Autistic Mutual Aid Society

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Dear friends,

Since so many programs for autistics are being defunded left and right, and families are stuck with these large bills for forced psychiatric treatment, people are unemployed and often have trouble paying rent, people have few resources in many areas, I was wondering if there was any interest in starting a small fund on IndieGoGo or GoFundMe to raise a WP.net health and welfare fund.

It doesn't have to be big - it can be very small even starting with a couple of hundred dollars, and even as small as getting an autistic friend's car fixed, helping to keep the lights on, or something of that nature. Or helping libraries get books on autism that are not pro-cure.

What do you guys think?

it will have to be something the higher-functioning AS types get off the ground, in each area. in my neck of the woods, we set up a square pegs aspie mutual support group.

Yes. Go for it.

Now, to pin down it's purpose further. What sort of aid would it offer?

I am thinking of first starting a scholarship for WP members in college and then a 'susu' or 'kye' (terms in Ghanaian and Korean cultures respectively for a rotating fund) for people who seek major projects such as moving out of their parents house, fixing cars, legal aid and stuff like that, that can be tapped at any time or on a turn basis.

Not everyone in the group has to be higher functioning either but employed people would have to bear the brunt of charity work until it is off the ground.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susu_account

it will have to start small and local, and build up from there.

ER, I think you have the start of a good idea with some form of "mutual assistance" group. Might I also suggest identifying pro-Aspie areas (for reasons such as supports, Aspie-friendly businesses, good transportation, etc.) for people who might be looking to change locations?

This would allow for more effective use of limited resources, and also allow local contributors to see that their donation had a local impact.

I think it will probably have to start with existing regional groups, though it should be possible to do it online. As long as you can avoid scammers.