Last Wednesday, I took Nadiah to KFC near our house after fetching her from NASOM. She loves going out for a bite especially to places where we have to order at the counter and get the food ourselves i.e. KFC, McDonald's. Don't even think of Pizza Hut's salad bar coz she would just scoop up just about everything just for the fun of it.
Anyway, we had finished our meal and I was getting up and telling Nadiah to go wash her hands, when a guy sat at the table next to ours with his tray of burger, a drink and Cheesy Wedges. And while she passed the table, Nadiah just casually dipped her finger in the melted cheese and licked away. I was horrified and embarrassed and started apologizing to the guy. But he was cool about it and said that it was okay. Then he asked me if she was autistic. I was really surprised but told him yes, she was. The guy said that it's totally okay because he understands very well about autism. So I asked him if he's had experienced with autistic kids and apparently he did a research on autism and that's why he understood.
The thing is, I've never met anyone in the general public who's not a parent of an autie, or someone who works in a place that deals with auties, and understands kids like Nadiah. Especially in situations like this when she disregards common courtesy and just barged her way in. See, an autie has no telling features that you take one look and know that the kid is special. So when you tell people that she is autistic and a special child , they'll take one look and starts doubting you. And especially around here, autism awareness in sadly lacking in the general public. Not a lot of people know what autism is or has even heard of it.
Incidentally, NASOM Alor Setar will be having a charity event on the 8th of May where we'll be selling tickets of RM20 each and with the ticket, you can come to the even and eat all you want. There will be lots of food and we'll be taking the opportunity to spread public awareness about autism. If you're interested in buying tickets and making donations, do let me know. The event will be taking place at WNS Homestay, from 11.30am - 4.00pm.
Then on the 21-22 May, NASOM Alor Setar will be taking part in another charity event which will be hosted by the Yayasan Sultanah Bahiyah. We'll have an information booth where people can come and ask, read and listen about autism. At the same time, we are planning on selling handmade greeting cards to raise some money. The cards will be made by some of the students, including Nadiah (oh boy, she'll have so much fun making all that mess with sticky glue), and teachers and parents.. well the latter would be me. I've asked for some immediate help for some card making stash from my scrapper friends and am so grateful for their support. Some have already started sending the stickers, flowers and embellishments to be used by the kids and some are even making cards so we can sell them straight away. I'm so lucky in my friends!!
So if you would like to help out in whatever way, do let me know. I hope in the near future more people will be made aware of what autism is and how they can help in giving these children a better life.
Anyway, we had finished our meal and I was getting up and telling Nadiah to go wash her hands, when a guy sat at the table next to ours with his tray of burger, a drink and Cheesy Wedges. And while she passed the table, Nadiah just casually dipped her finger in the melted cheese and licked away. I was horrified and embarrassed and started apologizing to the guy. But he was cool about it and said that it was okay. Then he asked me if she was autistic. I was really surprised but told him yes, she was. The guy said that it's totally okay because he understands very well about autism. So I asked him if he's had experienced with autistic kids and apparently he did a research on autism and that's why he understood.
The thing is, I've never met anyone in the general public who's not a parent of an autie, or someone who works in a place that deals with auties, and understands kids like Nadiah. Especially in situations like this when she disregards common courtesy and just barged her way in. See, an autie has no telling features that you take one look and know that the kid is special. So when you tell people that she is autistic and a special child , they'll take one look and starts doubting you. And especially around here, autism awareness in sadly lacking in the general public. Not a lot of people know what autism is or has even heard of it.
Incidentally, NASOM Alor Setar will be having a charity event on the 8th of May where we'll be selling tickets of RM20 each and with the ticket, you can come to the even and eat all you want. There will be lots of food and we'll be taking the opportunity to spread public awareness about autism. If you're interested in buying tickets and making donations, do let me know. The event will be taking place at WNS Homestay, from 11.30am - 4.00pm.
Then on the 21-22 May, NASOM Alor Setar will be taking part in another charity event which will be hosted by the Yayasan Sultanah Bahiyah. We'll have an information booth where people can come and ask, read and listen about autism. At the same time, we are planning on selling handmade greeting cards to raise some money. The cards will be made by some of the students, including Nadiah (oh boy, she'll have so much fun making all that mess with sticky glue), and teachers and parents.. well the latter would be me. I've asked for some immediate help for some card making stash from my scrapper friends and am so grateful for their support. Some have already started sending the stickers, flowers and embellishments to be used by the kids and some are even making cards so we can sell them straight away. I'm so lucky in my friends!!
So if you would like to help out in whatever way, do let me know. I hope in the near future more people will be made aware of what autism is and how they can help in giving these children a better life.
2 comments:
Aku tak boleh pi, tapi aku boleh beli tickets and hang bagi lah kat sapa sapa okie
sms aku account number hang nanti
Sungguh la pemurah kawanku sorang ni. Aminnn!!!
TQ, TQ.. nnt I will sms you.
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