Today, we’d like to introduce you to Chanel Chera.
Hi Chanel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Even as a young girl, I would often think about how amazing life would be when I got married and started a family. Their first smile, first step, and their first words. The day I gave birth to my daughter Alice, my life changed. Here, I had the most beautiful and amazing baby girl, and I thought, “This is it. This is what I was made for.”
Like any other young mom, I had a group of friends with children the same age. We spent our mornings at mommy and me classes and afternoons having play dates. As our children developed, so did their milestones. I watched as my friend’s children started to meet these typical milestones, and I was sure Alice would, too. “She’s just a late bloomer!” friends and family would say, but deep down, I knew that wasn’t the case. This started me on the path of navigating the world of having a child with special needs. From therapy to therapy, school to school, I did what I was told. But the words never came. I told myself we would get through it. Even giving birth to a beautiful baby boy, Abie, six months after Alice’s 2nd birthday.
I was sure this child would be different. How could G-d give me another child with special needs? But as the saying goes, “Man Plans, G-d laughs.” Here I was again, feeling that same gut-wrenching feeling watching my friend’s babies surpass us with their milestones again. I had sprung into action yet again, doing whatever I could to fight what was going on, only to be met with COVID-19. This stopped our whole lives, therapies and school had abruptly stopped and unfortunately, so did their progress. The idea of subjecting our children to school closure and remote learning was unfathomable. We then made the choice to move our family to Florida in hopes of giving them a happier, more stress-free life.
I felt free. Free of all the stigma I felt in New York. Finally, I could let my children be themselves without the whispers and rude questions, “What do you mean they don’t talk?” In my search for places where my kids could really be themselves, I found We Rock the Spectrum in Davie, FL. An indoor sensory place for children of all abilities. Finally, a place where I didn’t have to apologize, and I could let my kids finally be kids.
I knew at that moment that this was my calling. I was going to create a space for families where ALL children, both neurodiverse and neurotypical, could come together and play. With WRTS being a franchise, I decided to open one up in North Miami.
There had to be a reason I was faced with these challenges, and here it was. I found my purpose. My gym is unique. We have therapy-grade play equipment that you typically would only find at an Occupational Therapist’s office. Everything in our space has a developmental aspect, from imaginative play and puzzles to ziplines, slides, and trampolines.
There is surely something for every child. We even have a state-of-the-art calming room with bubble walls and interactive fiber optic panels. A safe space for children who may get overstimulated by things that typically don’t affect most kids. I am beyond fortunate that I get to wake up every day and work somewhere meaningful. We Rock the Spectrum North Miami has become more than I could have ever dreamed of.
I’ve created a space where kids of all ages, both neurodiverse and neurotypical, could come together and play. A place where parents didn’t have to apologize to their children. Inclusion has been and always will be the number one priority. I will never stop fighting for a brighter future for children like Alice and Abie. My dream is to be just one of the many places setting the tone for our children’s futures and how they look at neurodiversity.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like anything worth fighting for, I was met with some challenges. Funding was a big concern. Between therapy and doctors, I was determined not to put any more financial stress on my husband.
However, unlike most husbands in this situation, Sam was different. He was supportive of my mission and never thought for a second that I wouldn’t be successful. Despite the daily stress of the expenses that come with having children with special needs, he stepped in and found a way to fund my dream. For that, I will be forever grateful.
I was ready to hit the ground running, but I faced another challenge. For years, I spent my days catering to my children, driving them to all ends of the earth to ensure they were in the best school and had as much therapy as I could squeeze in. I was drained, both mentally and physically. When We Rock the Spectrum North Miami became more than just a pipe dream, I was faced with so many questions.
The number one is, “Are you okay with leaving your role as a stay-at-home mother (and certified chauffeur) to start a business?” Like all the other questions I was asked, I answered them with confidence in myself and my ability to work hard and persevere. “Their therapy is on autopilot; I don’t need to micromanage them every day!” While there was some truth to that, the guilt of leaving my children in my usual day-to-day role was a real challenge. Endless paperwork, floorplans, and months of waiting for permits paled in comparison to the feeling of stepping away from my kids to pursue my dream.
But the truth of the matter was that I was doing them a disservice. Giving them room to breathe sets us both free. While I will always be looking for the next best therapy and the best school, it will allow my children the chance to grow in their own way and take away the daily worry I had of not doing enough and feeling, as a mother, that I wasn’t enough.
I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about We Rock the Spectrum North Miami?
My gym is unique. We have therapy-grade play equipment that you typically would only find in an occupational therapist’s office. We offer therapy-based programming and developmentally focused mommy-and-me classes.
Parents today are tired of the typical music classes and are looking for something to developmentally engage their children. That’s where we come in. Everything in our space has a developmental aspect, from imaginative play, puzzles, and a toddler area to a zip line, slides, and a trampoline. There is surely something for every child.
We host holiday events to give all children a chance to celebrate together. These events often involve a lot of hands-on sensory exploration. Taking a simple group photo can pose a challenge to a special needs family. We offer mini holiday photoshoot opportunities to give families a chance at a typical family experience.
While the business is just a few months old, we have amazing things in the works: more classes, events, and even a preschool prep program.
What makes you happy?
Aside from my brilliant and amazing children and wonderful husband, what truly makes me happy is getting to engage with families. Sometimes, parents just need someone to listen to their struggles and know they are not alone. This is the best part of my job. I am no expert, but I hope that by sharing my own personal experiences and recommendations, I can help ease their minds.
We are so fortunate that in South Florida, we have places like the University of Miami’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, fondly referred to as CARD. They are an amazing source of information, helping thousands of families navigate the world of autism as well as other disabilities that typically feel unmanageable and isolating.
Even if I could just introduce a family to an organization like CARD or offer a recommendation for a special needs-friendly dentist, I feel like I’ve made an impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.werockthespectrumnorthmiami.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrtsnorthmiami/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wrtsnorthmiami
Image Credits
Natalie Borroto Photography @lovingnb
