Autism Sunday 2010 - The International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome falls on 14th February. The Founders of Autism Sunday, parents and carers of a teenager with autism, Ivan and Charika Corea from the United Kingdom have urged campaigners around the world to use the occasion to campaign and lobby on the serious issues of autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.
There are over 60 million people with autism around the world. Many suffer without proper public services. The current credit crunch and recession has devastated many families with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome around the world.
Autism Sunday - The International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome was founded by autism campaigners Ivan and Charika Corea in 2002 Autism Awareness Year with a historic Service at St.Paul’s Cathedral in London. Since then the occasion has become a huge worldwide event with Cathedrals, churches, religious organisations participating in it from the United States of America to India.
Ivan and Charika Corea have urged autism campaigners, disability organisations, parents groups, Aspergers groups, voluntary sector groups, community organisations, autism related organisations to make use of Autism Sunday by lobbying hard on the serious issues dealing with autism and Aspergers Syndrome.
They have recommended the following campaigning activities to mark Autism Sunday:
*WRITE to the President or the Prime Minister or the Head of State in your country - urge them to speak out on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome on Sunday 14th February 2010 and ask them to spell out their plans to help parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.
*CONTACT LEADERS OF FAITH COMMUNITIES - ask them to issue a message on Autism Sunday and show how they would encourage faith communities to support the marginalised, the vulnerable and the poor - particularly during the current recession affecting many parts of the world.
*WRITE prayers/poems for autism and Asperger’s Syndrome and ask your church or religious organisation to feature them on Autism Sunday.
*WEAR YOU AUTISM AWARENESS RIBBON to raise awareness of autism and Asperger’s Syndrome on Sunday 14th February 2010.
*CONTACT THE LOCAL/NATIONAL MEDIA IN YOUR COUNTRY -Press, Radio and Television- ask them to feature autism and Asperger’s Syndrome on Sunday 14th February - share your story for Autism Sunday.
*ORGANISE AWARENESS RAISING EVENTS ON AUTISM AND ASPERGER’S SYNDROME on the weekend of Saturday 13th February leading to Autism Sunday.
*ASK THE HEADS OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES to speak about autism and Asperger’s Syndrome leading up to Autism Sunday in assemblies and school meetings.
*CONTACT YOUR MINISTER/PASTOR/FAITH LEADER about Autism Sunday and ask them to highlight Autism Sunday in services.
*‘OPEN EVERY DOOR’ THE SONG FOR AUTISM HAS BEEN RE-RELEASED FOR AUTISM SUNDAY 2010 ask your local radio station to feature this moving song for autism sung by Gresha Schuilling and written by singer/songwriter, Nimal Mendis. The song can be downloaded from iTunes.
*WRITE TO YOUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT/LOCAL COUNCILS/CONGRESS/SENATE - urge them to raise matters concerning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.
*CONTRIBUTE YOUR FILMS FOR AUTISM SUNDAY ON YOUTUBE - add your films for Autism Sunday and a call to the leaders of nations to speak out on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome leading up to Autism Sunday 2010.
*DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS ON AUTISM AND ASPERGER’S SYNDROME in events leading up to Autism Sunday in order to raise greater awareness of the issues.
Campaigners and organisations have been asked to use the opportunity and campaign on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome in events leading up to Autism Sunday across the nations of the world.
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8 users commented in " Autism Sunday 14th February 2010 - Campaign on Autism and AS "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI think personally that this Autism Sunday is stupid and I think as a person with Asperger’s syndrome why should people be participating in this event because we Aspies are fine and really don’t need to be cured but shown compassion and acceptance. People should just come to realize that about us.
I don’t think it is stupid at all, Autism Sunday is not about a cure at all, there are people with Aspergers who support it and it is about showing compassion and acceptance. Nowhere does it talk about curing autism but it is in fact talking about raising awareness of autism and Aspergers and this can be done by peole of all faiths or no faith at all - and for anyone who is a religious believer of supporting through prayer - there are Aspies who are religious believers too and others are non-believers. Not only supporting by words but also by doing - I think this is great that it is another opportunity to act by raising awareness of autism and Aspergers Syndrome but by local campaigns.
I don’t think it is stupid at all, Autism Sunday is not about a cure at all, there are people with Aspergers who support it and it is about showing compassion and acceptance. Nowhere does it talk about curing autism but it is in fact talking about raising awareness of autism and Aspergers and this can be done by peole of all faiths or no faith at all - and for anyone who is a religious believer of supporting through prayer - there are Aspies who are religious believers too and others are non-believers. Not only supporting by words but also by doing - I think this is great that it is another opportunity to act by raising awareness of autism and Aspergers Syndrome even through local campaigns.
Unfortunately, its on a Sunday!!!!! The politicians etc. are not at work.
Autism Sunday is far from stupid!!!!! It is to raise awareness…..not a cure!!!! Yes some may want a cure!!!! I don’t want a cure I love my son for who he is…………….I just want more people to be aware and accept peoples differences and if they aren’t aware of peoples differences and what causes them how can we expect them to accept and change the norm of things!!!!!!!
I am in full support of this, as a Aspie myself and Mother to two ASD children. There are those who want a cure for this but put quite simply, we would not be the incredible people we are NOW if this wasnt a part of our lives.
I do believe that there should be more understanding of the above. It affects every walk of life, colours and creeds/religions. Why shouldnt the ‘general’ public be made to be more aware of Autism/Aspergers.
I am thirty four, diagnosed last October and only now truely beginning to know myself and becoming more self aware in the respect of my strengths and weaknesses in regards to Aspergers. It isnt easy, particurely for the lovely man I am in a relationship with but….learning about this is not a bad thing at all and can only promote more understanding and patience as a consequence. This is good!!!
I think this is a great idea. My 12 year old is autistic and in my community most people don’t even what being autistic means. In this day and age it’s just shear ignorance, but who do we blame for this? I think kids in mainstream and special needs should be educated about autism and how it affects them and there everyday life, then they would have some kind of knowledge.
and understanding.
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