This is the story of how an over-worked and under-paid orange county house wife and mother of three gained VIP status at the THC Expose which included all things cannabis.
Most people would assume that Judy Mendoza, as 43-year old mother of three young kids, would be the least likely person to be honored for free with full VIP access to largest marijuana event at the LA Convention center.
The organizers of the event gave Judy and her dedicated supporters a free extra large booth which is 3-times the size of the small booths. The only booths larger than Judy’s booth cost thousands of dollars for those spaces. Judy’s booth included 2 large couches, 2 tables and some chairs, all for free.
At her booth was info about CannX tinctures that the children have been responding well to. The THC in the tinctures is not activated so there is no psychoactive response. Instead, the CBD (Cannabidiol) and other medicinal compounds found in cannabis are in this tincture to help these patients.
In addition to the booth, Judy also got a VIP pass that allowed her access everywhere. Every few people had such privileges and Judy’s crew of supporters all got wrist bands that allowed them entrance to the VIP lounge, free of charge.
Judy was also given her own panel on the main stage, where Judy and other mothers spoke to the crowds while several camera crews filmed their discussion, including a 20/20 film crew that has been following Judy’s unique story.
And on Sunday, the last day of the Expose, Judy had the pleasure of being dressed up in a beautiful costume and makeup [See photo of Judy and me]. Her floor-length gown was simmering white and flowing with layers of iridescent and sheer fabric. And her head piece was sparkly and elaborate with crystal beads dangling from it. She looked like a mystical fairy princess.
Although exhausted, Judy looked happy to be a VIP for the weekend.
There’s no glamour in Judy’s day-to-day life as a mother of special-needs children. Both Judy’s sons have different special needs. Judy’s 7-year old son has Down syndrome and her 12-year old son has a very rare and severe form of pediatric OCD called PANDAS. This condition is caused when some children get a strep infection and their immune systems attack a part of the brain instead of the infection.
With this condition, the children’s immune system starts to attack an area of the brain associated with OCD syndrome. Recently a doctor specializing in special-needs children recommended Judy’s 12-year old son try cannabis to treat his severe symptoms after the family had exhausted all other treatment options.
The family has had positive results. And that’s why the organizers of the THC Expose gave Judy and her crew the VIP treatment this weekend.
During her panel discussion, Judy shared a story about how her son, Ryan (12), stood in front of her car and begged his mother to run him over and kill him because he could no longer handle all the thoughts in his head.
Judy gave him a brownie with cannabis in it and an hour later he was sitting, relaxed, in the house and said “Mama, I would really like my room to be more peaceful. Can I have a waterfall in there?”
Judy admits that cannabis is not a cure all but believes cannabis is an important treatment for some of her son’s symptoms. He still has really bad days and really good days too.
Judy has started an organization called M-Squared which stands for “Mama to Mama” and she hopes to reach out and help other families with special-needs kids, letting them know about medical cannabis and how it may help some kids with special needs.
Judy also hopes to visit Washington DC to talk to law makers about how federal laws are interfering with their safe access to medical cannabis and research on the therapeutic value of cannabis as medicine for special-needs children.
For more information, please contact Judy Mendoza 805-618-1086, mama@msquaredsite.org, www.msquaredinc.info.
End note:
Tio Castro introduced Judy to Brian who organized the THC Expose. I look forward to meeting Tio and Brian. Thanks for all you did for Judy and her cause.
0 comments:
Post a Comment