Neurodivergent Narratives - Writing Prompt #16

“My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.” —Ernest Hemingway

Right now, I’m supposed to be writing to you from Bogotá, Colombia, where I would have been working on an exciting new project with an incredible young woman from Venezuela. Thanks to Elon Musk, however, my US State Department Grant, administered by the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), was cut just 10 days before I was scheduled to fly. I was supposed to be collaborating with a young CEO from Venezuela and her organization, Main Character, a charity dedicated to empowering women by teaching them writing and publishing skills.

One of the best things about being a writer is the partnerships that come from it. Writing can often feel like a solo endeavor, but collaborations like this remind me just how powerful it is to connect with others who share a passion for words and storytelling. My partnership with Isis, the founder of Main Character, means so much to me—it’s not just about sharing skills, but about building a future where more voices, especially neurodivergent voices, can be heard and valued.

Our goal? Which would have been funded by the US State Department as a show of power and support, would have allowed us to create a course that would equip young women in Venezuela with the tools they need to become skilled writing and publishing assistants for US authors. This type of work used to be seen as a win-win. Fewer Venezuelans would need to seek asylum in the US if they had good paying jobs in their home country near friends and family. The alternative is what? Rounding up Venezuelans or people who are hanging out with Venezuelans and just shipping them to El Salvador with no due process?

Instead of funding deeply meaningful work that helps to bridge connections across borders through storytelling and skill-building, I was left watching the news and grieving for the glory days of Pax Americana.

Elon Musk can take my grant, but he can’t take my spirit. I still believe creation doesn’t have to be a solitary act—it can be a bridge to community, collaboration, and even global impact. If you’re looking for a way to build your confidence as a writer and connect with others who get it, Neurodivergent Narratives is here for you. Want to join us?

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