07-05-2007, 01:07 AM
Hello Folks,
I'm here to talk about a reality close to all of us.
Making opportunities for ourselves and our family members while
not bowing down to the demeaning idea that somehow we need a
cure. I started "Big Sky" with the idea of celebrating who
we are as well as serving economically disadvantaged families
living with challenging levels of autism. We don't take funds
from organizations that espouse the "cure" mission - we don't
need a cure, we deserve respect and equal opportunities that
may include various forms of therapies that improve our way of
life (of our choosing). That's what Big Sky is about.
This mission / ethic has hurt Big Sky in the economic sense. Most granting organizations seem to only give to big nonprofits that intend to "cure" - we are a small nonprofit that intends to increase
opportunities and independent joy for a lifetime of success.
All of our current staff are volunteer and hold
one to two jobs on the side in order to allow them to eat while
also serving Big Sky. We are calling all folks in our
community to do what they can to help Big Sky serve those
who can not afford services on their own. We don't just serve
the autistic community, we are the autistic community - 60% of our
staff is on the spectrum at a definitive level, to include me, the
director (unpaid). Whatever assistance folks can throw our way (to
include donation of service - we especially need occupational and
speech therapists, and all people on or off the spectrum who are
able and interested in mentoring young Big Sky clients and their
families). You can find us at http://www.bigskyfarm.4t.com - much appreciation to all of us who work and live on the autistic spectrum.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to being more involved in the discussions on Aspiesforfreedom (and donating some bucks to this good outlet for our collective growth).
I'm here to talk about a reality close to all of us.
Making opportunities for ourselves and our family members while
not bowing down to the demeaning idea that somehow we need a
cure. I started "Big Sky" with the idea of celebrating who
we are as well as serving economically disadvantaged families
living with challenging levels of autism. We don't take funds
from organizations that espouse the "cure" mission - we don't
need a cure, we deserve respect and equal opportunities that
may include various forms of therapies that improve our way of
life (of our choosing). That's what Big Sky is about.
This mission / ethic has hurt Big Sky in the economic sense. Most granting organizations seem to only give to big nonprofits that intend to "cure" - we are a small nonprofit that intends to increase
opportunities and independent joy for a lifetime of success.
All of our current staff are volunteer and hold
one to two jobs on the side in order to allow them to eat while
also serving Big Sky. We are calling all folks in our
community to do what they can to help Big Sky serve those
who can not afford services on their own. We don't just serve
the autistic community, we are the autistic community - 60% of our
staff is on the spectrum at a definitive level, to include me, the
director (unpaid). Whatever assistance folks can throw our way (to
include donation of service - we especially need occupational and
speech therapists, and all people on or off the spectrum who are
able and interested in mentoring young Big Sky clients and their
families). You can find us at http://www.bigskyfarm.4t.com - much appreciation to all of us who work and live on the autistic spectrum.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to being more involved in the discussions on Aspiesforfreedom (and donating some bucks to this good outlet for our collective growth).