An Aberdeenshire dad is on a crusade to empower the autistic community and encourage understanding and acceptance for people with the condition.
Ross Fraser has devoted the last two years to building a new world for those on the spectrum, where they can feel included and loved for who they are.
After struggling with autism for most of his life, the 43-year-old took it upon himself to improve the lives of others who might also often feel misunderstood and “out of place”.
He has now launched a Christmas campaign to highlight what it is like to “see the world from a different angle” by creating a network of positive messages across the UK.
Inspired by the festive classic Miracle on 34th Street, Mr Fraser has made 31 banners – one for each day of December – to shine like a beacon of hope for people with autism.
“Hope and believe in people is such a powerful thing,” Mr Fraser, from Stonehaven, said.
“We want to build this giant advent calendar and by the end of December, the autistic community will know that we are accepted, included and represented.
“It’s about empowering autistic people and showing them that there is a place for them in this world – a world that wasn’t designed for us.
“We are different – we think, communicate and learn differently – but in the right environment and with more understanding, we can find our own path and thrive.
“All we really need is to be accepted for who we are and not be made to feel like we have to fit the mould, which unfortunately breaks a lot of autistic people.”
‘Message of hope for autistic people’
The main goal is to put up banners at 31 different locations by the end of the month, with the first one already presented on the walls of Mas Body Gym in Middlesbrough.
Mr Fraser and his partner Jeni Curtis, from Wisconsin, USA, hope their message will reach prominent buildings such as Pittodrie Stadium, Eden Court in Inverness, and Scottish Parliament.
They are now appealing to businesses and organisations from across the UK to join them and put up a banner to spread the word of love and understanding for autism.
Mrs Curtis said this would be a vital step in changing the general perception of autism, which can often be wrong or limited, and in breaking the stigma autistic people face.
The 33-year-old said: “It’s all about bringing autism in the public eye. We want to bring light to all sides of autism so more people can get the same understanding and acceptance that I did.
“Realising that I’m not just a strange alien on this planet that will always be alone, and finding a place where I fit in, has given me a drive to help as many people as possible.
“Any advocate that is publicly speaking for the autistic community is a legend and a superhero in my mind, because that’s something that most of us don’t do.
“We hide away – we are either masking or deeply trying to act like everyone else, covering up all of our quirks. But with this, we can build a new life for autistic people.”
If you would like to put up a banner for autism this December, get in touch with Ross Fraser and Jeni Curtis by e-mailing ross.fraser@mylifeautistic.com or jeni.curtis@mylifeautistic.com.
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