We recently connected with LaTonya Winfrey and have shared our conversation below.
: Hi LaTonya, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
Empathy. The capacity to understand and share the feelings of another. To place oneself in another’s position. I did not know how much that characteristic would come in handy until my son was diagnosed with Autism, It affected his speech, his ability to communicate with others. Somehow, though, we had our own language. He could make it clear for me whether that involved repeating words he already knew, pointing, gestures, and facial expressions. It is funny how the world judges what we do not understand, in whatever aspect. Going through our own journey, we took the little we knew about Autism and chose to share our experiences. This led to the development of our nonprofit organization, Happy: Joseph’s Journey. Created during a time when the world stood still, we decided this would be the perfect time to launch. Because of social distancing restrictions, we began with our Virtual Learning Series, offering topics such as: Navigating the Journey: A Mother’s Perspective, Autism 101, and Financial Planning for Persons with Disabilities. We use each and every opportunity to inform others about Autism, building relationships and networks along the way. We use our past struggles to give other parents, caregivers and families an easier way to navigate their own journies.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Happy: Joseph’s Journey is a community of Autism Advocates that aims to offer inclusive opportunities to educate, empower, enrich, and celebrate individuals on the spectrum, their families, and communities. We educate by providing online workshops, seminars, and classes for families, instructors and individuals in the field of education or with autism and other developmental disabilities. We empower and enrich by organizing social and recreational activities and events to promote awareness, inclusions, and integration of individuals with autism. We celebrate with our annual Bowling for Autism Awareness event and awards program for major corporations and individuals who have made significant contributions to our mission. We are currently investigating the need for postsecondary options, academic and vocational, for the community that we serve.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
As I look back on my journey, I believe there were three qualities that were most impactful in my journey, not just personally, but professionally. First, empathy is highly important. Being able to place yourself in someone else’s shoes will change your vision and mission. Sometimes, we get so comfortable in the place we are in, we cannot help to see or feel anything but that. I’ve used my experiences to help advocate for more inclusive environments, whether school, church, work, etc. Secondly, kindness is the key for me to push through any situation. I try to find the positive in every situation, even those that are filled with dark clouds. Some people are hanging on to life by a thread. They are looking for a glimmer of hope. One action, one word, could change the trajectory of a hopeless situation. If you cannot do anything else, be kind. Finally, my ability to build and sustain relationships has been everything for me since a child. I am the person that loves reunions, remembers people’s names (for the most part), and loves to be at places or events where we can talk about “the good old days”. I am a rarity, a unicorn, homegrown, born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. I still keep in touch with my elementary through college friends, coworkers, summer camp friends, and church members. Everyone has something to offer. I have learned so much. My advice would be to observe and listen. Listen to the stories. Listen to what the hearts says. Observe what their actions say. Sometimes, it matches, and other times it does not. In the words of a deacon of my church, “Make sure my audio matches my video.” People need empathy. People need kindness. People need someone to just make the time to build relationships. What a wonderful world we still can be.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I am feeling overwhelmed with the stressors of life, I pause. I am working on making myself a priority. Some strategies that have worked for me are: listening to music, taking a long drive, writing creatively, taking in a movie, even dancing in the rain. Prioritize making time for yourself because if you do not, no one else will. Have children? Reach out to your village. Block off some time and make arrangements. People are more willing to assist when they can plan ahead. No one knows how valuable self-care is until they really need it. Once you are truly able to enjoy it, you will look forward to incorporating it into your routine on a regular basis.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.josephshappy.com
- Instagram: @josephsjourney
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josephsjourney1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC17siC7tEHzO5c_Qob_SklA
Image Credits
Credits: LaTonya Winfrey, Jonathan Snorten
