Speaker: Alicia Maples

About this talk: Having lost one brother to the world of autism and another to a terminal illness, Alicia Maples never knew a normal childhood. Expected to always put on a brave face, Alicia played the role of good girl on the outside. One the inside, however, she was dying. In this heart-wrenching talk, Alicia tells parents of children with special needs — and their surrounding community — to stop looking through the siblings of children with special needs.

About Alicia Maples: Alicia Meneses Maples is an entrepreneur and small business consultant at Brilliant SMB.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Video Opener by Rod Guajardo foursandyfeet.com. Music: MUSICXXX Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons "Attribution 3.0.