Ode to Ma

My mother has been one of the most formative forces in my life, not only as a parent, but as a pioneer. At a time when autism was deeply misunderstood and stigmatized in Aruba, she refused to accept the limitations others had created for me. She introduced me to various learning methods, such as horse therapy. She advocated for my visibility, and ensured I had access to resources that simply didn’t exist in mainstream Aruban society at the time.

Because of her determination, I had the opportunity to speak openly about autism on television and in magazines; helping to shift the conversation in a country where these discussions were considered taboo.

Her commitment to my education was just as unwavering. When traditional schooling couldn’t meet my needs, she took matters into her own hands through homeschooling, guiding me all the way to becoming the first Aruban student to graduate from my high school.

That achievement belongs to both of us, and I carry it with me as a testament to what becomes possible when a mother refuses to give up on her child.

Beyond everything she has done for me practically, my mother is someone I deeply admire as a person. She is whimsical, passionate, and fiercely intelligent: someone who approaches life with a boldness that has always inspired me. Professionally and personally, she has shown me what it means to pursue your convictions with heart. She is, in every sense, my role model.

-Amanda