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Self Advocacy through the Mental Health System!
September 25 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
I’ll tell a brief story about my experience in the Mental Health system from being hospitalized, homeless, and going through the process of seeking services to help me achieve stability. Housing, and supportive employment. I’ll discuss the limitations of these support programs, and how important it is to advocate for what we need.
Presenter: Shalese Heard
Shalese Nicole Heard is the author of Neurodivergent Millionaire, the FIRST and ONLY financial book that addresses the Neurodivergent struggle.
Shalese is an online influencer who creates content teaching Autistic people how to travel the world, advocate for themselves and build financial freedom for themselves.
Shalese’s career is a bit unconventional. She’s spent most of her career self employed with various entrepreneurial ventures. Struggling to get a job after graduation; she created her OWN job. She created her own car rental business renting out her cars on a car sharing platform. What started out as a side hustle ended up as a full time living that allowed her the freedom to travel the world. She has worked on/off as a Geologist. Eventually she has turned her social media endeavors (YouTube, writing, consulting, speaking) into viable income streams.
Throughout her career journey, she struggled with finding her place professionally as an Autistic person. She also realized the importance of financial freedom as an Autistic person, that being financially free is imperative for our self esteem, mental and physical health.
Her own experiences made her passionate about showing other Autistic people ways to create financial freedom for themselves. It all began with her drive and tenacity to find income streams to fund her special interest: world travel. In her spare time, she enjoys fashion, jumping waves at the beach, going to the spa and cooking new recipes