THE GOAN NETWORK | LONDON
A woman of Goan origin has received an OBE after being nominated for her charitable work and in recognition for her substantial and sustained commitment to assisting people with autism and hidden disabilities over the past nine years.
Jo-Ann D’Costa-Manuel, who lives in Crawley in West Sussex, has been bestowed one of the highest-ranking awards in the King’s Birthday Honours which herald extraordinary contribution and service to people across the UK.
Jo-Ann receives the honour following years of raising the profile of hidden disabilities, initiating change, creating autism awareness campaigns and major fundraising.
Her work has seen her being involved as a voluntary autism ambassador for a major airline, introducing a ‘quiet hour’ across a major supermarket chain leading others in the UK and overseas to follow suit, creating a free online resource for parent carers across the globe and raising and gaining pledges worth more than £7 million for Caudwell Children and now she’s helping to do the same for Caudwell Youth.
Jo-Ann, who is now a dedicated charity pioneer to philanthropist John Caudwell, commented: “This is an important legacy for my children and family. I never expected this. Our journey began with little support and being misunderstood every single time we stepped out of the door with our younger son who has autism.”
“I didn’t want any other child, parent, or family to experience what we did so I approached an airline to create a hidden disability package, and a supermarket to create a shopping ‘quiet hour’. I was confident I could start a chain reaction if I just pushed that first huge domino.”
“From here it just escalated. From undertaking national and global projects to creating social media content, which was viewed by millions, I always knew I could change our negative journey into a positive one and create impactful change for others. But I didn’t do it on my own, my husband and two children were part of every project “ we are a team.”
“This accolade is a legacy for our children and hopefully an inspiration to others to always reach out and help someone in need,” said Jo-Ann.
‘Goan identity helped root importance of family’
Jo-Ann D’Costa-Manuel believes her Goan identity has certainly helped root the importance of family, commitment and love for humanity.
Jo-Ann traces her roots to Navelim and Margao. Jo-Ann’s father, Tony D’Costa, hails from Navelim, but was born in Belgaum. When Tony was four years, his father, an aeronautical engineer, got a job in Nairobi and Tony studied at St Teresa’s Boys School in Nairobi-Kenya.
Tony later graduated as an aircraft licence engineer and worked for EAA and Kenya Airways while in Kenya. In 1974, Tony married Sally, who hails from Aquem-Margao and had studied at Presentation Convent.
Jo-Ann D’Costa-Manuel along with her father, Tony D’Costa.
Tony and his family then migrated to UK in 1980 and settled in Crawley. He worked for British Caledonian Gatwick and BA Gatwick, till his retirement.
“I am originally from Goa and my husband, Wayne, is from Burma. My Goan identity has certainly helped root the importance of family, commitment and love for humanity,” said Jo-Ann.
“I was raised in a very happy home with nurturing parents who showed me through their actions not just their words how to care, love, respect and take care of people.”
“Goan culture also encourages a close relationship to God - we were brought up attending Mass and saying the Rosary as a family. Sweet Mother Mary has been my best friend on this journey. While on earth, she was an incredible woman, mother and wife - I always say she is my biggest inspiration and encourage others to always pray to her.”
‘Families in Goa should stay strong, focus on their child’
Jo-Ann D’Costa-Manuel has advised families in Goa to stay strong, focus on their child and family and avoid external ‘talk’ stress or influence them.
“I am closely linked to Sethu in Goa (https://sethu.in) and would encourage families in Goa to follow their work, as they are a phenomenal multi-disciplinary team delivering early intervention and assessments,” said Jo-Ann.
“The biggest difference between UK and Goa is cultural barriers which add an extra layer of stress and complication to families. The need to “fix” your children due to shame or embarrassment, to conform to other people’s opinions and judgements and force children to behave correctly in front of others. This needs to stop.”
“My message to families in Goa is this: stay strong, focus on your child and family and don't let external ‘talk’ or stress influence them. Your child has a neurodisability and with the right support at the right time, huge gains can be made - don't waste time on fitting in with societal norms. I know that people travel from around India to visit Sethu because they are warm, supportive, understanding and just get it! I have had video calls over the years with the team - they are incredible.
“To anyone who thinks their child may have autism or has just received a diagnosis, I encourage them to access my free course (https://autismparentempower.thinkific.com/collections). Parents around the globe have access to this but it especially warms my heart when it helps families from my homeland Goa.”
