The Westra Family; Vicky, Pier, and their 25 year-old daughter Gabbi Westra, will be sharing their journey with Autism through a free 1-hour session introducing the community to their Families in the Green Zone (FIGZ) membership program.
Gabbi was diagnosed with Autism at the age of four. At the time, she was a non-speaker who could not communicate what she needed. Her lack of speech resulted in very negative behaviors that her parents couldn’t understand nor deal with effectively.
Vicky’s desire to understand the diagnosis led her to start Artistas Café and Autism Shifts (501(c)3, both programs designed to help young adults with Autism prepare for employment. Recently re-branded as NeuroShifts (formerly Autism Shifts), the renewed mission is to create exponential “shifts” in the Neurodiverse community, many of whom live in what can be referred to as the “Red Zone,” a place of anxiety, stress, and fear which often accompanies the diagnosis.
On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at 5:00 PM EST, they are launching their new FIGZ (Family In the Green Zone) Membership program via Zoom to help families find their “Green Zone”, which describes the place of greatest emotional and mental well-being. “Our message to families experiencing life in the “Red Zone” is that we know where you are, because we’ve been there too,” states Vicky Westra. “However, we know that you can make the shift to the “Green Zone”, where you can experience hope for the future, develop expectations for positive outcomes, and be a part of a positive and uplifted community.”
If you are interested in joining the FIGZ Launch Party, go to www.neuro-shifts.org or contact them at info@neuroshifts.org.