Greetings, Good Deeds & Granola
Greetings from the land down under! I am having a marvelous time in Melbourne, and still having to pinch myself that this is my actual life. I went from laid off and lost, stressed with terrible insomnia and a lot of indecision, to pursuing my passions full time. Last year I spent my birthday on a wild Alaskan adventure and I'm now fully committed to pet-sits for my 3 month Australian Visitor Visa. I am looking forward to exploring the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Sydney. It's hard to believe I'm living in Australia until November, and this crazy half baked full time travel plan has been working for 16 months already.
Somehow Autism has become a big part of my life. I’ve been virtually assisting a clinic that supports kids with special needs, particularly ones with Autism Spectrum Disorders. One of my best friends was just diagnosed with Autism, and honestly I've always exhibited enough autistic quirks to wonder if I'm on the spectrum as well. I have a lot of empathy for people that are misunderstood because they are wired a little differently. I just started virtually volunteering for a non-profit called Luv Michael. They help support Autistic adults with training and job opportunities. I’ve already awkwardly emailed my friends and family to help, and I have no idea if anyone reading would be interested in joining us, but I wanted to put it out there. I'm really impressed with this organization and their mission, and would love to do something to help them through this crazy economy and new world we're all navigating.
Did you know that 90% of Autistic adults are under or un-employed and 400% more likely to commit suicide? In the next couple of years over 1M autistic adults will be entering a work force that isn't prepared to accommodate them. I double checked with my clinic, and they said they have had wonderful experiences sending patients there to help them transition from their parents to independence.
I'm hosting a fundraiser for my birthday this year, and I'd really love your assistance helping Luv Michael. The spoiled spinster soul sabbatical is all about working to live, and embracing independence and freedom. I'd be honored to work together to help some really deserving and underserved people achieve the same. Can you help? Every tiny donation helps, but a $35 donation will get you their organic gluten-free granola and the knowledge that you helped provide education, training, opportunities, and independence to some young adults with special superpowers. Added bonus that it's a 501c3 and your donation is tax deductible. I don't know about you, but I've been completely overwhelmed by this crazy world we're living in. I can't imagine how it would feel as an autistic adult trying to enter the fray and find my footing.
No pressure. I’m just looking for ways to make the world a slightly better place, and this one feels pretty simple.
Sending all my love from Oz.
Lyssa
