Boxes in the Trees, Publication Launch (!) and a word from my mum
Hello my friends! It is May which means it is the month of my birthday amongst other things, but that one is particularly important I’m sure you will all agree. I hope this finds you full of beans with lots of playful times on the horizon. I have a few things to share today including the launch event for my upcoming publication (which I’m very excited about).
Tangles (and boxes) in the Trees
Over the Easter Holidays I had the absolute pleasure on working on a three day event called “Tangles in the Trees” with a wonderful outdoor learning and play organisation called We Are Wonder who are based here in Glasgow. The event was aimed at autistic children and young people and their friends and families. Tasked with making things to add to the outdoor space I came up with the very simple idea of creating a sort of ‘den for the head/observation spot’ by hanging a cardboard box from the trees with windows cut out to enable a child to step underneath and wear it like a suspended helmet. I added some colored cellophane ‘windows’ and a string curtain over the larger window. I was thinking about ways to provide that sense of being out of the space-whilst still in it in your own wee bubble of protection. I was also thinking about creating ways to interact with someone which are inherently non-typical and playful. The first young person that came into the space ducked into the box within moments of arriving. No explanation needed. Finding these delightfully simple ideas that make that immediate sense to children and young people is one of my favourite kinds of creative challenges. I would highly recommend giving this one a go!
The Joys and Shapes of Autistic Play- Launch Event!
I shared a bit about my upcoming publication in my last newsletter and I’m happy to share that I have a launch date and a wee celebratory online event planned. I will chat a little about the work and invite questions and thoughts from participants and then facillitate a “Stim show and tell” where participants will be invited to share a stim that they enjoy. I wanted to keep it simple, playful and autistic-affirming!
You can find the event and grab a ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-joys-and-shapes-of-autistic-play-launch-celebration-tickets-1347100326339?aff=oddtdtcreator Please share with anyone you think might be interested!
The event ticket options include purchasing a physical copy of the publication. After the event these will also be available on my website and there will be a digital version available to access for free (with the invitation to donate if you can).
A Note from Your Friendly Neighborhood Trans Person (and his mum)
If you live in the UK or are part of queer or trans communities then you will likely be aware of the recent Supreme Court Judgement and the waves of Transphobia, ignorance and fear-mongering that has happened since. I thought a lot about what to say here as myself and my loved ones navigate this incredibly scary time. I think perhaps what feels most important to me in this context are two things.
Firstly to share the Good Law Project campaign https://goodlawproject.org/campaign/trans-fighting-fund/ they are doing fantastic work in fighting for trans rights and providing well written and informed information on what is happening. Please do check them out.
Secondly, for you to know, if you’ve ever benefited from my work, if anything I’ve done has bought you enjoyment or useful insight, if I’ve ever worked with your children and so on… Then that all came from a Trans person. Trans people are a beautiful and essential part of the world we all live in. In this time it feels important for me to be explicit and clear about that.
I’d like to finish with sharing something my mum wrote on her facebook recently (with her permission) I’m so lucky and grateful to have her as my mum:
"When I first became a mother I experienced a love like no other, a love that I would die for, one so overwhelming I felt every bit of my children’s pain, you want to wrap them up & keep them safe. That love & those feelings don’t change as they grow int adults, you learn to try & protect from a distance, respecting their independence whilst being on hand to catch them if they need you too. I am incredibly proud of all my children, of the adults that they have grown into, but I find my self overwhelmed with fear for the well being & safety of my oldest son since the recent Supreme Court ruling, the jubilation by some for the ruling & the hate for the trans community displayed by others. Today I ask that everyone who has experience the love & fear that comes with it that i have described above to hold on to that & remember that every member of the trans community is someone’s child & then to to think about how you would feel if a loved one of yours was living in constant fear,then to show compassion & support to those individuals as humans that they need…”
Thank you for reading and continuing to support me and my work! A great way to support my work is to share this newsletter with someone you think might enjoy it. Anything you can do to spread the word is very much appreciated.
Stay playful! Eat some fruit! Support trans folks and Free Palestine!