Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiarra Grey.
Kiarra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
At the age of eleven years old, I was blessed with a superhero as a brother. His name is Myles Kywin Houston, and his superhero power is Down-syndrome. What makes him so super is the fact that you feel his love when he walks in the building, his energy fills the room even a compass doesn’t know how to navigate around it, and last but not least his heart is honest.
My family has been fortunate enough to provide for all of my brother needs, yet the one thing we can’t give him is friends. Or should I say true authentic genuine every day, text, talk, FaceTime, sleepover type friends. Don’t get me wrong Myles is the life of every party, and during the school year, he has friends.
But society has labeled him and others like him to where families and individuals are apprehensive or unaware that he is just as able, so no one takes time out to get to truly know him. And that notion in return makes parents and families of the disability community timid and afraid to allow their child out in the world. Because the world isn’t accepting of how super the disability community is.
That’s why I am here today. Myles has never had a lot of real friends, been to a sleepover or a school game with HIS friends, he’s only been with me, his big sister. And as his sister, I wanted to give him and other families with disabilities a place to come to, and make true genuine friendships.
I am where I am today because I believe disability families need a community to embrace them. In our society, people can be ignorant and dismissive of the disability community. But the disabled are ABLE and willing to do just as much as the able-bodied person, yet they are constantly looked over. Myles Kywin League is creating an avenue for families to connect, for kids to bond and for the community to grow stronger together. As the Voice of the Disability community, it is my duty to ensure my brother and all the other members of the disabilities community are heard, seen and comfortable.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has not been smooth at all; there have been many ups and many downs. My biggest struggle is getting disability families registered. What’s a program, without people? It’s very difficult to register families when I can’t meet with them face to face. My passion and commitment come through in my words, but they touch the heart when someone can see my face. Using social media and word of mouth helps but is still a challenge. Parents are apprehensive to sign their children up for the MKL. I say this because they would be positioning their kids in a space where they are publicized and because they have endured traumatizing events in their lives. I believe parents want to protect their superhero from anything else.
I believe we have to show the world, as a family, that we are strong and prosperous despite what someone may see in the physical. That’s another reason why our age limit is 0-99, we believe everyone who wants to participate can and should be able to come to our family where they feel loved and uplifted. At the Myles Kywin League, we embrace you with open arms, after all, we are Family.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Myles Kywin League – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
At the Myles Kywin League, we are a family of people with Disabilities, we aim to improve the quality of life for families, adults, and children with a physical or mental limitation by providing opportunities for inclusion in recreational events and activities in the community.
Most proud of: My community and even more proud that after only a month of operating the city of Desoto has partnered with the MKL to implement an inclusion program for the disability community.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Register more families for the program.
The official launch of Myles Place Foundation.
Obtain a 501c3 status for the Myles Place Foundation.
Create scholarships for our families who want to and are able to continue their education.
Create jobs and job training.
Obtain more partnerships with other cities.
Host support groups monthly for parents, co-parents and all who help with raising children.
Bring more awareness to the community.
Get more people involved in various roles.
Have a lot of fun and create new friendships, because we are a Family!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.myleskywinleague.com/
- Phone: 9728349957
- Email: Kgreymkl@gmail.com
- Instagram: MylesKywinLeague
- Facebook: Myles Kywin League
- Twitter: MylesKLeague
- Other: https://www.gofundme.com/f/MylesKywinLeagueNP?sharetype=teams&member=2393298&rcid=r01-15611764964-d363506051f94d6a&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_w
Image Credit:
#mklStrong, #mklFamily, #capableKids
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