Entrepreneur to raise autism awareness

Though Deannee Santiago is widely known on the local entertainment scene as comedian Trabass' former flame, the entrepreneur-social media personality is embarking on a new philanthropic effort.

Speaking with THE STAR recently, Deannee, 27, revealed that she will be looking to raise awareness around autism as the disorder holds a special place in her heart.

Deannee's younger sisters, Keke and Meme, are autistic, and she has been caring for the now 23-year-old twins all her life.

She doesn't see their disorder as a disability. Instead, she sees it as them having the freedom to live life to the fullest with no fear as they are unreservedly themselves.

However, having seen the difficulties they have faced, especially at the hands of people who do not understand their condition, Deannee wants to help change the rhetoric around autism in Jamaica.

JUST NEED HELP

"When I went to Jamaica, I was really surprised that most people didn't have a clue how to handle the people with autism. There were so many they would call 'mad people' on the streets, but I realised many of them could just be autistic and need help, and people have no idea," she said. "I want people to look at it (autism) in a different way. It's not something to look down on or be ashamed of because the condition doesn't choose anyone special. It's not genetic. It's one of those things that just happens. My sisters have been blessed to grow up in a space where they are loved. They feel our love every day and they aren't treated less. They know things. They created their own language. They are unique and special. I want people to treat every autistic person with the same love my sisters are showered with every day."

Deannee has identified the Adonijah Group of Schools, which she will be visiting on Thursday, to donate some much needed items and volunteer her time.

She said that while she saw quite a few schools that catered to autistic persons, she really liked Adonijah because of the connection she felt with the woman in charge.

"When I was talking to Ms James, the woman in charge, I really liked her energy. It wasn't a case where she wanted money because she didn't wanna take any money at all. She wanted us to obtain knowledge about autism and about the school and what they do, and so I was really moved that she was genuine and doing all she does from the heart," Deannee said.

Deannee will be using funds from her natural skin care line, Lulu's Holistics, to buy the items requested by the institution.

While she put plans in place to visit Adonijah, Deannee jump-started her awareness creation campaign by erecting five billboards across the Corporate Area dedicated to Autism Awareness Month, which was in April.