In memory of Milly, a devoted advocate for children and youth with selective mutism
In memory of Milly (1998/9/23-2022/3/24), a devoted advocate for children and youth with selective mutism and other special needs, in her own words:
“My name is Isabel Faline (Milly) Yuan, and I am currently part of the leadership team at the Selective Mutism Association of Taiwan (SMAT). Since joining the SMAT in 2018, I have fought with my demons, overcome my fear of speaking and given public speeches in schools and on streets, becoming an advocate for those who have yet to find their voice.
Having personally dropped out of school due to mental illness, I have worked with the SMAT to improve and establish policies for children and youth with selective mutism and other conditions. We have written countless letters and made numerous calls to fight for equal rights and more support for students with special needs, hoping to help give them a better chance to learn and thrive.
Besides my work at the SMAT, I also blog about my battle with mental illness on Facebook in hopes of breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and letting others know they are not alone. With over 2,200 followers, I write openly about all the ups and downs of my struggles, with occasional posts on some self-help tips, awareness posts, and a bit of dark humor for laughs.
I still have a very long and difficult battle ahead, including some brushes with death. However, I genuinely believe I was saved for a reason, and the best thank-you gift I can give back to the world is never to choose to give up on life and continue to fight for others like myself. My blog has touched the lives of many and inspired others to speak more openly about their own struggles.
Baking is also a huge passion of mine. Every once in a while, I host meetups for families with selective mutism (and other mental illnesses) and combine those meetups with baking sales to raise funds for various charity organizations. I am also into arts. Together with five other young adults with selective mutism, we have designed a set of postcards to raise awareness and funds for the SMAT.
For future goals, I am currently working with the SMAT to start a new project of matching “SM-friendly” companies and other opportunities for young adults struggling to find a job due to selective mutism. We truly hope this project can help them gain independence both financially and socially. I also have high hopes of my own little baking business becoming part of this project.
My work in the mental health field has given me a purpose in life, and although I still have much to learn, I hope to continue making a difference in this world and am confident this is the path that I will continue to pursue in the future.”
Milly's speeches on selective mutism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBw1tYuluIs&list=PLgs0jcHQZJVi2F08yDbVze9mSo7lZlZV3
Milly's FB blog https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100058039252431
Stacking fundraiser https://youtu.be/V8rJceD4TOk
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