Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

‘I have Tourette syndrome, OCD, ADHD and epilepsy. So, I can definitely understand feeling like you don’t have a voice.’

Wheatley Heights

“A lot of wake-up calls happened during COVID. In no way was it a good time for anybody. But the one positive that I can take from it was it gave me that time to really research how to start a business where I could help people exactly the way that I want to.

“Not only did I come to a head where I realized it was time for me to leave my position where I was helping people with autism, but I realized that I didn’t want to work for others.

“I really wanted to start to build a business so I could give the quality attention to people that they deserve. The only way I was going to do that was by owning my own business.

“So, I literally — from home while COVID was occurring — was able to look up how to start a business. I looked into how to get an EIN [Employer Identification] number, how to get and create a website and how to list advertisements. I got a mentor and all of those things. I saw that what I’ve been doing all along has been life coaching.

I honestly think that that’s what happiness is — feeling important and having purpose.

“In addition to the autistic population, I also support the LGBTQ population. I feel like this group of people is underrepresented and needs someone to advocate for them. I offer exactly the same services. It’s not really daily living skills as much as helping you cope with your feelings. They might find it hard to talk to someone in the mental health field that can understand where they’re coming from.

“I myself am LGBTQI, so I understand exactly where this group of people is coming from. I have Tourette syndrome, OCD, ADHD and epilepsy. So, I can definitely understand feeling like you don’t have a voice. I want to be that voice.

“One thing that they’ve told me is that I make them feel safe. That’s honestly the number one thing that I would want for anybody, especially individuals that are vulnerable and in populations where they are underrepresented.

“I make them feel like they’re a person, like they matter and like they are positive and worthwhile. I honestly think that that’s what happiness is — feeling important and having purpose. All I do as a life coach is I mirror the positive things about them, and I help them get on the road to independence so they can feel a sense of purpose.”

Interviewed by Victoria Bell

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Faces of Long Island is produced by Newsday Consumer Marketing. This content does not involve the reporting and editing staff of Newsday’s Editorial Department.