transportautism.org.uk

Happy Holidays, I wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

I wanted to send you a quick message to thank you for your support over the past year, update you on progress and invite you to consider some things for the following year.

It is with some personal trepidation that I send this, because in truth, the churning feeling in my stomach and tightness in my chest tell me I am quite scared of making my next move. What’s worse, I have to admit, I am not even sure what it is.

As you have probably rightly guessed, there is an element of ‘Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway’ to this entire project, each step along the way being like taking a high dive from the top board for me.

Transport Autism started because:

• I am autistic and have been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome
• I have panic attacks and feel many of the problems I have had could have been prevented if I had received more support earlier in life (my experience will be of immense value to younger people struggling with similar issues)
• I love Vintage cars and notice an ability in other autistic people to research the history of things and categorise them
• I notice Biggleswade needs something to bring people to the town, that will provide it with income, rather than simply provide cheap housing for people who will work in London, tax existing resources and complain their children have nothing to do (except take drugs and vandalise things)

Overall, I am aiming, with your help, to create an opportunity for autistic (and other disabled people) as well as doing something about the derelict buildings which are currently an eye sore in the town centre.

Most recently, we put together a business plan for seed funding to have an office and display in Biggleswade.

I approached the Big Lottery Fund for advice and the whole charity thing needs rethinking.

I recognise, I need to accurately research the viability of the project before going any further.

So what can you do to help?

Help me find ways to identify the difference the project will make.

Start communicating with one another via the email group.

Fuel discussions about anything you like, Autism? Biggleswade? Cars? Tractors?

Make it your new year’s resolution to become an active member of this community (note – we will be organising more public meetings in the New Year).

Let me know if there really is a need for employment for autistic people in Biggleswade?

How many people?

Where are they?

Who are they?

Are you autistic?

Is your child autistic?

How old are they?

What difference can you make to them?

Exciting isn’t it!

It takes more than a little persistence to get these ideas to happen.

Looking forward to working with you in 2011.

Kind regards,

Transport Autism

Finally, a very special thank you to AM CLASSICAL CAR ACCESSORIES who provided us with a Berkeley sports car hub cap for sculptor Terry Ives to make our new sign with.

Enter your email address to join the Google group…

See you in the New Year.

Thankyou.