LaSherron “Lady” Diaz
Where I Live: Danville
About Me:
Hello, Hola, Bonjour! My name is LaSherron Diaz. I prefer to be called “Lady”. I am new to Virginia. I am a female adult, diagnosed with autism. I am a passionate advocate for the special needs community and those who need a voice. I am a native North Carolinian who moved to Virginia in 2022. I’m intuitive, focused, and thoughtful with how I connect to others. I thrive in environments that value communication, emotional intelligence, and collaboration. I’m always working on aligning my values with the work I do."I enjoy reading, writing, and playing with my “fur babies”, Jeriko, and Leonardo Di Caprio. I also host a Podcast (ONAW), where I advocate and provide a “voice” on various topics.
Hobbies & Interests:
I enjoy diamond painting and watching movies. I am learning how to crochet, which is tougher than I assumed, for some reason. I like to research various topics and learn new languages. Currently, I speak English, Spanish, and French. I am also currently brave enough to get into “SIMS 4”.
Mentor Skills:
Active Listener: Known for my ability to truly listen, I pride myself on being an active listener, always engaged and present in conversations. I believe that understanding others requires more than just hearing words; it’s about recognizing emotions, reading between the lines, and fostering meaningful connections.
Organized Planner: With a strong focus on efficiency and detail, I am highly organized and adept at managing multiple priorities simultaneously. I thrive in environments that require meticulous planning, and I take pride in maintaining structure to ensure smooth workflows and timely completion of projects.
Community Advocate: As a passionate community advocate, I am deeply committed to amplifying the voices of those in need and working towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment. Whether through volunteer work, outreach, or policy advocacy, I strive to make a meaningful impact and foster a sense of belonging for all.
Personal Experience: I serve as a community Mental Health Support professional, substance abuse educator, and a supermom of six. Five girls and two boys. Four of my children are on the autism spectrum. In 2024, I became a State Council member of the Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP), an organization to help individuals with disabilities. I also served as a Community Connector for the Arc of Southside. As a graduate of American Public University, I earned an Associate of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. I also serve on the Member Services Committee with DMAS (Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services). I am also a Family Navigator for a non-profit organization via VCU.
Areas of Expertise:
I prioritize respecting the boundaries pertaining to treating individuals fairly and not placing people in stereotyped groups. Home management, to include developing organization systems and assisting others with the activities of daily living (ADLs) and executive functioning. Familial advocacy, including curating resources and support for mothers and children.
I am also a licensed driver.
Communication:
I’m a verbal communicator, including phone calls, face-to-face conversations, virtual platforms (Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams), and text. Text is my primary mode of communication. I also communicate well with nonverbal individuals.
I work with: DD Waiver & DD Waivers Waitlist Mentees