Guest at first-ever happy hour for autistic adults could do RFK’s taxes

Sierra Grandy was among a crowd that attended the first-of-its-kind happy hour event for adults on the spectrum in Minneapolis on April 23. She was there to represent the autism community, which she says has been mischaracterized recently by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“His comments are at best frustrating, at worst terrifying,” said Grandy, who is autistic.

She’s speaking of Kennedy’s remarks at a press conference in which he said of children with autism, “They will never pay taxes. They’ll never hold a job. They'll never play baseball. They'll never write a poem. They'll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted."

Along with her autism and ADHD diagnosis, Grandy is also a speaker, an attorney and holds a master’s degree in international and comparative tax law. Simply put, Grandy knows more about taxes than most, including RFK. She sees no value in remarks about what autistic children will or will not do as adults.

“The answer isn’t to divide into us versus them, it’s to come together and provide more resources,” Grandy commented. “We also can’t have people making decisions without understanding the nuances of these conversations.”

The happy hour Grandy attended was hosted by Sheletta Brundidge, who is a business owner, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, podcaster, author, Black activist and mom. Brundidge is also autistic.

“We drank, we ate, we laughed, we talked and we wandered around,” Brundidge said. “It was a safe space filled with fun, laughter and special connections.”

Grandy appreciated the event in Minneapolis and the opportunity to be a part of a group working together with the same goal: to belong. That is the exact mission of Fraser, which co-hosted the happy hour with Brundidge. Fraser is the oldest and largest autism, mental health and disability provider in Minnesota. “When everyone belongs our community is stronger,” said Mary Arneson, director of marketing at Fraser. “An event like this helps emphasize that fact, that you belong at a happy hour, just like anyone else would.”

That was the motivation for Brundidge, who launched the event after Kennedy’s remarks and within weeks of her own autism diagnosis. She admits she was horrified to hear Kennedy tell a whole group of people they are worthless and during April, Autism Awareness Month. So, Brundidge hosted the happy hour for autistic adults to do just that, bring back the happy. “The room was full and so was my heart when dozens of folks showed up,” Brundidge added.

More than 50 people attended the first-of-its-kind social event, which Arneson of Fraser said accomplished its simple goal. “People enjoyed themselves and we all left feeling good.”