Continuation of Autism Advocacy in the New Year

I have finally got some time to sit down and write my New Years blog. I have recently went on a trip to meet Peter down in the snowy mountains where I explored the mountain terrain and even hiked along the Main Range Track which starts and ends at Charlottes Pass. It is a 22 kilometre loop which took us across the Snowy River and up over Mt Carruthers towards the summit of Kosciuszko itself, then by Rawson's Pass and down the hill back towards the starting point. It was no easy task especially for me as previously the longest walk I have down was about 5 kilometres. I really got to prove to myself I am more capable than what I sometimes think I cannot do and sometimes you just need a bit of a nudge.

So now to our teams new projects for the year. Recently we have been networking with other Autism Groups in close proximity to the Orange group including Bathurst (FB page for Bathurst Aspergers & Autism Support Group), Wagga Wagga (http://www.waggaautismgroup.org.au) and Lithgow ( FB Lithgow Nanna's Touch ASD Support Group). While looking around the region we noticed that Dubbo does not have an Autism group. We have started to advertise to the people of Dubbo who are stakeholders in the Autism community to come forward and assist us in establishing a monthly meeting and extra recreational activities with a focus on the outdoors and having new experiences. To read developments into the Dubbo Autism Support and Social group please see here FB page DubboAutism.

In the new year Orange will have its own separate Adult Aspie Social Group meetings. These meetings will be at  79-81 Kite Street Orange (parking available in the Woolworths Carpark) @ 7pm ON the 2nd Tuesday of the month starting in February 2014 on the 11th.

For the month of February we have teamed up with the Rural and Remote Autism Network to start our "Give the Habit a Flick in February" where you give up alcohol or another a luxury close to you that you spend your money on and donate the money that would be spent on your habit to charity. Please see out every-day-hero account for me details https://give.everydayhero.com/au/supporting-people-in-orange-with-autism.

In the near future as we collaborate with our stakeholders we will have a more detailed plan for the New Year and these will be announced on the blog and social media. I hope all readers have enjoyed their festivities of the season and from the Orange and abroad team we wish you a prosperous and rewarding 2014. Please stay tuned for further updates and feel free to comment away on your Autism communities plans for 2014 or anything else that you feel is relevant. We look forward to announcing our exciting new plans in the New Year!!