walkingautism.org

Introduction

Welcome to Walking Autism.

This is a project to raise awareness, acceptance, understanding and support about autism in my home of Kenya and Africa as a whole.

Being autistic myself, I remember the emotional pain of growing up with no support system or education about autism and how it negatively affected my life, as well as knowing the stigma and discrimination which is prevalent in all areas of the continent.

The aim of this project is to play a part in generating a much more open and inclusive understanding of autism in Africa, more so in the impoverished communities.

Walking is a direct way of reaching the people who need this help the most.

Welcome to the journey!

Walking Autism: The Project

Walking Autism is a project to raise awareness and acceptance of autism and other disabilities through the African continent, focusing on impoverished areas where knowledge, education, support, and information is lacking.

Walking with camels carrying the luggage for easier access to the remote areas, better communications with the general public, and a wider reach - This is how i will engage with the public.

We will give talks at schools, clinics, faith based groups, communities and the general public. We will create ways to offer support in communities, families, and through the government.

It is critical to emphasize the importance of education, creating support, and a way for people to understand and work with autism and other disabilities.

De-stigmatizing and ending discrimination of people and encouraging communities to work together is key to a healthy society.

It is important to create support systems and encourage more compassion and understanding of autism and other disabilities for a more productive society.

Attitudes towards mental disability in Africa.

While attitudes have been changing over the years towards disabilities on the Continent, there are still parts where mental disability is steeped in stigma and discrimination and disabilities are quite a taboo subject.

This is especially true in the rural, impoverished areas, where the means of education, support and understanding are lacking.

Often a child born with disabilities will not receive any schooling due to the lack of education for disabled persons and/ or a constructive learning environment.

An adult with disabilities will not be able to gain employment or be financially stable. Stigma and discrimination are high and attitudes of witchcraft are prevalent. In extreme cases, disabled persons are abused, both physically, sexually and/ or murdered.