Sometimes, we meet a friend that we would like to treat as our sibling. Trinity Jagdeo and Alexus Dick are best friends since they were in kindergarten.
While Alexus is going through a tough time, Trinity stayed beside her. She even started making comic books that would help Alexus feel better about her condition.
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The best friends that stick together
After years of friendship, they were tested by a very challenging news - Alexus' diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2. It is a rare and serious disease that led to Alexus' multiple visits to the hospital.
In 2014, Alexus got hospitalized for six months. Trinity stayed with her best friend every time she could. They would watch movies and enjoyed each other's company.
Every time Trinity would visit Alexus, she would notice how drained her best friend was. In an interview with the TODAY, Trinity shared, "She had nobody to look up to while she was going through that battle."
At first, Trinity thought of asking for creators of movies or books about creating characters with disabilities or special needs.
When Trinity did not get any response, she thought of something that would help her best friend feel better. Trinity thought of creating her own non-profit. She said, "I began writing and illustrating my books that featured local special-needs kids."
The beginning of the comic books
When Trinity was 17 years old, she thought of starting to make her comic books, so she asked for her mom's help.
Trinity's mother helped formally setting up the business.
The creative side, however, was all in the hands of Trinity. The characters were alive in Trinity's mind, but she had to make sure she can put them into drawings.
She used an inexpensive drawing pad and connected this to her computer. The next thing she did was maximize Amazon's publishing tools.
All for the families of children with disabilities
Trinity has illustrated and written three comic books. Local children inspire all of these books with disabilities. One of the characters is Alexus' brother, who also has spinal muscular atrophy.
The titles of her comix books are:
- Alice the Ace
- The We Can Squad Saves the Day
- Zappy Zane
Aside from the funds raised through the books that Trinity sells, her non-profit also hosts other fundraising events.
However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, fashion shows, and other fundraisers of the non-profit are moved online.
Trinity also goes to different schools and colleges to talk about following one's passion.
It has been Trinity's advocacy to make sure that those who are rarely seen on books and TV are heard - just like children with disabilities.
Still best friends
Even after years of friendship, Alexus and Trinity remain to be very close friends.
They are now 19 years old.
Even now that they are already teenagers, they still think about the superpowers they would like to have. Alexus wants to have the ability to fly, while Trinity wants to be able to teleport.
