Maurice Rush & Jasmine Poole Interview

9/12/2017

Maurice Rush and Jasmine Poole (Both age 29) have been autism parents and advocates since their son, Maurice Jr (Little Rece), was diagnosed at age 2 in June 2011.

Born and raised in North Philadelphia, Maurice is a graduate from Temple University where he was awarded his Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing in 2010. He currently works as a Caseworker for the PA Department of Human Services (formerly Dept of Public Welfare). Maurice is involved in various Faith-Based initiatives through the Greater Exodus Baptist Church and serves as a mentor for teenagers ranging from ages 12-19. He’s had multiple speaking engagements with teen mothers through programs such as Young Lives. As an autism advocate, Maurice has used his marketing background to spread awareness and raise funds for Autism Research and Studies. Maurice enjoys watching and playing Football and Basketball, playing Video Games, and debating comic book movies with his friends.

Jasmine was born in Philadelphia but raised in Yeadon. She graduated from Villanova University in 2011 with her Bachelors of science in Nursing. Little Rece's diagnosis fueled her passion to create more awareness. In September 2012 Jasmine stood in front of over 15,000 people at Citizens Bank Park to talk about her son at "Philadelphia Walk Now for Autism Speaks". Jasmine has worked as a pediatric registered nurse at CHOP and currently works as a neurology/neurosurgery RN at The University of Pennsylvania hospital. Jasmine is now Author to her first children's book "Rece Wants Cereal". In Jasmine's spare time, she enjoys crocheting, arts and crafts, singing, and showing others that it's okay to laugh!

In 2012, Jasmine and Maurice started “iWalk4Rece”, a team dedicated to raising funds and awareness of Autism as well as building a village of supporters for their son. Through iWalk4Rece, the couple has raised over $13,000 towards Autism Research by using various fundraising efforts. On July 9th 2017, Jasmine released “Rece Wants Cereal” which tells a story of how Maurice Jr has learned to communicate despite being non-verbal. The book was written with goals to further increase awareness, to magnify a real life challenge of parenting a child with autism, as well as to benefit autism research.

Visit their website www.iwalk4rece.com to become a supporter of iwalk4rece.

Click the button below to purchase your copy of "Reece Wants Cereal"

Purchase the Book