EPISODE 9 - Undiagnosed, unseen and unheard, with jazz manley
Our guest, Jazz Manley with long brown hair, wearing a white top and pink lipstick, smiling at the camera and touching her hair.
In this episode, Rina and Lauren talk with Jazz Manley about her experience of searching for answers and a diagnosis for her son Max. Jazz is candid, being open about her own vulnerability and mental health struggles. Se discusses her son’s difficult birth and the challenges she faced when he was young and her concerns surrounding her son were not shared by others. We also discuss how Jazz came to discover that she herself was autistic. Jazz provides a raw, honest, but also funny and heart-warming account of coming through this difficult period in her family's life.
This episode contains reference to and details around attempted suicide. It is important to stress that we are not mental health experts, but we have spoken to Jazz outside of the podcast to ensure that she is able to access more support. If you are affected by the content or concerned about anyone you know, please reach out for help. Suicide is preventable, and support is available.
We have included some links below.
Where to get urgent help for mental health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Useful contacts - helping someone who feels suicidal - Mind
Content Warnings
Suicide
Traumatic birth stories
Diagnosis
Guest Biography
Jazz is 28 years old and lives in Cheshire with partner, Ryan and their 5 year old son, Max. Max is suspected to have a rare, (as yet) undiagnosed genetic condition which has culminated in autism, global development delay, hypermobility, low muscle tone, microcephaly, dyspraxia and febrile convulsions. Jazz is also autistic, having been diagnosed at the age of 24.
Jazz has an undergraduate degree in Law and has worked as a paralegal and a police officer. Due to Max’s growing needs, she is now self-employed as an accounts assistant and recently set up her own payroll company with her best friend who is also a special needs parent.
Jazz’s biggest passions in life (besides her family) are music, books and writing. When Jazz finds an unusual moment for herself you will find her playing guitar, some kind of sport, reading Harry Potter or the Game of Thrones books or blogging on her social media account, Autiemum & Max.
Instagram - @autiemumandmax
Facebook – Autiemum & Max
TikTok - @autiemumandmax
Resource Links
What is autism? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
What Is Global Development Delay? Find Out More | Mencap
Home | SWAN UK (undiagnosed.org.uk)
Newlife the Charity - Changing the lives of disabled children (newlifecharity.co.uk) – a charity who funded Max’s off road SEN pushchair
Family Fund – another charity who offer grants
