Aspies For Freedom

First there were ribbons to raise money for disease research. Now the rage is bracelets. And among those who are following the lead of Lance Armstrong's yellow Livestrong bands for cancer research is a local group producing blue bracelets to help autistic children and their families.

The autism awareness puzzle bracelets went on sale the week of Dec. 12, and the first 500 went so fast that the all-volunteer organization AutismLink had 300 back-ordered by Christmas week. The group helps families with autistic children connect.

"I can't keep them in stock. I can't believe the fad. It's crazy," said Cindy Waeltermann of McCandless, a mother of two children with autism who founded the Web site and created the bracelets.

The AutismLink bracelet is dark blue with red, yellow and light blue puzzle pieces on them. Waeltermann explained that the puzzle pieces are a symbol representing the mystery or puzzle of an autistic person's mind.

The bracelets, available at http://www.autismlink .com , cost $5.

Proceeds go to AutismLink efforts such as outings for children and for the group's respite program for parents, done in conjunction with the Wesley Institute of Richland.

http://www.post-gazette .com/pg/04363/433192.stm

If they have made $2500 in a couple of weeks, they will be making a lot of money in the future, it says "The group helps families with autistic children connect." I wonder what that actually means, and how they will spend the money?

It looks a bit childish  :?

I don't see the point of wearing it, can someone explain to me why I'd want to wear it?

Is there a point even other than to raise money?

No, its all about the money it seems.

That whole puzzle theme is really starting to annoy me.

Well, I wouldn't wear it.

It looks tacky, and reinforces the impression that autism is a play-school disorder.  :roll:

Totally naff.

Stella

Yeah, I don't like it either. One thing, I don't like wearing bracelets. Another thing, it does look sort of tacky, like you mentioned.

:!: Mich :?:

I wouldn't wear it either. Like what the rest of you said it looks tacky and childish. It makes autism look as if it's a childhood disorder that people grow out of in adulthood which is not true.
I would be embarrassed to wear that in public even if I do want autism to get more recognition.
Yes, autism is an enigma but it's not like people have to put a puzzle together to figure us out or in more ridiculous terms "find the normal person locked within us"
I wish that there was a better symbol to represent us.

We should make our own bracelets. Not just for AFF but for the entire autistic community. I don't know about how it should look like though but it shall be something that refutes all stereotypes and misconceptions.
I liked Edan's idea of the orange bracelet but I don't feel that it would reflect the autistic community enough, it's complicated for me to explain why though.

Any suggestions for a design of a bracelet? One that reflects the REAL autistic community. There would be a few problems though:

1. How would it be manufactured?
2. Would it be too expensive?
3. How could we widely distribute it to the world? The aspie community is far and few inbetween. (Selling it online might be a good idea)

What about something with the AFF infinity logo? It wouldnt have to say AFF if people wanted something more general, just the infinity sign in spectrum colours.
When we came up with the idea for a logo for AFF, this was in a meeting with me and gareth and shadow and wolfy, we thought that the infinity sign was a good representative for autistic perserverance. And the spectrum colours for the autistic spectrum.
Crucibelle drew this logo for us.

Does anyone think that if we found a manufacturer, that people would buy it online to raise funds?

That was what popped into my head, even though I'm not fond of bracelets very much. It sure looks like an "autism link" in a way, and the infinity shape would be unique for a bracelet. I can see it now...autistics with infinity-shaped rainbow bracelets around their wrists...different, in a good way.

:!: Mich :?:

More puzzle fun!! yeah right