Highland woman creates bear design to challenge negative attitutes towards autism
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A NAIRN woman has created an autism bear design to challenge negative attitudes towards autism.
Hayley Reid (22), who lives with the disorder, dreamt up the idea to help those like her who had experienced verbal abuse and the sense of helplessness that can accompany a condition affecting 700,000 adults and children in the UK.
Ms Reid is a member of Inspire Highland, an impressive group of young people working to promote awareness and equality for those with additional support needs and disabilities.
“Autism bear represents, for me, a chance to say I have autism and help the world know people with a disability and should not be yelled at, or sworn at, for reasons such as being unable to wear a face mask,” she said.
“The autism bear can make people aware when someone is autistic. It can show that you are not alone and, if you have dark days, autism bear is always there for you.”
Ms Reid decided to speak out about autism as she feels people often do not understand what it is like living with a hidden disability.
She told how she, like many autistic young people, faced hostility and discrimination from within her local community. “Being autistic can be a challenge, but the greater challenge is often people’s attitudes and this can have a devastating effect on young people’s mental health,” she said.
“I want to speak out because not all kids feel they can stand up and it can make people feel suicidal.
“The autism bear says ‘yes I have autism, yes I have a disability, but I can hold my head high.’”
Ms Reid’s autism bear has been made into badges that will be available in some of Nairn’s shops for a small donation.
Money raised will be used to support the work of the Inspire Highland group.
