Please remember her legacy by these life lessons:
- Be an advocate for something you believe in with the heart of a mother love
- Share your children, especially with your amazing sister and trust the people that love and care for them
- Let other people be your tech support
- Listen to your mother, she may lead you in a great direction
- Love life passionately, laugh out loud, love unconditionally
Give back, volunteer, donate money, blood or time
Even if things aren’t going your way…..choose to be happy, and smile! - Never pay full price, get a deal, and turn a $1 into $20
- Dance, laugh, drink wine and have fun
- Dream big, Believe in yourself, and Just do it
- See the world, travel, enjoy the beauty around you…..if you don’t have the funds, and find the deal!
- Develop lifetime friends
- Build your “people” and love them like family
"Reach for the Stars"
Love, Hope and Autism
Inspired by an email received about for the AHRC Annual Fundraiser “Reach for the Stars!” The fundraiser than unbeknownst to me my sister Jackie Joyce-Troy named. She was always passionate about helping thus with special needs. I painted this in loving admiration, and respect in memory of her life, despite the challenges she overcame she choose JOY everyday.
There is a lot of symbolism in this painting, that only some may get. When your child gets diagnosed with autism or on the spectrum. It’s hard to Accept. Many parents struggle with their new reality, while others put “one foot in front of the other” and climb every mountain for their child.
My Sister Jackie did just that, she fought like a lioness protecting her cubs but found an Autism program provided by AHRC Nassau. That literally let her boys Brian and Aidan “Reach for the Stars”.
I am eternally grateful for ever teacher, residential staff, community members, love, kindness and respect for my nephews keeping them happy, safe and learning. Your all Angels on earth and you have one looking over you now with my sister.
I always said when my nephews moved into the residential program ten years ago, it was like winning the lottery. I can tell you that is an understatement it’s a MIRACLE. It would be miss if I didn’t call out how incredibly supportive the residential staff was for my nephews during their mother’s illness and after her passing – Led by Maudeline Brevil.
Maudeline Brevil is an amazing young women who is kind, respectful and loves the autistic boys in the house she manages part of the BCCS Residential program. She continued to go above and beyond for my sister’s boys to help them thru their grieving process. I can tell you without her these boys wouldn’t have bounced back to happy!
Her work inspires me everyday and I am thankful, I have her in our life.
#autism #AHRCNassau #ParentsAssociationofBCCSBrookville
AHRC Nassau
Brookville Center for Children's Services
Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America- NSASA
Reach for the Stars
12"H X 12" W
Acrylic on canvas