Help for Handicap

Dan & Bayo - I have two sons that are autistic. My wife co-chairs a an organization that helps families with members with autism. I'm the president of the local IPMS club, and we have used the IPMS "first model" guide as a basis for helping kids with autism. It has even worked over to adults with the same effects.

 If any of you can offer any advice for us, please let me know through email. drew@ipmsfraservalley.ca

 

I'm also handicapped but the biggest handicap I have is not being mobile enough to actually go look at some things I want to model so using the computer and belonging to forums such as this is a real advantage for people like me. I just want to say thanks to those who have helped me so far and thanks in advance to those who will answer questiond in the future. Everyone benefits from shared knowlege.

Okay, so you're interested in establishing a team effort sort of modeling? The idea sounds intriguing, although unless you are fairly close to other modelers, transportation and shipping can be a problem.

One thing to consider is whether there is a local IPMS club. If there is, I'm sure members there would be interested in helping, and most likely being helped by you. Everyone can bring something to the table, and everyone can learn from everyone else.

If there isn't a local club, maybe we can help you start one that encourages and aids handicap people to partake in hobbies in general. That way you may get more interest, and a few converts Another thing that just occurred to me is to see if you can't get some volunteer kids involved. Boy scouts, or a church group, or other groups of kids might be interested in learning from you, and in return, and as a way to learn, they could help you, or others, with the more demanding aspects of the hobby.

Let us know what you think, and if you have or want more ideas, I'm here for ya. I had never really considered this problem, but I think you have a great idea.

Hi Alex

I wish I knew what to do; that's why I need suggestions. The first thing to do is get a feel for how many handicap people are involved with this hobby. What do they need and can they offer something. Maybe a person has a knack for painting but he can't get to a hobby shop; another person can't paint worth a dam, but can drive well.

This only scratches the surface. There are so many different handicaps and so many different ways they affect us.

Dan

Hi Dan,

Is there anything in particular you'd like to do? What type of help would you like to start? I would be interested in lending a hand, and I'm sure some other forum members would be as well, but we don't really know what you want just yet. So, let us know, and we'll be there.