Thank you for supporting the work of Talos Foundation! Today, I want to share a story—one that begins with anger and frustration, but ultimately leads to transformation.
On March 6th, 2021, my husband and I took our son, Alexander Talos Schaus, to a sports class for children with special needs at the Sheung Wan Civic Center in Hong Kong. It was supposed to be a typical day, but it became the turning point in my life—and unknowingly, the day Talos Foundation was born.
While waiting in the hallway, Alex indicated he needed to use the toilet. The only accessible restroom was locked. I approached a nearby NGO office for help, showing Alex’s disability card, but despite my pleas, they refused to let him use the bathroom. Helpless, Alex had an accident.
I was furious, not just because of the locked door, but because of the lack of empathy and understanding for those with special needs and invisible disabilities. This dehumanizing experience stayed with me, fueling my anger. When I got home that rainy day, I channeled that frustration into action. I reached out to friends in the legal community and drafted letters to government officials, determined to change this.
But I never sent them.
A few days later, fate intervened. I was sent to a quarantine camp after being identified as a close contact of a confirmed COVID case. Surrounded by barbed wire, with no Wi-Fi and sleeping on thin mattresses, I found myself in an unsettling reality. During those two weeks, I had the space to reflect on everything.
I thought deeply about the incident with Alex. I wanted to make a meaningful impact, and a memory from my past sparked an idea. Years before, I had created cards and buttons for my father, who had Alzheimer’s, after some difficult experiences. In New York City, his loud comments had forced us to leave a Broadway show, and later, an inappropriate remark almost led to a confrontation. But once people understood his condition, they showed compassion. After those incidents, I made cards and buttons to proactively explain his situation, which worked beautifully.
This memory led to a breakthrough.
I wanted to create something simple, a symbol that would disarm misunderstandings in Hong Kong and Asia, where disabilities and mental health are often stigmatized. Alex regularly faced challenges in public spaces, where people misunderstood his behavior. I envisioned a symbol that could communicate neurodiversity and special needs without the need for words.
With the support of friends and the special needs community, I designed a symbol and had it printed on lanyards and stickers with the phrase, “Special Needs: Kindness and Compassion.” I shared the idea on social media, expecting a few people to take notice. But instead, the post went viral. Thousands of parents, supporters, and business owners reached out, eager to support the initiative.
And from this overwhelming response, Talos Foundation was born.
Today, Talos Foundation has distributed over 10,000 products free of charge. Families regularly tell us how these simple tools reduce stress and avoid confrontations, allowing them to navigate public spaces with dignity. What started as a small effort to create understanding has blossomed into a full-fledged charity, officially registered as a Section 88 charity in Hong Kong.
Since then, we have launched corporate and community education programs led exclusively by neurodivergent trainers. We’ve partnered with global companies and top universities, providing opportunities for individuals who would otherwise struggle to find employment due to being non-verbal or considered “low-functioning.” We are proud to say that these efforts are helping to change lives, empowering people with neurodivergence to find meaningful work and independence.
Our mission is simple but powerful: to shift attitudes towards neurodivergent individuals and foster empathy and understanding in society. I am deeply grateful to the global community for embracing this idea and supporting us on this journey.
Together, we are building a world of compassion, one lanyard, button, and training at a time.