DRACUT — A 16-year-old New Hampshire high school junior who experiences epilepsy and whose twin brother is on the Autism spectrum knows what it’s like to have a hard time communicating with others, especially those in the public safety realm.
Mayra Gillis, who has epilepsy, and her mom, Jessica, visited Dracut Fire Headquarters on Tuesday to deliver 10 sensory kits to Dracut Police and Fire Departments to help first responders better assist and reach children who face challenges communicating. Each kit includes items such as noise-reducing earmuffs, communication cards with pictures, a whiteboard and marker with eraser, plushies and stuffies, fidgets, stress balls, sunglasses, and fleece “lovie” blankets.
Gillis started making the kits in 2024 after an experience with first responders — a paramedic handed her a teddy bear as she experienced her first epileptic seizure. The teddy bear helped calm her so much, Gillis decided she wanted to help other children in the same way.
Gillis has now delivered over 480 kits to more than 40 public safety agencies across New England.
The Dracut Fire Department accepted six kits that will be deployed on apparatus, and the Dracut Police Department accepted four kits that will be deployed in front-line cruisers, and available to the department’s co-responding mental health clinician.
The Gillis family supports Mayra’s creation of the sensory kits via an Amazon wish list and proceeds from the sale of a book Mayra wrote. Mayra’s book, ‘Adventures of Mymy & Sparks: Cloudpeak School for Dragonlings’, follows twin dragons who learn to overcome difficulties through a variety of adventures.
To learn more about Mayra’s book, click here. To check out her Amazon wish list, click here.
“The kits help our Public Safety staff communicate with individuals in the community who are challenged, at times, with communicating their needs,” said Jennifer Gillis. “These kits will help de-escalate stressful situations while providing alternative methods of communication and bridging the gap to bring the community together.”
“We are very grateful to Mayra and Jessica for this donation. These kits will support us as we seek to provide emergency response with professionalism and compassion,” said Fire Chief Michael Cunha. “Mayra is an amazing young woman, and her kindness has helped make our department better.”
“Being able to communicate effectively, and with compassion, with every member of our community is essential to the Dracut Police Department,” said Police Chief Peter Bartlett. “These kits will help both officers and our co-responding clinician communicate more effectively and with an even greater level of care moving forward. We appreciate this significant donation from the bottom of our hearts.”
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