Autism Sunday

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has written to the Co-Founders of Autism Sunday, British campaigners Ivan and Charika Corea invoking God's blessings, strength and peace on the Autism Community. He has also stated that he appreciates the concerns over autism.

Autism Sunday - also known as the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome takes place on Sunday 8th February 2009. Cathedrals, Churches and religious organisations will remember over 60 million people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome around the world and over 500,000 people with autism in the UK in prayer.

Ministers, parliamentarians and dignitaries are to attend a Service for Autism to mark Autism Sunday at one of the largest churches on the east side of London at All Saint's Church, Inman's Row, Woodford Wells.

Ivan Corea, co-Founder of Autism Sunday said: 'We are delighted that His Holiness the Pope will be remembering parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in his prayers on Autism Sunday. We are urging World Leaders including President Barack Obama to speak up for Autism on Autism Sunday.'

Photo courtesy of Agência Brasil

Autism Sunday 2009 will be held on Sunday 8th February 2009.Autism advocates are now preparing to speak out on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome to mark this international day. Autism Sunday is also the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome remembering over 60 million people with autism and AS in prayer.

Autism Campaigners, Ivan and Charika Corea, founders of Autism Sunday have issued a worldwide call to parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome to lobby and campaign on the issues concerned with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome leading up to Autism Sunday on 8th February 2009.

WRITE to the President or the Prime Minister of the Government in your country - urge them to speak out on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome on 8th February 2009 and ask them to spell out their plans to help parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

CONTACT LEADERS OF FAITH COMMUNITIES - ask them to issue a message on Autism Sunday and show how they would encourage faith communities to support the marginalised and the vulnerable particularly during the deepening recession and the economic downturn hitting many nations around the world.

WRITE prayers for autism and Asperger’s Syndrome and ask your church or religious organisation to feature them on Autism Sunday.

WEAR YOU AUTISM AWARENESS RIBBON to raise awareness of autism and Asperger’s Syndrome on 8th February 2009.

CONTACT THE LOCAL MEDIA IN YOUR COUNTRY - ask them to feature autism and Asperger’s Syndrome on Sunday 8th February 2009 - share your story for Autism Sunday.

ORGANISE AWARENESS RAISING EVENTS ON AUTISM AND ASPERGER’S SYNDROME on the weekend of Saturday 7th February leading to Autism Sunday.

ASK THE HEADS OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES to speak about autism and Asperger’s Syndrome leading up to Autism Sunday in assemblies and school meetings.

CONTACT YOUR MINISTER/PASTOR/FAITH LEADER about Autism Sunday and ask them to highlight Autism Sunday in services.

‘OPEN EVERY DOOR’ THE SONG FOR AUTISM HAS BEEN RE-RELEASED FOR AUTISM SUNDAY 2009 ask your local radio station to feature this moving song for autism sung by Gresha Schuilling and written by Nimal Mendis. The song can be downloaded from iTunes.

WRITE TO YOUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND LOCAL COUNCILS - urge them to raise matters concerning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome in your country’s parliament and in local councils/committees.

CONTRIBUTE YOUR FILMS FOR AUTISM SUNDAY ON YOUTUBE - add your films for Autism Sunday and a call to the leaders of nations to speak out on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome leading up to Autism Sunday 2009.

DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS ON AUTISM AND ASPERGER’S SYNDROME in events leading up to Autism Sunday in order to raise greater awareness of the issues.

People around the world have been asked to use the opportunity and campaign on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome in events leading up to Autism Sunday.

Autism Sunday 2009 - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome falls on Sunday 8th February 2009. Cathedrals, Churches and religious organisations have been asked to observe Autism Sunday and remember over 60 million people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in prayer.

Autism Awareness Ribbons are now going on sale on ebay to mark Autism Sunday 2009. A Mom in the United States is selling autism awareness ribbons to mark the day. Please note this is being done independently by a Mom who sells autism ribbons. The organisers of Autism Sunday have no control over this. There are other sites also selling autism ribbons, mugs,bracelets etc.

Please wear an autism awareness ribbon on Autism Sunday on 8th february and campaign and lobby on the issues dealing with autism.

Here is the site on ebay.com -

Autism Awareness Ribbon Ribbons *HIGH QUALITY
Perfect to celebrate AUTISM SUNDAY on February 8th

http://cgi.ebay.com/Autism-Awareness-Ribbon-Ribbons-HIGH-QUALITY_W0QQitemZ260348899889QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPins_Brooches?hash=item260348899889&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A131301%3A1|293%3A2|294%3A50

Autism Sunday is fast approaching - scheduled for Sunday 8th February 2009. This day is also known as the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome as people focus their hearts and minds and prayers on the worldwide Autism Community - they will be remembering over 60 million people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome in prayer, across many nations.

US Campaigners are calling on President Barack Obama to open the gates of the ‘People’s White House’ to mark Autism Sunday 2009 and invite representatives of parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome - this has never been done before, no President of the United States has ever invited the Autism Community into the White House in Washington DC.

President Obama has promised change and the change agenda needs to embrace the Autism Community. US autism advocates are calling on the 44th President of the United States to open up the White House and show that he is inclusive. They are calling for firm action on the issues concerning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Autism Sunday is the first major date in the international calendar where autism is concerned - autism advocates are using the opportunity to campaign hard on the issues of healthcare and education urging President Obama to speak out on autism on 8th February.

Cathedrals, Churches and organisations are observing Autism Sunday around the world. Autism Sunday was launched in the United Kingdom in 2002. The focus is on celebrating the lives of children and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

President Obama has promised to give autism top priority. The President is also extending his hand to parents and carers who struggle to cope with life.

The new White House website has featured autism:

President Obama and Vice President Biden are committed to supporting Americans with Autism Spectrum Disorders (“ASD”), their families, and their communities. There are a few key elements to their support, which are as follows:

* First, President Obama and Vice President Biden support increased funding for autism research, treatment, screenings, public awareness, and support services. There must be research of the treatments for, and the causes of, ASD.

* Second, President Obama and Vice President Biden support improving life-long services for people with ASD for treatments, interventions and services for both children and adults with ASD.

* Third, President Obama and Vice President Biden support funding the Combating Autism Act and working with Congress, parents and ASD experts to determine how to further improve federal and state programs for ASD.

* Fourth, President Obama and Vice President Biden support universal screening of all infants and re-screening for all two-year-olds, the age at which some conditions, including ASD, begin to appear. These screenings will be safe and secure, and available for every American that wants them. Screening is essential so that disabilities can be identified early enough for those children and families to get the supports and services they need.

All eyes are now on the President as we approach Autism Sunday.......

http://www.bloggernews.net/119456

Autism Campaigners in the United States of America and around the world are calling on President Elect Barack Obama to to speak out on Autism Sunday - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome which falls on 8th February 2009. President Elect Obama takes over the Office of the President of the United States in January. Autism Sunday would be the first international date in connection with the serious educational health issues concerning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Many parents, carers and people with autism are struggling to cope with life. In some countries in Africa and Asia there are hardly any public services.

Cathedrals, churches and religious organisations have been urged to observe Autism Sunday 2009 to pray for over 60 million people with autism. 1 in 150 children in the United States are on the autism spectrum. President Elect Obama has been urged to spell out his plans for autism on Autism Sunday 2009.

Autism Sunday was launched in 2002 in the United Kingdom by parents and carers Ivan and Charika Corea - they have a son with autism spectrum disorder. A historic service was held at St.Paul’s Cathedral in 2002 to mark Autism Sunday. Since then churches and religious groups around the world have been marking the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Ivan Corea, Co-Founder of Autism Sunday, appealed to President Elect Barack Obama to speak out on Autism Sunday 2009. ‘We are urging world leaders and church leaders to speak out on autism on Autism Sunday. This is an opportunity for parents, carers and people with autism to campaign on the serious issues concerning autism. Many families with autism are suffering as a result of the economic downturn and the global recession. Many are in winter fuel poverty. They have to decide between heating and eating. Even in the United States and in the United Kingdom, homes belonging to families with autism have been re-possessed by banks. We call on world leaders including President Elect Barack Obama to speak out on autism.

A US based website Aspie Web.Net Blog has offered prayer suggestions for religious organisations in America - in support of Autism Sunday 2009. They include prayer ideas for the United States and Autism in general:

* Please pray that the Obama administration seek the advice of Autistic Individuals when developing strategies on Autism.
* Please pray that insurance companies be forced to cover scientifically proven therapies.
* Please pray for growing communication between Autism Self-Advocates and lawmakers.
* Please pray that needs of Autistic Individuals can be met in the slow economy.
* Please pray that lies that are harming the autistic community be squashed.
* Please pray for acceptance of the Autistic Community in the church, community, by employers, educational institutions and wherever they may go.

http://www.bloggernews.net/119287

utism campaigners are urging world leaders and church leaders across the nations to speak out on autism on Autism Sunday, the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Autism Sunday takes
place on 8th February 2009.

World leaders and Church Leaders have been asked to reach out to parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Autism Sunday was initiated in 2002 Autism Awareness Year in the United Kingdom.

Churches and religious organisations have been asked to observe Autism Sunday and remember over 60 million people with autism in prayer. Many suffer without adequate public services. The economic downturn and the present financial crisis has put pressure on families with autism below the poverty line in many countries. Campaigners are also concerned that there are families with autism who are in winter fuel poverty.

Ivan Corea, Co-Founder of Autism Sunday said: 'I do believe that faith communities have a role to play where autism is concerned. We are appealing to world leaders and religious leaders to speak out on autism. Many are struggling because of the global recession. Faith communities can reach out to the poor and help them. They can also speak out against the re-possessions of homes belonging to families with autism. In Africa and Asia food bills have soared. Autism Sunday is an opportunity to campaign on autism and Asperger's Syndrome and speak out on the serious issues concerning the vulnerable.'

http://www.huliq.com/212/75412/autism-sunday-2009-worldchurch-leaders-urged-speak-out-autism

Autism Sunday 2009 - The International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome falls on Sunday 8th February 2009. Cathedrals, Churches and religious organisations have been asked to remember 60 million people with autism around the world in prayer. Autism is now a very serious education and health issue facing many nations.

Autism Sunday was launched in 2002 in the United Kingdom by parents and carers Ivan and Charika Corea - the inspiration behind their campaign is 12 year old Charin who has autism spectrum disorder. History was created in 2002 when the first ever Service for Autism Sunday was held at St.Paul’s Cathedral in London. The media covered the event attended by parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

The organisers are calling on churches around the world to remember families with autism in prayer particularly during the global recession. World leaders are being asked to do more for people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

For further particulars:
http://autismsunday.tripod.com

http://www.bloggernews.net/119239