Day 1 - Burpees & Autism

Autism Awareness Week 2021

It begins: I'm setting aside my dignity for 7 days for #autismawarenessweek. Laugh and help me help The National Autistic Society by donating here https://lnkd.in/gikQjGJ

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am as active of mind as I'm lazy of body. I will take an elevator to go up to the first floor, have groceries delivered to my door and Amazon-prime everything else - even before the pandemic. You can see my Health app on the cover, showing my 1800 daily average step count for the past year - and I have an Apple Watch, so, that counter is legit.

Here's my commitment: I will exercise every day of Autism Awareness Week, increasing the daily reps count by 7 (because math is nice), and I will film the effort for your entertainment. My bunnies might also make an appearance, they're very supportive of neurodiversity.  

So, come laugh at me (sweating and swearing and hating every minute of it), learn some facts and stats and feel peer-pressured to donate!

Some serious bits - and why you should donate

I've been diagnosed with autism officially in 2020, although I'd known it in myself for some years. 

Awareness of what neurodiversity is and what it truly means is not just important for neurotypicals, it's also vital for ourselves. I found out so, so much about this world and how my brain reacts to it in the past few years, and I barely scratched the surface. 

The main thing I learned is that I am lucky. My skills and talents fit well with the career path I found myself in, and some other stars aligned throughout my life that made my choices generally work out with minimum need for assistance.

Most people on the spectrum are not so lucky. We live in a world shaped around neurotypicals, alternative thinking doesn't often have a place and day-to-day life is filled with struggles and obstacles that are a breeze for some but hell for others. It is estimated that only 15% of adults with autism are in full time employment, and only 22% are employed at all.

Donating to the National Autistic Society will help many NDs receive the right support and guidance, as well as spread knowledge and education on this fantastic and misunderstood universe.

Help create a society that works for autistic people.

Some good material to get you started

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism

https://neuroclastic.com/2019/05/04/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/