Aspies For Freedom

Is he your canine pal, Drifter?>


I've been thinking about getting someone like myself from the lost dogs' home.

Stella

lovely!

If it was a holiday retreat, I think it would have a great chance.
There is already Autreat in the US, and Autscape in the UK (recently started).
They are conference like/short break.

Some of us were discussing in the chatroom the other day, James particularly, was interested to start a holiday retreat, that could lead to something more permanent.

I think a price structure would have to set under firmer guidelines eventually. Such as those on benefits paying one tarriff, and a higher rate for those who are working.

I think we are in a different position in the sense of working, financial stability, and being organized, than the gay community.

More gay people have financial independence, and disposable income. Before the gay rights movement started, there were already gay bars etc, although they were 'underground'.

As our community is based largely online, we will surely develop differently, how that will actually manifest itself, I don't know.
But to prosper we do need to establish more offline.

Stella, I think we are all inspired by your posts, your occupation is an honest and honorable one.

Well the idea sounds all grand and such, I couldn't be bothered with it myself, firstly due to the fact that I'd not be allowed to have my NT son there yet I could have my HFA son there (almost like getting penalized for having an NT child and having my youngest son descriminated against) and secondly I have an unofficial dx from a professional, just it's not on my mental health records because that is what I wanted due to not wanting issues with custody and such if if ever arose. Add on the fact that I really couldn't tolerate living like in a dorm-type situation again (hard enough doing it for two years with about 30 people on the floor) even if I did have something in common with others, add on I'd have to deal with some other Aspies/Auties that would be intolerant of children period which would make it uncomfortable and unsuitable for myself and my children.

I don't think NTs would be disallowed, or that people would have to prove a diagnosis. It wouldn't be practical.

Being scattered is a big problem.
There are aspies who could be living next door to each other, and wouldn't know it, because there isn't that real life contact happening for many.

The first post here was from Drifter who I is in the UK. James' idea would also be for the UK afaik.

Whether something like this could be set up, the same idea could be done in the USA, or Canada and so on.

If on a really basic level it started as a small hotel in a seaside area (for example), and was run as a small business, it would have as much chance of success as most other small businesses of a similar nature.

The costs to set up such a venture, with business loan and mortgage, might be manageable for a small group, who would then work in the hotel and run it. However it would require that those people either live in the same area already, or move to the chosen location, and are capable of making a long term commitment.

Fund raising could be done before and after it was set up, but I think personally that its a very hard job to fundraise, and that a lot of emotional ploys need to made to garner donations, its a competitive field.
I don't know whether aspies would be good at doing that.

I suppose it's two different ideas then, if one was to provide inexpensive housing for people who have autism and AS, then it would need to be be something set up with the government, because the long term costs would be huge.

There are some places like that already, not many, and its like 'sheltered housing'. So it wouldn't be much different to what is happening in a few places now.

The other idea for a retreat/holiday place for auties and aspies, is not being done afaik. This would be possible to run as a non-profit business venture, with some funding from donations, if people were happy with the set up and enjoyed visiting there for holidays.

I saw a documentary about the Botton Village, it was very interesting.
I have never visited one though.

A less expensive option is to buy a piece of land, and get second-hand caravans/trailers, maybe some would be donated, and start with that.

I know that some charities have caravan on a resort park and rent it out cheaply to people who get help from them. That would be a very basic start.

8D Thats the way it is done do you not think so.

Greetings,

The disputes between various online communities (including this one) is testament to that.

"Have any of you ever tried living with a fellow autie/aspie as a roommate?"

Jockey, currently there are 3 of us on the spectrum living in our house, and it is peaceful and much better than living with NTs in the majority.