember hearing from you is there's an individual, I don't

0:16:40.640 --> 0:16:41.840
<v Speaker 5>know if this is a real person or not, an

0:16:41.840 --> 0:16:46.240
<v Speaker 5>individual living in a home with someone taking care of him,

0:16:46.360 --> 0:16:53.280
<v Speaker 5>let's say him, and then you know that caretaker passes away.

0:16:54.200 --> 0:16:58.400
<v Speaker 5>The individual with autism has been cared for by this

0:16:58.400 --> 0:16:59.520
<v Speaker 5>this other person who's now.

0:16:59.440 --> 0:17:03.240
<v Speaker 3>Passed away whole life.

0:17:02.480 --> 0:17:04.640
<v Speaker 5>And now they have no one else to take care

0:17:04.640 --> 0:17:08.640
<v Speaker 5>of them. They are not Elijah McLain's age. They are

0:17:08.720 --> 0:17:17.920
<v Speaker 5>probably thirties forties. Maybe they don't have the same capacity,

0:17:17.920 --> 0:17:20.800
<v Speaker 5>have not developed it, or they just lack the capacity

0:17:20.840 --> 0:17:23.760
<v Speaker 5>to get throw all together to have a go at

0:17:23.800 --> 0:17:27.480
<v Speaker 5>life on their own. They can't pay the rent where

0:17:27.520 --> 0:17:31.479
<v Speaker 5>they live, they can't get food. You know, they've had

0:17:31.480 --> 0:17:34.119
<v Speaker 5>someone taken care of now their caretaker is gone. So

0:17:34.200 --> 0:17:38.280
<v Speaker 5>what happens after a time These people end up on

0:17:38.359 --> 0:17:42.680
<v Speaker 5>the streets. When they end up on the streets, all

0:17:42.760 --> 0:17:50.800
<v Speaker 5>of the social welfare programs that we subsidize comes into play,

0:17:51.000 --> 0:17:55.120
<v Speaker 5>and these individuals end up criminalized for a health issue.

0:17:55.400 --> 0:17:57.400
<v Speaker 3>We've talked about that quite a bit on the show.

0:17:57.600 --> 0:18:03.880
<v Speaker 5>Yes, we have where people's you know, drug abuses criminalized.

0:18:04.600 --> 0:18:06.760
<v Speaker 5>Of course, we've talked about, you know, people who have

0:18:08.480 --> 0:18:11.399
<v Speaker 5>any any form of what we would consider a disability.

0:18:11.920 --> 0:18:13.920
<v Speaker 5>I'm still learning the language. I'm trying my best to

0:18:13.960 --> 0:18:17.000
<v Speaker 5>be kind, So as language evolves, please communicate with me,

0:18:17.080 --> 0:18:18.520
<v Speaker 5>y'all you know better than me.

0:18:19.480 --> 0:18:22.359
<v Speaker 3>But but individuals with different.

0:18:22.000 --> 0:18:30.720
<v Speaker 5>Types of abilities, you know, whatever their story is, oftentimes

0:18:30.760 --> 0:18:34.919
<v Speaker 5>the easiest and simplest and most valuable, depending on what

0:18:35.000 --> 0:18:41.080
<v Speaker 5>your portfolio reflects, is to criminalize always being and to

0:18:41.160 --> 0:18:43.440
<v Speaker 5>lock these people away. And that's sort of saying, rather

0:18:43.480 --> 0:18:48.120
<v Speaker 5>than providing them what I believe to be a productive

0:18:50.280 --> 0:18:54.640
<v Speaker 5>and inclusive framework that doesn't relegate these folks further into

0:18:54.720 --> 0:19:04.040
<v Speaker 5>the margins, I see a facility like first Placed for property.

0:19:04.680 --> 0:19:05.000
<v Speaker 5>Thank you.

0:19:05.119 --> 0:19:10.560
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, I got to learn like first place being something

0:19:10.680 --> 0:19:11.920
<v Speaker 3>that other.

0:19:13.359 --> 0:19:17.359
<v Speaker 5>Cities could incorporate as well. So I wanted to make

0:19:17.400 --> 0:19:22.119
<v Speaker 5>sure that I talked about that. Now we only have

0:19:22.520 --> 0:19:24.600
<v Speaker 5>about a minute or so. I want to make sure

0:19:24.640 --> 0:19:31.200
<v Speaker 5>that we discuss vote the spectrum, the non partisan voter

0:19:31.320 --> 0:19:34.640
<v Speaker 5>registration initiative, So just speak on that give me about

0:19:34.760 --> 0:19:36.800
<v Speaker 5>you know, thirty seconds to a minute on that. I

0:19:36.840 --> 0:19:37.040
<v Speaker 5>know you.

0:19:37.280 --> 0:19:38.240
<v Speaker 3>I'm sorry we run out.

0:19:38.119 --> 0:19:41.160
<v Speaker 4>Of time, no problem, and thank you so much for

0:19:41.160 --> 0:19:44.160
<v Speaker 4>filming a little peace on Vote the Spectrum too. So

0:19:44.400 --> 0:19:49.080
<v Speaker 4>Vote the Spectrum is a registration initiative, a voter registration initiative,

0:19:49.480 --> 0:19:53.000
<v Speaker 4>and we have teamed up with other disability groups and

0:19:53.119 --> 0:19:56.639
<v Speaker 4>the County Recorder's office and the Secretary of State's office

0:19:56.680 --> 0:20:00.320
<v Speaker 4>to launch Vote the Spectrum. We need more ours, d's

0:20:00.520 --> 0:20:04.359
<v Speaker 4>and i's who have our back, who you understand that

0:20:05.040 --> 0:20:08.560
<v Speaker 4>people with disabilities and people who are family members of

0:20:08.600 --> 0:20:12.080
<v Speaker 4>people with disabilities and autism vote and we need to

0:20:12.119 --> 0:20:14.000
<v Speaker 4>get our butts out there and we need to vote.

0:20:14.240 --> 0:20:15.880
<v Speaker 4>We need to vote this year. We need to vote

0:20:15.880 --> 0:20:18.960
<v Speaker 4>every year. Your local jurisdiction will decide the zoning for

0:20:19.000 --> 0:20:23.879
<v Speaker 4>that next property. Your governors, your mayors, people in policy

0:20:23.960 --> 0:20:27.480
<v Speaker 4>elected policy places can do a lot of good to

0:20:27.600 --> 0:20:30.720
<v Speaker 4>advance supportive housing. They can do a lot of good

0:20:31.040 --> 0:20:34.159
<v Speaker 4>to help us create more inclusive communities and healthcare and

0:20:34.200 --> 0:20:37.119
<v Speaker 4>employment and education. And they can do a lot of

0:20:37.160 --> 0:20:40.919
<v Speaker 4>harm too, knowingly or unknowingly, unravel all the good we

0:20:41.480 --> 0:20:44.480
<v Speaker 4>in the charitable nonprofit sector and other sectors have done.

0:20:44.560 --> 0:20:47.800
<v Speaker 4>So it's really important that we get out there and

0:20:47.920 --> 0:20:50.760
<v Speaker 4>vote the spectrum and you think about it, think spectrum

0:20:50.760 --> 0:20:53.760
<v Speaker 4>of autism, spectrum of disabilities, and when you think about

0:20:53.760 --> 0:20:56.080
<v Speaker 4>the spectrum between red and blue, we can get it

0:20:56.160 --> 0:20:58.639
<v Speaker 4>right for a lot of communities and a lot of people.

0:20:58.960 --> 0:21:01.159
<v Speaker 4>And so that's what we're inuring people to do. And

0:21:01.520 --> 0:21:04.440
<v Speaker 4>I've got bookmarks and I've got stickers for you too,

0:21:05.200 --> 0:21:08.240
<v Speaker 4>and we hope that you use them, and we definitely will.

0:21:08.280 --> 0:21:11.200
<v Speaker 4>We're eager to help spread the word not only based

0:21:11.200 --> 0:21:13.720
<v Speaker 4>on our example here in Arizona, but in states across

0:21:13.720 --> 0:21:16.840
<v Speaker 4>the country. And they can go to vote the Spectrum

0:21:16.920 --> 0:21:20.280
<v Speaker 4>dot org to learn more and download our toolkit and

0:21:20.560 --> 0:21:22.359
<v Speaker 4>learn about some of the people and some of the

0:21:22.400 --> 0:21:25.400
<v Speaker 4>messages that we have to convey because people with disabilities

0:21:25.440 --> 0:21:26.880
<v Speaker 4>they have a lot to say.

0:21:27.040 --> 0:21:29.880
<v Speaker 3>And do me a favor to.

0:21:30.400 --> 0:21:35.040
<v Speaker 5>The first Place website, the global one that you mentioned.

0:21:35.080 --> 0:21:36.200
<v Speaker 3>Let's make sure people.

0:21:36.160 --> 0:21:39.200
<v Speaker 4>That would be first place global dot org and spell

0:21:39.200 --> 0:21:42.040
<v Speaker 4>out first first place global dot org.

0:21:41.960 --> 0:21:45.280
<v Speaker 1>Okay, and they can go there and get more information

0:21:45.560 --> 0:21:48.680
<v Speaker 1>on first Place, more information on you, more information on

0:21:48.720 --> 0:21:56.199
<v Speaker 1>how they can have some meaningful, impactful, actionable steps in

0:21:56.240 --> 0:21:59.679
<v Speaker 1>their lives that help, you know, make a difference for

0:22:00.080 --> 0:22:03.240
<v Speaker 1>not just individuals that are dealing with autism, but you know,

0:22:03.320 --> 0:22:07.760
<v Speaker 1>families again, communities and you know, doing the right thing

0:22:07.880 --> 0:22:10.439
<v Speaker 1>just because it's the kind thing. So thank everyone for listening.

0:22:10.440 --> 0:22:12.960
<v Speaker 1>Thank you all for listening. I've been your host Rams's Jah.

0:22:12.760 --> 0:22:15.480
<v Speaker 2>He's still Ramsy's Jah. I'm Qward most of the time.

0:22:15.480 --> 0:22:20.320
<v Speaker 2>I'm definitely que Ward today in their presence of Esteemed Company. Yes,

0:22:20.720 --> 0:22:22.720
<v Speaker 2>thank you for allowing us to be a part of

0:22:22.760 --> 0:22:25.359
<v Speaker 2>this conversation. And hopefully this is something that continues. I

0:22:25.400 --> 0:22:27.760
<v Speaker 2>know Ramsyes will insist, but I want you to. I

0:22:27.800 --> 0:22:28.919
<v Speaker 2>want to be able to look at you in the

0:22:28.920 --> 0:22:30.679
<v Speaker 2>eyes and let you know that I want to be

0:22:30.760 --> 0:22:32.800
<v Speaker 2>as involved in as much of a resource as I

0:22:32.840 --> 0:22:33.400
<v Speaker 2>can as well.

0:22:33.480 --> 0:22:37.800
<v Speaker 1>So thanks Ki, He's telling the truth and for everyone else,

0:22:37.960 --> 0:22:40.440
<v Speaker 1>do us a favor. Hit the website Civiccipher dot comic

0:22:40.480 --> 0:22:43.119
<v Speaker 1>download this in any previous episode. You can also submit

0:22:43.160 --> 0:22:46.320
<v Speaker 1>any questions any topics. Make a donation. The show grows

0:22:46.359 --> 0:22:50.160
<v Speaker 1>with your support. Tap into us all of our social media.

0:22:50.240 --> 0:22:52.160
<v Speaker 1>For those that missed our live for the pop out

0:22:52.160 --> 0:22:54.800
<v Speaker 1>with Kidd and Friends, that's on YouTube at YouTube dot com.

0:22:54.800 --> 0:22:57.480
<v Speaker 1>Slash Civic Cipher and until next week, y'all peace,