AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
HUNDREDS of people gathered in Prospect Park, Tilehurst for Reading’s first ever Autistic Pride Picnic, opened by Mayor of Reading Councillor Sarah Hacker.
The picnic, which took place at Prospect Park Railway - Reading Society of Model Engineers on Sunday June 14, was organised by Burghfield mum, Rachel Cotton.
Ms Cotton, who is autistic herself, decided that Reading should host its own picnic after becoming aware that other autistic pride events were happening around the world.
She said: “Today’s Autistic Pride picnic was brilliant. We had far more people attending than I ever expected.
“It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves and having fun. We aim to repeat the picnic next year and hope it will be even bigger. My aim is to see these events taking place all over the country and show that autism can be something to celebrate.”
During the day there were plenty of activities for children and families, including free train rides on the miniature railway. Also on offer were craft activities, sensory toys and circus skills from Oojamaflip.
There was a quiet area for autistic adults to read their own poetry and share their experiences of being autistic. Many of the adults were parents who had only discovered they were autistic following their child’s diagnosis.
Joining the discussions were Olley Edwards, award-winning director and film maker with autism and Anna Kennedy, who set up a school for children on the autism spectrum. Anna who has two sons with autism and is the founder of Autism’s Got Talent.
SOURCE: First Autistic Pride Picnic in Reading a great success : Reading Chronicle
HUNDREDS of people gathered in Prospect Park, Tilehurst for Reading’s first ever Autistic Pride Picnic, opened by Mayor of Reading Councillor Sarah Hacker.
The picnic, which took place at Prospect Park Railway - Reading Society of Model Engineers on Sunday June 14, was organised by Burghfield mum, Rachel Cotton.
Ms Cotton, who is autistic herself, decided that Reading should host its own picnic after becoming aware that other autistic pride events were happening around the world.
She said: “Today’s Autistic Pride picnic was brilliant. We had far more people attending than I ever expected.
“It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves and having fun. We aim to repeat the picnic next year and hope it will be even bigger. My aim is to see these events taking place all over the country and show that autism can be something to celebrate.”
During the day there were plenty of activities for children and families, including free train rides on the miniature railway. Also on offer were craft activities, sensory toys and circus skills from Oojamaflip.
There was a quiet area for autistic adults to read their own poetry and share their experiences of being autistic. Many of the adults were parents who had only discovered they were autistic following their child’s diagnosis.
Joining the discussions were Olley Edwards, award-winning director and film maker with autism and Anna Kennedy, who set up a school for children on the autism spectrum. Anna who has two sons with autism and is the founder of Autism’s Got Talent.
SOURCE: First Autistic Pride Picnic in Reading a great success : Reading Chronicle
