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Season 2 NEURODIVERSITY - Episode 3: The Heart Behind Mingle Co: Vee's Mission to End Isolation (Violeta Abarzua Vasquez - Event Manager, Advocate, Podcaster, Film Maker)
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"Sometimes I feel things very intensely," reveals Violeta Abarzua Vasquezas she shares her journey of discovering neurodivergence in both herself and her children. This revelation transformed not only her understanding of her family but sparked the creation of Mingle Co – an organisation dedicated to building genuine connection for neurodivergent people.
After 21 years working across the disability sector, Vee noticed a critical gap: many neurodivergent individuals desperately wanted meaningful connections but found traditional social spaces overwhelming and alienating. Drawing from her own experiences of feeling "complicated" and "quirky," she designed events where sensory needs are anticipated, fidgets are welcomed, and deep conversations replace uncomfortable small talk. The result? Spaces where people can truly be themselves – sometimes for the first time in their lives.
Vee's approach to parenting her neurodivergent children offers powerful insights for families. When her daughter was diagnosed with ADHD at 18, V reflected on the words she'd spoken years earlier: "I love how you see the world. Don't change for anyone." These simple words had profoundly impacted her daughter who had always felt "out of place." Similarly, understanding her four-year-old son's PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) transformed daily challenges by respecting his need for autonomy.
Perhaps most inspiring is Vee's vision for the future – a world where inclusivity isn't an afterthought but fundamentally woven into our schools, workplaces, and social spaces. "Inclusivity helps everyone, absolutely everyone," she emphasizes. Through her events, podcast, and award-winning documentary celebrating neurodivergent stories, Vee isn't just talking about change – she's creating it, one connection at a time.
Discover how embracing different ways of seeing the world can transform lives. Listen now and consider: how might we all contribute to creating spaces where everyone truly belongs?
mingleco.com.au
https://mingleco.com.au/community-podcast/
Documentary Information on Mingleco website
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
Chapters
1. Meet Violeta: Founder of Mingle Co (00:00:00)
2. Understanding Neurodivergence: A Personal Journey (00:04:45)
3. Creating Sensory-Friendly Social Spaces (00:11:57)
4. Parenting Neurodivergent Children with Acceptance (00:19:20)
5. Documentary Dreams: Celebrating Neurodivergent Stories (00:32:56)
6. Hope for an Inclusive Future (00:40:50)
83 episodes
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