ABOUT US

 My diagnosis was important because I felt like a misfit and couldn't figure out why I felt so different from everyone else. I noticed at a young age that kids who were obviously challenged, such as physically handicapped, nonverbal, or having down syndrome, etc., weren’t treated the same as I was. These people seemed to think that it was cool to ostracize or poke fun at people like me; people who looked just like them; people who even spoke at a much higher level of vocabulary; or people who were far more advanced in math. The only skill people like me lacked was socializing, and I guess they thought it gave them some sort of permission to mistreat me.
Not long after, I began to research and discovered that the "not so social" part of myself was actually a "thing" with a name! At this point, I no longer felt like a weirdo. However, by the end of 4th grade, I began to feel as if I didn’t belong and my friends began to pull away. I felt like I no longer fit in, and things worsened. My life at school was miserable for the next two years. I tried to find ways to cope by hanging out with younger children to whom I could relate. It felt okay for a while, but it quickly turned sour. Adults expected me to be the "older and mature" one, not realizing I was on their level, which is why I chose to be with them. I gave up on socializing at that point, and I felt a wave of deep peace wash over me. I didn't even feel lonely. It felt perfect and better this way.
When I think back on my former peers' behavior, it was probably because they were maturing according to benchmarks, whereas I was totally confused and had no idea what was going on. It was as if a light switch was flipped, and I became an annoying kid to everyone. People no longer wanted to sit next to me anymore. They made jokes about me that I didn't understand. And to this day, I couldn’t tell you those jokes because I couldn’t understand them. I didn't feel like I could connect with people, but I did feel like I could connect with characters in books. I grew to learn and understand them. I also felt more empathy for animals than most people. When I was younger, I noticed that adults liked me, but I felt indifferent about them because I didn’t feel the same admiration or connection to them that they exhibited towards me.
During 3rd grade, I attended a social skills group, which I liked, but the children were not like me. I mean, that's the best I could say at the time: "they were not like me". Even so, I felt as if I didn’t belong. Now that I've grown, and gained a better understanding, I realized that they were more severe than I was.
After my parents filed a lawsuit against our public school system, I was placed at The Cove School in 7th grade. To my surprise, I felt welcomed in ways I never imagined possible! They loved them some me! Even though I excelled academically, I avoided large events. Laughingly, I often ditched Girls Group (a social skills group). They finally let me be in my junior year. I'd finally found a place where I belonged, a "cove".
After graduating from high school, I embarked upon a career as a pastry chef and I attended The French Pastry School of Chicago. I wasn’t particularly nervous, but I was at a loss for words when I overheard people talking to each other as if they knew each other, although most of them had never met! It was beyond my understanding. I felt as if I had received a reality check of the "real world".
With the help of a now dear friend named Tina, I succeeded in completing my programs at The French Pastry School of Chicago. I do use my skills at home, but not in a regular professional setting like most adults. Due to my various disabilities and challenges, it is difficult for me to work in a fast-paced, overstimulating, crowded, and demanding environment. That is why my mother and I founded "I Am Me", a safe haven for myself and many others like me!
I Am Me is a place where we can excel, become more productive citizens, and enjoy life. 

I have matured a lot. Some of it has come with age and by learning what I want to do.  While there are qualities that those with ASD tend to share, no two people on the spectrum are exactly the same!  I realized that you have to figure out what is for you!  Then, make things work for you  when it comes to how you want to function both socially and in everyday life.  I don't like having a lot of friends. Friends are a lot of work.  I like having a best friend who knows me well and I know them well. Someone I can literally talk to about anything and not be prejudiced.  I am obsessed with the Harry Potter World. I wanted someone who when it came to the wizarding world knew as much as I did or even more so I could then have in depth conversations. Someone close to me found a Harry Potter group for me online. It completed me because they also like Harry Potter! It doesn't tire me out because I'm not trying to form close relationships with anyone.  It's all about having nice conversations about the series, sharing information, getting other's opinions and answering questions!  My favorite activity is playing games with the group.  

 I find it is important in life to be happy with who you are and see the good in yourself.  For example, I have a kind spirit.  I have great love for animals and I always feel so much compassion for them.   

I enjoy baking a lot, however it is hard to enjoy when others are trying to tell you what you should be doing and how to do it, causing  you unnecessary stress.  Once I discovered what I really enjoyed baking and was very good at it became easier and most enjoyable!  I enjoy baking cookies both regular and decorative ones. I like making brownies and fresh pound cakes both iced and plain! I received an Easy Bake Oven at the age of 6 and started baking sugar cookies for my brother who discovered that he really liked them!  Whenever he requested them I was so excited and honored to bake them!  My mom taught me how to bake homemade pound cakes, the first cakes I had ever made!  I also love making cupcakes.  I find it is best to perfect what you like to create and focus on what you are good at and then when you are ready to branch out to something new do just that.    

My dream of I Am Me  is being a great place where we have all the resources to help those we serve with whatever they need to help them succeed in life!  It could be something small like a social skills group or as large as career opportunities, or simply a safe and friendly place to live on their own.  I want to help those we serve to be accomplished, proud, and successful! I want I Am Me to be the place that "makes it happen!"  

I also have the dream of using my voice for animations, voice overs, and the like!  I often use my voice to speak for my pets which is quite entertaining.  Everyone can have dreams regardless of disabilities or other challenges.  I Am Me will be a great place to help others to be successful in many many ways!

Follow Me On Instagram & Check Out My Awesome Baking Creations @KeyannaCooperwood

 I can say a lot about me but this is my letter I wrote to Keyanna because her uniqueness inspired our non-profit organization:

From the time you were growing inside, everything seemed so unique. You were calm, comfortable, and slept all day. You were up most of the night but yet barely moving, calm, cool, and serene.

As I struggled through the sometimes quiet, dark, and unsure days of your growing up, I read many books, articles, and blogs, praying many days for an understanding. I delicately nurtured you like a bird with a broken wing. I learned from you to stop, quiet myself, and think about what my grandmother would do. She always listened, reassured, and assisted/instructed. I knew you were fragile, so I was gently attentive towards you.

As you grew, things were again very different from the start. As time passed and the school started, you were not a happy camper; you were simply going through the motions. As the years passed by, I fought to get you the help you desperately needed from our school system. Some, not all, refused to do their job, and the system just didn’t have the necessary programs. I knew that once I filed due process, my dream job at one of the best schools in Chicago at that time would come to an end. However, I had to think of you. I had my chance. It was now or never! My grandmother wanted to live long enough to ensure that I could care for myself once she was gone, and upon graduating and being hired by CPS in 1993, she died two weeks later. 

My job as a parent was to ensure that you succeeded in life, and that included socially, emotionally, academically, being skilled in areas of interest, having a solid foundation of love, and having a strong support system so you could be all you desired to be. I recall telling my dad one day that when he was old, I was going to take care of him, and he simply said, "you are taking care of me when you take care of yourself," and I thought, how profound! My child, that is my goal for you! Even if you require some assistance, I want you to be able to fully enjoy life, fulfilling your dreams as you help others.

My dream is of a place where you and others like you can belong, flourish, shine, produce, teach, reach, learn, and excel. Together, we will make this happen! Yes, you can be a productive, successful citizen. It will be a place suitable for those diagnosed with ASD-Asperger's syndrome (high functioning) to receive accommodations, employment support, resources, training, housing facilities, financial literacy, and the "I Can Do It!" mentality! 

"I Am Me" will be that place! I knew I would have to change my life as I knew it, and I am thrilled! So, let’s do this!