Thursday, April 22, 2010

Autism Rainbow Day



Run your fingers through my soul. For once, just once, feel exactly what I feel, believe exactly what I believe, perceive as I perceive, look, examine, and for once; just once, understand." ~ Oscar Wilde (from the website of Rainbowland Autism Services).

Facebook is helping to spread awareness about autism. Recently I joined the Autism Rainbow Day (30th April 2010) group, created by Rainbowland Autism Services.

“Rainbowland Autism Services (RAS) is a modern, innovative
and energetic organisation that demonstrates its passion
for helping families living with autism through its dynamic services and
commitment to global autism awareness. RAS strives to advocate for the human
rights of its families and
promote community awareness and inclusion at
every opportunity."

I was intrigued by the beauty and simplicity of their awareness campaign, Autism Rainbow Day, which will take place on Friday, April 30, 2010. They are urging "businesses, schools and social groups from all over the world to help raise awareness for autism by wearing different colored T-Shirts that represent the colors of the rainbow and to read an autism awareness sheet." According to an online article by the examiner, Autism Rainbow Day is happening in towns throughout the world; and it all started with one small family in Australia."

Three years ago, Allison and Shane Dix's three-year-old twin sons were diagnosed with autism, and their eight-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. "We had been talking a lot about how beautiful rainbows are because we had already established a family support group called ‘Rainbowland Play Time'. We thought it would be nice if the public associated people with autism with something so beautiful. We then spoke about having a special day for autism awareness and came up with. . . Autism Rainbow Day."

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Learn 2 Be Buddies blog made it easy for us. Just follow these simple steps:

  • Join the Autism Rainbow Day Facebook Group
  • Download your Rainbow Day Poster - print it and hang it everywhere.
  • Tell your school and workplace about it - and hang more posters.
  • On Friday 30th wear a plain coloured t-shirt (and keep a few in your car to share with those who have forgotten :) )
  • When people ask why you are wearing bright colours, tell them about Autism. To help you with this, Allison has put together an Autism Awareness Sheet which you can pass on to people. *

On April 30, 2010, we can choose to celebrate the lives of autistic people living within our community.

("This video is a tribute to the adventures of Josh, who is autistic and is from England. Compiled by his father Phillip for Autism Rainbow Day, this video portrays his deep love for his son. "Autistic children are happy and can have fun doing day to day things. We are so blessed to have Josh. He is my whole world, and I would not change a thing,” Phillip says of his son. Samantha E., a 17-year-old autistic girl, is the singer on the track and gave permission to use it on this video. (Phil is raising money for his son’s school (Curnow is a large special school in Cornwall. They cater for children and students between 2 and 19 and all have severe learning difficulties (SLD), with many also having sensory or medical needs and prefound multiple learning difficulties. A number of their children/students have difficulties in managing their own behaviour resulting from their Autistic Spectrum Disorders) in England by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro this summer (June 25th to July 7th 2010). For more information, go to http://www.justgiving.com/phillip-wills.)

Maureen

10 comments:

Pam said...

I will be showing this post to my daughter. She will be interested in learning more about Autism Rainbow Day.

Maureen Lee said...

Thanks for dropping by, Pam. I'm glad that this post was helpful!

Sandie Lee said...

Great Blog. I'm glad I found you :)

Maureen Lee said...

Thanks for visiting our blog, Sandie. I dropped by yours, as well, and enjoyed them all! :)

Don from IDEAL-WAY said...

Joshua Wills is a beautiful child, blessed by, and a blessing to, a wonderfully loving and caring dad.

Thanks to consistently positive portrayals, like on this blog and Autism Rainbow day, mainstream awareness and attitudes towards Autism will surely improve.

Katrina said...

Hi! I love your blog and you have touched me! I am not sure how you found mine (maybe MBC?) but I found you by your comment on my blog, so thank you for the support. I appreciate it and will be following this blog of yours. Keep up the great work you are doing here.
Katrina Cole
http://enchantmentofmotherhood.blogspot.com
http://imagineyourselffree.blogspot.com

Maureen Lee said...

Don, I agree, Joshua is a beautiful child, and it is obvious that he has been reared in a loving and stable environment. His father is willing to do anything for him - even climb Mt. Kilimanjaro! And thanks for continuing to positively reinforce the author of this blog! :)

Maureen Lee said...

Katrina, thanks for visiting my blog, leaving a comment, and following me. I appreciate the support, as well, and appreciate your kind words! Yes, I found your blog via MBC, and am very glad I did - you have a wonderful blog. :)

MaggieMae said...

LOVE the Oscar Wilde quote. Hope you don't mind my reposting it! Thanks for coming by my blog. I'll be following yours too.

Maureen Lee said...

Thanks for visiting, and following, our blog, MaggieMae! I love that quote, too, and had never read it before, so I'm glad you reposted it for your readers to enjoy! :)

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