Wednesday, November 21, 2007

DESIGNERS WANTED!! AUTISM SPEAKS IN SECOND LIFE NEEDS YOU!


As you all know, I am Daphne Molinari. I've been a resident here for over 4 years and have watched many of you grow and prosper here in SL. I have started a fund raising organization called Autism Speaks in Second Life. With the huge success of Relay for Life, which I have been a supporter of for the past 2 years, I felt it was time to bring a new worthy cause here.

With the help of many friends here in SL it's time to launch and start raising awareness about Autism and the many levels on the Autism Spectrum to try and make a difference. There are many groups in SL that bring awareness about Autism, but this is the first that will work hand in hand with Autism Speaks to raise money for research and funding for families that have children, teenagers and adults in need of therapy.

What I am looking for is designers and content creators willing to donate items, for events that will be taking place here in world. This weekend kicks off an event hosted by the SL Starfleet.

Many of you have recieved a folder that I passed out, with a Kiosk and some literature about Autism Speaks. I am proud to say that with just the placement of that kiosk in world we've already raised about 60k L to donate.

If you would like to donate items please send them to Daphne Stephanopolis, (my alter ego) or Daphne Molinari. Also if you have any questions or would like to sponsor an event please do not hesitate to contact me in world.

Thank you in advance for your time! I look forward to hearing from you.

Daphne

6 comments:

Faery Sola said...

BRILLIANT! Good on you Daphne =D I am a teacher in RL and more specifically a Special Ed teacher; I work with students with ASD & AS so am thrilled that you've bought this great initiative to SL.

One question though... is the money raised only going to american research and funding as I believe was the case for Relay for life? (not that I am bagging Relay for life in any way... any help and awareness campaign is good!)

The rate of diagnosis of ASD has blown out exponentially over the past 20 years, and is a huge issue on an international scale... I'd love for this to be international.

I'll see what I can do about hooking you up with some Australian ASD organisations if you'd like? I'm sure there will be others out there who could do similar in their own countries.

I'll get onto making some items for your wonderful campaign! good luck!

Teagan Blackthorne said...

Toss me one of those folder in world please.

Anonymous said...

Hello Daphne;
How may I be of help? Contact me in SL.

Michelle said...

Daphne, Great Idea! I would like to network with you and share ideas and energy. THis is my fund raiser for my non profit the Autism Spectrum Alternative Program
www.asapranch.org

the GALLERY of ODDS & ENDS

The concept to “pay it forward,” passing on a received kindness to someone unknown, is very rewarding. The Gallery of Odds & Ends is based on this concept and will receive donations on behalf of any non-profit organization. All items donated to the store are sold. Proceeds benefit your favorite non-profit organization!

The Gallery of Odds & Ends is looking for antiques, artwork, collectables, one-of-a-kind items, old, gently used and new tools, all kinds of jewelry, vintage and unusual clothing, items with organizational logos, western memorabilia, and other odds and ends.

This is a great way to easily part with treasures and “pay it forward” to someone who will continue to treasure it. With your donations, shopping, networking and volunteering all of our non-profit organizations will win!

I have another idea that you may be able to get off the ground better than I that I would like to share with you. Please contact me if you are interested.
Michelle
michelle@asapranch.org

Gareth Nelson said...

Why not do something which will actually help autistics instead of supporting autism speaks?

Autism speaks raise money for genetic research primarily, and to my knowledge have never donated a penny to services for autistic adults or education. Furthermore, their propaganda such as "autism every day" (in which their founder states how she would like to have driven off a bridge with her autistic daughter, but didn't as she had an NT child too) has even been linked to copycat child murders. Weeks after this video was released, more parents killed their autistic children.

This is apart from the fact that their stated aims of eliminating autism is akin to genocide. "Relay for life" is a good and noble cause. Supporting a hate group such as autism speaks is the precise opposite.

They recently merged with CAN (Cure Autism Now) - would you support them if they were supporting an organisation known as "Cure Black skin Now"?

I hope this does not offend, my goal is to inform people of the truth of whom they are sponsoring.

If you want to support autistics themselves here's a good place to get started:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_rights_movement
http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com
http://www.aspiesforfreedom.org/wiki
http://www.autistics.org

Please do the right thing and do not support autism speaks in SL. SL is one place where many autistics can come together without so much fear of ridicule or being made to feel so unwelcome. Please preserve this, don't fight against it.

Gareth Nelson
Aspies for Freedom

Gareth Nelson said...

A few more links about autism speaks in particular:
http://www.autism-hub.co.uk/autism-speaks-dont-speak-for-me/index.php
http://autisticbfh.blogspot.com/2007/09/autism-speaks-attacks-local-charitys.html
http://www.autismvox.com/autism-speaks-now/
http://autism.about.com/b/2007/06/07/autism-speaks-problems-grow.htm
http://tanglebones.com/articles/2006/05/21/autism-speaks-doesnt-speak-for-me/ (this one mentions the death threats made in autism every day)
http://ballastexistenz.autistics.org/?cat=202
http://www.zone38.net/aut/2007/06/03/an-autistic-speaks-about-autism-speaks/
http://autismdiva.blogspot.com/2007/08/when-autism-speaks-nih-obeys.html
http://shhmumisthinking.blogspot.com/2006/05/autism-speaks-once-again-fuels-culture.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5488463