|
Written by Johnay Hall
On April 30, 2022, Miranda Georgetown-Riley hosted and organized the 1st Rose Run for Autism Acceptance through the Magnolia Rose Foundation.
The Magnolia Rose Foundation is a non-profit whose vision is teaching inclusion and encouraging acknowledgment of developmental differences.
Ms. Riley discovered in her research that there are a limited number of organizations and programs in Baton Rouge, and Louisiana as a state, that provides fun, extra-curricular activities for autistic children and children with developmental disabilities. Her daughter, Magnolia Rose, loves to be active and run around so the 3K Rose Run for Autism Acceptance seemed like the perfect idea.
The Rose Run was an amazing success as more people than Miranda Georgetown-Riley and her husband Roderick Riley expected showed up to support the cause! The event opened with Mayor Darnell Waites leading a prayer over the event and thanked the Lord for the day, His mercy and grace over everyone's lives. The mayor asked the Lord to bless the families in attendance, to keep them covered and prayed over Magnolia Rose.
Miranda spoke on how humbled she was by the turnout of people, thanked those who came out, and stated that the motto is, “Normalizing autism in children one playdate at a time”. Mrs. Riley thanked the mayor as well as Councilman Dr. Charles Vincent for their support.
The 3K walk/run was in effect as Jasmine Haynes started everybody off with warm-up exercises through Natural Body by Jazz with music provided by Ashari Robinson. People were moving, shaking and laughing at themselves as they worked out to the music. After the warm-up, people walked the track 4 times, getting stamped each time, and then received a gift at the end.
There were tables set up by the East Baton Rouge Parish library where Rosie Beathley and Meleka Taylor sat to grant people with buttons, wristbands, and bags that supported autism inclusion.
The DreamCatchers LLC, which provides Applied Behavior Analysis services to children and teens diagnosed with Autism and related disorders in Louisiana, had face painting and sack racing.
WIC had a table set up as Samantha Husser, team leader, Iva Painia and Saeda Salim, breastfeeding peer counselors, educated families prenatal health care and breastfeeding with a roulette wheel that tested their knowledge and provide interesting facts.
The treat/gift table was held down by Khol Black, Bailey Davis, and Makenzi Gayle who provided muffins and water as well as their bubbly personality to all those who came over.
The Baker Fire Department was also in attendance, providing a secure and safe feeling to everyone.
 Mayor Waites opening the event with acknowledgments and prayer
Photo Credit: Willie Williams
 Magnolia Rose and Miranda Georgetown-Riley
Photo Credit: Willie Williams
 Miranda Georgetown-Riley and her husband Roderick Riley
Photo Credit: Willie Williams
 Natural Body by Jazz Warm-Up Session
Photo Credit: Willie Williams
 Left to Right: Candace Gordon (RBT), TaNia Lee (RBT), Flavor Robinson (RBT), Miranda Georgetown-Riley, Kwan Hood (RBT), Cassandra Ford (RBT), Tiara Jeanlouis (BCBA), Faith Harris (RBT)
Miranda Georgetown-Riley and the Dreamcatchers, LLC Team
RBT - Registered Behavioral Technicians
BCBA - Board Certified Behavioral Analysis
Photo Credit: Willie Williams
 Left to Right: Captain Ronald Brady, Lyrick Vessell (supervisor), Captain Jim Leger, Captain Andrew Roberts, Firefighter Abram Haynes (operator), Firefighter Jordan Harrison
Photo Credit: Johnay Hall
|
