Maia Chung-Smith - Nominee for the Flair/First Global Vision Award

'I would love the foundation to change the face of Jamaica through advocacy, policy framework, education and health for those affected by autism and other disabilities, and I hope the political directorate will be open to this change.'

She is known to many for her work in the media, but these days Maia Chung-Smith is no longer reading or producing prime time news; she is making strides in her one-year-old organisation, Autism and Disabilities Foundation.

Chung-Smith is one of the five nominees for this year's First Global Vision Award, as well as the youngest. Her work in the foundation to date has been outstanding and she is unbelievably happy and honoured to be nominated for the prestigious award.

A journalist for the last 17 years, Chung-Smith recently traded her computer to become a 'good Samaritan' to individuals living with autism and other disabilities. She has found that operating the foundation is more invasive and demanding than working in media, because now she is the boss; but it is more fulfilling.

The foundation was started in April 2008 and coincided with Chung-Smith's birthday. She said it came because of her son, Quinn Smith, who was born with autism nine years ago. The fact that her son was autistic has changed not just her life but also hundreds if not thousands of other Jamaicans' lives.

It is rough

"His autism is what motivated this foundation and it has caused me to be proactive." Having a child with autism is rough and she and her husband, Wykham, have been through a lot. They have had financial challenges because caring for an autistic child is very expensive. As such, she can just imagine how hard it is for parents with similar circumstances and who are living below or just above the poverty line without a job or any help.

"Through the foundation, we try to assist as many as we can," Chung-Smith said. Since the foundation began, they have raised $3 million in resources for individuals with autism and other disabilities. It is a non-profit, non-governmental entity and all funds raised go back into the foundation. She told Flair that she knew operating such an organisation would have presented many challenges but the major one is monetary. However, everyone has pitched in and she is heartened by people's kindness with their time and monetary donations.

She added: "I would love the foundation to change the face of Jamaica through advocacy, policy framework, education and health for those affected by autism and other disabilities, and I hope the political directorate will be open to this change."