Samara-Murad, Jiya-Anand, and Preesha-Zaveri. {courtesy}
Three students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have joined forces to form a non-profit aimed at raising awareness about autism and neurological disorders.
MSD students Samara Murad, Seniors Jiya Anand, and Preesha Zaveri recently founded the NeuroCare Network, a service project designed to combat the stigma of neurodiversity through acts of kindness and education.
The team tells Parkland Talk that the inspiration for the NeuroCare Network stemmed from their desire to bridge the gap in understanding autism spectrum disorder.
“As students, we often encounter those with special needs or peers with autism in multiple settings, such as the school hallways or public places,” the team shared. “Unfortunately, many of us may inadvertently place stereotypes upon those students and are not properly educated on the disorder.”
According to Murad, the lack of research and awareness about ASD motivated them to create an inclusive environment where individuals with autism are better understood and supported.
The students tell Parkland Talk that the NeuroCare Network has made significant strides in its mission. During Autism Awareness Month, they hosted a painting event at Eagles Haven, where over 50 community members and students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School came together to create motivational and positive canvases for pediatric patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
The team also recently collaborated with various STEM, science, and service clubs at their school to create NeuroCare packages for those who need it most.
“With over 150 items donated, we created over 35 care bags for the patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, recently delivered on July 3,” the team proudly tells Parkland Talk.
According to Murad, the team has tried collaborating with Eagles Haven and school clubs, which has amplified the project’s impact.
“Our collaboration with Eagles Haven and the various clubs at Marjory Stoneman Douglas enhanced the impact of our project by allowing us to get a grasp of our community’s attention,” adding, “These collaborations not only provided much-needed support but also sparked new ideas for future initiatives.”
The NeuroCare Network team envisions a future where their efforts expand beyond their immediate community. “We aim to provide awareness in more locations across South Florida to attempt to combat the stigma of neurodiversity,” they shared.
Looking ahead, the team has received an invitation to present their project at the Joe DiMaggio Special Needs Inclusivity Walk in September 2024.
To follow the student’s NeuroCare Network journey, the trio invites the community to follow along on Instagram at @neurocarenetwork.
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