We recently connected with Ria Lopez and have shared our conversation below.
Ria, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
My son and my daughter, without a doubt. Knowing that life is going to have added challenges for them due to the worlds ignorance about disabilities and nero-developmental disorders.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
When going through the diagnosis process with my son, pregnant with my daughter and feeling very helpless with the various voilent and self harming behaviors my toddler son was experiencing. I went through a very difficult mental health decline, feeling very alone and so afraid of what my son’s future may look like as well as wondering if my daughter would have those same challenges.
That dark time I had to dig my way back up and keep going because giving up just wasn’t something that was an option for me. Knowing what it felt like to be abandoned by my parent(s), at a young age. There’s no way in hell that would happen to my babies. Eventually I found my outlet and way to transmute all the pain and frustration I was experiencing during that time. I started connecting with other families that had beautiful children that happen to have disabilities as well. Meet ups at local parks began and for the first saw my son, just be a kid and play with a peer. Not just play but be accepted and honestly could not get enough.
What started as play group for Special needs families with 4 local families son turned into a non profit with 1900 local families. To date we have provided 600 meet ups events and celebrations helping each family never fall into the depths of depression and isolation so many unfortunately know so well.
Special Needs CommUNITY of Northern Nevada Sncnn.org
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Find your people, and if you can’t build the community and they will find you!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Special Needs CommUNITY of Northern Nevada is always looking for awesome awareness and acceptance campaign partnerships! I want to bring more awareness and make sure this demographic isn’t left behind any longer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Sncnn.org
- Instagram: Sncommunityofnn
- Facebook: Sncommunityofnn
- Linkedin: Sncommunityofnn@gmail.com
- Twitter: Sncommunityofnn@gmail.com
- Youtube: Sncommunityofnn@gmail.com
- Yelp: Sncommunityofnn@gmail.com
- Soundcloud: Sncommunityofnn@gmail.com
- Other: https://Sncnn.org
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
