Urban Grandstand Digital: I want to use this as a segway into your foundation. You've been very vocal about your son being diagnosed with Autism. How hard was it for you to make the decision of sharing that with the world? You have so many critics, and people with things to say and opinions.
Meelah: It was very hard. It took a minute. I’ve been approached to do reality tv for quite some time, and I kept passing up the opportunity. i wanted it to be the right platform. I wasn’t always sure that when I did choose to do reality my son and his condition would be at the forefront or be mentioned at all. I didn’t know if I wanted to do that because some things you do want to keep private. But after praying it out, and seeing the bigger picture and understanding my purpose, I realized that he is the way that he is so that I can share because I do have this platform. I’m happy I made the decision. I feel that God blessed me with my son to be able to encourage and uplift other parents. It’s not about just singing and selling units. I realize that in my daily walk and being a human being. It’s more than being platinum. It’s a bigger purpose now. I thank God that I see that. So I made the decision, and I realize that it was a good thing. Yes, people are going to have something to say. But I get so many people that come up to me randomly, and I forget sometimes. They walk up to me and thank me for sharing my story. I have so many people on social media sharing their stories about their special needs children. Some parents have more than one special needs child. You just realize like, wow, you feel like you’re going through so much, then here’s all these other stories that make you say wow. My son is going through just a percentage of what some other parents’ children are going through. It just really touches me. That’s one of the reasons why I chose to establish my foundation P.R.O.U.D. (Parents Reaching Out to Understand Development Delays). It’s like, it’s breath-taking. I try to respond to everybody on social media about their children. For me, I sleep so well at night. Forget all the negativity, like, the fact that these parents thank me, and say I motivate and encourage them, it speaks volumes.
Urban Grandstand Digital: I think it’s definitely very encouraging, even for me, and I’m not dealing with a special needs child. I do have several friends who are, and one in particular is going through so many struggles to get assistance and be able to move forward and work. It’s so much for her, so I can only imagine. But seeing you not only deal with it yourself, but then take the time to help and encourage others, it’s nothing short of encouraging.
Meelah: Well thank you. Like you said, getting assistance and having people to understand and see the things you see is tough. Thankfully, I’m in a position that I’m not on a fixed income and I have a support system, but it’s still tough. These things are expensive; the bills. the services, the private sessions your children need for their development. It’s costly. Insurance or no insurance, it’s a lot. I want to help in any way I can. I want to do stuff for parents to just let their hair down. It’s a lot. Then with working parents, I can only imagine. It’s not easy. And although I may not have a 9 to 5, just getting back out there and promoting myself as a new artist pretty much, it’s a struggle. It’s not easy. Having to win the people over as an artist and then be a special needs mom on top of it. Making sure he’s good because he’s my number one, it can be very trying, but now I’m doing it all for him. I’m good. I have my days where I’m tired of the hustle, but God didn’t bring me this far to give up.
Urban Grandstand Digital: How does the average family get involved with your foundation? Is it based out of Atlanta, or Vegas since that’s where you’re from? How does someone across the world needing that support get involved?
25
2