World Autism Month 2022
During the first week of World Autism Month, The Marigold Foundation, is joining the rest of the International Autism community to mark World Autism Month by symbolically lighting up blue one of Malta’s most important modernist landmarks in the Capital City of Valletta, The Tritons’ Fountain.
This year’s “lighting up” event has an even deeper meaning since apart from raising awareness on Autism in Malta, it is also expressing solidarity for the additional challenges that families on the spectrum fleeing from Ukraine are going through. Joining Autism Europe, The Marigold Foundation in collaboration with the Association of Parents of children with Autism, is actively working to raise awareness about the plight of these children, young adults and whole families going through such a trauma.
Addressing the event, Chair of The Marigold Foundation, Global Ambassador of Autism Speaks, (the world’s largest autism advocacy organisation) and Honorary Chairperson of APA, Michelle Muscat said that the Maltese Autism community stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and would like to extend support to the Ukrainian autism community. For a lot of people on the spectrum, having to stay within confined spaces for prolonged periods, or changing homes and familiar spaces together with strong sounds and noises can be a bigger challenge than for most other people. These challenges lead to additional anxiety and stress for families where autism is part of daily life.
Michelle Muscat said that on the local level and European level it is now high time that persons on the spectrum are looked at holistically so that they will embark on ‘A Happy Journey Through Life’ where services needed are available for every stage in life ensuring fulfilling lives.
Addressing this symbolic occasion was a special guest, Dr. Sophie Janois who’s visiting Malta from Paris. Dr. Sophie Janois, a lawyer and an advocate for the french autism community, lauded the work being carried out by The Marigold Foundation and by APA and emphasised the need to advocate for equal opportunities both during school years and later, on work places.
The event was also addressed by Ms Alishia Xuereb Jones, from APA, who thanked The Marigold Foundation for their support and their work of advocacy to the cause.
At the end of the event, Master Beppe Caruana, a 10 year old boy on the autism spectrum and author of children’s books aimed to raise awareness of autism amongst school children, presented his second book ‘Il-Hbieb ta’ Guzi’ to Mrs Michelle Muscat, Chair of The Marigold Foundation.
If you would like to donate to help spread more awareness on autism and help more families who have members on the spectrum you can do so by kindly
Calling +356 5170 2052 to donate €15
Calling +356 5180 2053 to donate €25
Sending an SMS to +356 5061 9238 to donate €11.65
OR BOV mobile pay, +356 9991 2373 to donate any amount
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Xahar Dinji tal-Awtiżmu
Matul l-ewwel ġimgħa tax-Xahar Dinji tal-Awtiżmu, Il-Fondazzjoni Marigold, qed tingħaqad mal-bqija tal-komunità Internazzjonali tal-Awtiżmu biex tfakkar ix-Xahar Dinji tal-Awtiżmu billi xeghlet b’mod simboliku l-blu waħda mill-aktar monumenti modernisti importanti ta’ Malta fil-Belt Kapitali tal-Belt Valletta, Il-Funtana tat-Tritoni.
L-avveniment “lighting up” ta’ din is-sena għandu tifsira saħansitra aktar profonda peress li minbarra li qed tqajjem kuxjenza dwar l-Awtiżmu f’Malta, qed tesprimi wkoll solidarjetà għall-isfidi addizzjonali li għaddejjin minnhom il-familji fuq l-ispettru li qed jaħarbu mill-Ukrajna. Waqt li tingħaqad ma’ Autism Europe, The Marigold Foundation b’kollaborazzjoni mal-Assoċjazzjoni tal-Ġenituri ta’ tfal bl-Awtiżmu, qed taħdem b’mod attiv biex titqajjem kuxjenza dwar il-qagħda mwiegħra ta’ dawn it-tfal, żgħażagħ u familji sħaħ għaddejjin minn trawma bħal din. Għal ħafna nies fuq l-ispettru, li jkollhom jibqgħu fi spazji ristretti għal perjodi twal, jew li jbiddlu djar u spazji familjari flimkien ma’ ħsejjes u ħsejjes qawwija jista’ jkun sfida akbar milli għal ħafna nies oħra. Dawn l-isfidi jwasslu għal ansjetà u stress addizzjonali għall-familji fejn l-awtiżmu huwa parti mill-ħajja ta’ kuljum.
Waqt li indirizzat l-avveniment, Chairperson tal-Fondazzjoni Marigold, Chaiperson Onorarju tal- Assocjazzjoni tal-Genituri tat-tfal bl-awtizmu u Global Ambassador ta’ Autism Speaks, (l-akbar organizzazzjoni tad-dinja favur l-awtiżmu) Michelle Muscat qalet li l-komunità Maltija tal-Awtiżmu hija solidali mal-poplu Ukren u tixtieq testendi l-appoġġ lill-komunità tal-awtiżmu tal-Ukrajna. Muscat sahqet fuq l-importanza li persuna bl-awtizmu jkollha sostenn matul il-hajja kollha taghha mhux biss fiz-zghozija. Dan imur mat-tema ‘A Happy Journey Through Life’ mnedija minn Autism Europe, fejn qed inharsu lejn il-persuna b’lenti holistika u fejn allura huwa importanti li s-servizzi li jinghataw ikunu estizi ghal matul hajjithom kollha.
Indirizzat ukoll din l-okkażjoni simbolika Dr Sophie Janois li qed iżżur Malta minn Pariġi. Dr. Sophie Janois avukata u difensur tal-komunità Franċiża tal-awtiżmu, faħħret ix-xogħol li qed isir minn The Marigold Foundation u mill-APA u enfasizzat il-ħtieġa li ssir difiża għal opportunitajiet indaqs kemm matul is-snin skolastiċi kif ukoll wara, fuq il-postijiet tax-xogħol.
L-attività kienet indirizzata wkoll mis-Sinjura Alishia Xuereb Jones, mill-APA, li rringrazzjat lil The Marigold Foundation għall-appoġġ tagħhom u l-ħidma tagħhom ta’ favur il-kawża.
Fi tmiem l-attività, Beppe Caruana, tifel ta’ 10 snin fuq l-ispettru tal-awtiżmu u awtur ta’ kotba għat-tfal, bil-għan li jqajmu kuxjenza dwar l-awtiżmu fost it-tfal tal-iskola, ippreżenta l-aħħar ktieb tiegħu ‘Il-Ħbieb ta’ Ġuzi’ lis-Sinjura Michelle Muscat, Chairperson tal-Fondazzjoni Marigold.
Jekk tixtieq tagħti donazzjoni biex tgħin it-tixrid ta’ aktar għarfien dwar l-awtiżmu u tgħin aktar familji li għandhom membri fuq l-ispettru tista’ tagħmel dan billi ġentilment
Ċempel +356 5170 2052 biex tagħti donazzjoni ta’ €15
Ċempel +356 5180 2053 biex tagħti donazzjoni ta’ €25
Tibgħat SMS fuq +356 5061 9238 biex tagħti donazzjoni ta’ €11.65
JEW BOV mobile pay, +356 9991 2373 biex tagħti xi ammont ieħor.
