Thread by @patriciageezed

In my late 40's, seeing nothing in #NovaScotia for #ActuallyAustistic women, I started a group which has become a program.

The program expanded to the creation of a teen group as well.

Yesterday our teen group did a scavenger hunt in the Camp Hill Cemetery.

I developed the ++

activity. I provided a history, etiquette for while we were there, and the questions of what we were looking for.

One of the graves that I wanted them to find was Viola Desmond.

We did and talked about her activism and reflected on the changes she made.

We found many ++

interesting headstones. Ones made of iron! Ones from the 1800's, Norwegian Merchant Marines, etc.

We had an amazing time!

I made them all giggle when I found this stone and covered the L 🤭

2 Wednesdays a month I drive an hour to go spend time with these amazing #ActuallyAustistic teen girls.

When we got back from the scavenger hunt, the room was a buzz with excitement and laughter. I stood back, looking at what I'd created.

A safe, welcoming space.

Something I +

never had as a teen.

Our group doesn't demand a diagnosis. We don't ask anyone sit still. We encourage stimming. We don't care if you wear headphones, or don't feel like using spoken words.

It took a #disabled #ActuallyAustistic person to make this happen.

While it should ++

always be #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs, I wish those with the power to make lasting societal changes would meet us halfway.

Our group all stopped and noted how on the nose this headstone is.

Someone said there should be an arrow pointing downwards.

We all chuckled. We get each ++

other and more than that, we need each other.

#AutisticOxygen is life saving to #ActuallyAustistic folxs.

Why can't the @nsgov see the immense value in that?

Why can't everyone see it?

#AutisticPeopleNeedEachOther

#AutismAcceptanceMonth

#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

#autistic