#BreakingTheSilence at #LATISM13 {LATISM recap part 1}

On September 18, 2013 (on my 38th birthday) I stepped into The Waldorf Astoria for the very first time. For the 2nd year in a row, I was honored to be named one of LATISM's Top 100 Blogueras. And also, for the 2nd year in a row, I attended the LATISM conference.

I laughed, I cried, I learned and most of all I was inspired by the many voices of LATISM13. The women and men I met were courageous in breaking the silence and sharing their stories - from immigration, mental health, finding balance, obesity, chronic illness and special needs.

I wanted to share some of my highlights with you.

1. I got to meet the President of Iquana Films and film maker, Maria Aqui Carter. Carter's, recent documentary, REBEL, tells the untold story of Loreta Velazquez - a Civil War soldier and spy. Carter says "In a world where our Latino children grow up knowing little of Latino contributions to this country, it is imperative that we recuperate the stories of the incredible Latinos in American history, particularly biographies where we can connect with individual stories."

2. The Panel that should have been sponsored by Kleenex because by the end of the 60 minute session, there wasn't a dry eye in the room: "Work, Life and Balance: Se Puede," moderated by Helen Troncoso. The speakers included: Vicky Barrios, MSW, Jeannette Kaplun, Michelle Herrera Mulligan and Cynthia Santiago. The women spoke candidly and passionately about their personal lives, families and careers. One of my favorite takeaways from this panel was what Jeanette Kaplun said "I believe you can do it all, just not all by yourself and not all at once."

3. The Panel that inspired me to break the silence: "Mental Health: Breaking the Silence in the Latino Community" moderated by Pauline Campos. The speakers included  Helen Troncoso,  Pauline Campos, Nelly Maseda, Jes Sofia Valle and Ane Romero. Pauline Campos nailed it when she said "We are a family-oriented culture. But our tendency to sweep tough stuff under the rug needs to stop."

For years, I have struggled with depression, insecurity and anxiety. If you've been reading my writing for a while, maybe you've seen traces of it here and there. Last year, I hit bottom and decided it was time to get help. During my first therapy session, I explained everything I had gone through over the last 5 years and she said, "It sounds like you've experienced a lot of loss..." Seeing a therapist has been the best decision I could have made - not only for myself but for my family. Yet I found myself ashamed of being in therapy. I only told my closest friends (and it took me months to tell my mother). I hid it, as if it was weakness with me. 

It was during this panel that I had the courage to stand up and tell a room full of strangers that I had been in therapy for the last year. Seeking help for mental health is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of courage. In the coming months I plan to share more of my mental health journey here. 

4. Meeting Pauline Campos and hearing her story truly inspired me. She is funny, fearless and passionate about raising awareness on mental health in the Latino community. Her blog Girl Body Pride empowers women and girls to love their bodies and accept themselves just the way they are. 

5. One of the best parts about attending conferences is connecting with my online friends in real life! It's always such a treat to see Jeannette Kaplun.  What can I say about Jeannette that hasn't been said a million times over? She's an award-winning journalist, author, TV host, spokesperson, public speaker and Latina blogger. Jeannette is just a genuine person and I'm grateful for her support and her friendship.

 Who inspired you at LATISM13? 
  

from top to bottom, left to right: (1) Maria Aqui Carter  (2) Helen Troncoso, Jeannette Kaplun, Maria Herrera Mulligan, Cynthia Santiago, Vicky Barrios (3) Helen Troncoso,  Pauline Campos, Nelly Maseda, Jes Sofia Valle, Ane Romero (4) Pauline Campos (5) Jeannette Kaplun

More LATISM photos and inspiration to come this week! 

#DonateAPhoto & Help Protect a Child from Bullying | #JnJ

Earlier this month I attended the LATISM conference in New York City. While there, I stopped by the Johnson & Johnson's suite. Aside from their products that I love, I admire that J&J uses social media for social good and encourages YOU to do the same. 

With their new Donate a Photo app, you can help make a difference.

For every photo you share, Johnson & Johnson donates $1 to a cause you want to help - which does things like fix up a public park, get medicine for an infant, or help kids play sports safely. You choose the cause you want to help, Johnson & Johnson makes it happen.

You can donate one photo a day, every day. With a photo a day, you’ll make a difference by raising money and awareness for causes you care about. Share with your friends and you’ll help your causes meet their goals faster.

October is Bully Awareness Month and I am donating my photos to help prevent a child from bullying. What cause do you want to help?   

Find out more about the Donate A Photo app - HERE. The app is available for iOS and Android. 

My Immigration Story: I Am Not an Immigrant, I Do Not Look American

My parents were born in Puerto Rico in the 1940s. For those that don't know, Puerto Rico is a small island in the Caribbean. The island became a United States territory in 1917 and Puerto Ricans became United States citizens.  

My parents arrived in New York in the late 1950s (obviously, not together - they were children and they hadn't met yet). They arrived by plane without passports; they arrived as United States Citizens. My mother spent her early years in downtown Manhattan (Chelsea), my father in The South Bronx.  

I was born on September 18th in Bellevue Hospital. If you know anything about Bellevue, it probably explains a lot about me. (That's NYC humor...) My mother likes to tell the story of how I was almost born in a New York City cab. It was the age before cell phones and beepers. My father was at work and couldn't be notified that his second child was about to be born. 

By definition, we are not immigrants. We are American.

But we don't look American. Not by some American standards. Our hair, eyes and skin is too dark. Our names are too long. Our clothes are too colorful. Our language is too loud. And our food has too much sazón.

I am not an immigrant but so often I feel like a foreigner in my own country. 

And there are times when I don't know where I fit in. 

I may not have a true understanding of the immigrant experience. But I understand the immigrant plight. The want for more. The need to do better. The desire to keep going even when society seems against you. The dream of opportunity. 

This country was built by immigrants. It was built on a dream - millions of them.

It's what I love about America. It's the land of opportunity. And New York - it's a city of bright lights and big dreams.  

No matter what country we are from, no matter what language we speak, no matter what color our skin - we all have a dream. And we should all have the right to pursue them. 

"Do to others as you would have them do to you." -
Norman Rockwell painting in United Nations

***

  

I am honored to have been recognized by LATISM as a Top Bloguera for the 2nd year in a row. Today the Top 100 2013 Blogueras visited the United Nations to discuss immigration issues. We were encouraged to share our immigration story. And later this week, we will attend the Latism13 Conference.

Life Beyond Diagnosis | I'm Speaking at #LATISM13

I am really excited about this year's Latinos in Tech Innovation & Social Media (LATISM) conference. This year is going to be extra special. 

This year is LATISM's 5th year and they are returning to New York City! Which means it's only a subway ride way for. And it's at the Waldorf Astoria.

It's September 19 - 21. My birthday is on the 18th so I get to celebrate my first days of my 38th year with some of my favorite bloggers.

I'm SPEAKING! I am truly honored for the opportunity to speak at LATISM.

I am truly grateful for all the opportunities LATISM has given me. I was recognized as a Top Bloguera and invited to a White House press conference. I was awarded the Best Latina Health Blogger at the LATISM12 Conference.   

Last year I was excited to present on the Blogging 101 session. But this year, I'll be on a panel discussing a passion much closer to my heart.  

Beyond Chronic Illness and Special Needs: Life Beyond Your Diagnosis
Saturday, September 21 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm

I'll be with four amazing Latinas: Eileen Carter-Campos, Christina McGeough, Eliana Tardio and Laurita Tellado. To learn about them and more on the panel topic click HERE.

To view the full agenda visit - http://conference.latism.org/agenda/

I cannot thank LATISM enough for giving me the opportunity to share my journey, to tell my son's story and to inspire others to share theirs. It is important that we do this. In the world of mainstream bloggers, a Latina blogging specifically about autism is rare. Two years ago when I attended the BlogHer Healthminder (Special Needs) day - I realized I was the only Latina in the room. A room of maybe 80 women - all special needs bloggers. I was the only one. And it bothered me. Because I know there are many Latina moms walking in my shoes. We need our stories heard too. 

So if you're a Latina Blogger and you blog about autism or raising a child with special needs - let a sistah know in the comments okay. Leave a link to your blog. I'd love to see you representing at a blog conference. And if you're in the NYC area - I hope to hug you at LATISM.  

But until then...join us for the weekly #latism Twitter Party tonight (Thursday) at 9:00pm EST! We’re talking HEALTH at #latism13!