Instagram/@emily
April is Autism Acceptance Month, which is a time when people shed light on the neurodevelopmental condition. Former TV personality, stylist, and influencer Emily Bustamante, known as Emily B, revealed on World Autism Awareness Day that her youngest daughter, Journey Isabella, whom she shares with rapper Fabulous, is autistic and non-verbal.
“For a long time, I kept this part of my life private… publicly,” her caption on Instagram started. She shared the emotive message under a family picture with her four kids and two grandchildren.
The caption continued, “Not because I was ashamed. Not because I didn’t love her loudly. But because some Journeys feel sacred. My daughter Journey is autistic. She is nonverbal. She has sensory processing challenges. She was born with PHACE syndrome.. a very rare congenital condition.”
As the stylist shared, PHACE syndrome is a condition characterized by a large birthmark on the face, scalp, or neck, occurring alongside other developmental abnormalities. PHACE is also an acronym and each letter stands for a specific group of potential issues: Posterior fossa malformations, hemangioma, arterial anomalies, cardiac defects, and eye abnormalities. The condition occurs more frequently in girls than in boys.
The former Love and Hip Hop star explained that as a result of Journey being autistic and having PHACE, she “experiences the world differently.” The mother of two also explained that having her youngest daughter “changed me in ways I still can’t fully put into words.”
Bustamante added, “There have been moments of fear. Moments of learning. Moments where I had to become stronger than I ever imagined. But more than anything… there has been LOVE 💙,”
She concluded, “On World Autism Awareness Day..I’m choosing to share this openly. Because visibility matters and so does she.”
Emily also shared an Instagram page for her foundation, A Special Journey Foundation, where people can follow her daughter’s journey and learn more about autism. The foundation aims to provide advocacy, awareness, and community.
Fabulous commented on Emily’s post, also showing his daughter some love. “A Special Journey,” he wrote. The two, who had a long-term relationship, also share sons Jonas, 10, and Johan, 17. Bustamante has the oldest daughter, Taina Williams, 28, from a past relationship. Her two young children, Essex and Emmy, are featured in the family photoshoot.