April 2nd was World Autism Awareness Day and as a teacher for some children with autism, I wanted to recognize the day. I also find it important to spread the word about it. Since I'm neither rich nor famous, I decided to go about that through something I know most about: books.
I went ahead and asked as many book lovers as possible online to spread awareness by taking photos of their books with blue covers. Then, I asked them to post them up on Instagram and use the hashtags: #WorldAutismAwarenessDay and #bluebooks.
I went ahead and asked as many book lovers as possible online to spread awareness by taking photos of their books with blue covers. Then, I asked them to post them up on Instagram and use the hashtags: #WorldAutismAwarenessDay and #bluebooks.
I only started messaging people the night before, and could not have imagined that it was going to be so successful. I received an overwhelming response and over 400 participated. The hashtag #bluebooks is insane, and its participants are still increasing by the minute, because that is the power of social media after all.
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| just some from the hundreds of participants yesterday for #bluebooks |
In the grand scheme of things, posting about books is such a small gesture. Doing this alone can not make a difference. However, I believe it is an effort to get people to pay attention. To listen. By seeing that sea of blue, they will wonder about it first. Then, they will ask questions. This effort easily spreads awareness, encourage conversations, and push people to start educating themselves more. These things will shed a much-needed clearer light on the disorder that is heavily misunderstood. My hope is that someday, we will all be more educated about it and compassionate, and that the misconceptions about people with autism are erased.
Having said that, I had the most inspiring day. I have been told so many stories related to autism yesterday from people who have it, or who know family members/friends/colleagues who have it. There were also a few who asked for more information as they weren't as aware of it. It was eye-opening.
Because it is Autism Awareness month, I would love #bluebooks to keep going. If you have instagram at all, please join us as it's not too late to post your photos. Tag me @jillmray so I can easily find you and follow me because giveaways will be hosted later on.
Because it is Autism Awareness month, I would love #bluebooks to keep going. If you have instagram at all, please join us as it's not too late to post your photos. Tag me @jillmray so I can easily find you and follow me because giveaways will be hosted later on.
Such a wonderful cause - thank you for spreading awareness about it. I don't personally know anyone with Autism, but I know how important it is to understand and support it. I admire your efforts and love that you used books to spread the word. So fantastic how many posts and participation there was! I loved seeing all of them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for participating too, Brandie. It was so much fun seeing that sea of blue books!! I think what's important about knowing about autism, is that as a society we can learn to be more empathetic and understanding about the disorder and those affected. Otherwise, if we remain ignorant or uneducated, we have all these random misconceptions about it.
DeleteWhat a creative way to support a worthy cause! I had so much fun pulling out all my blue books and figuring out how to photograph them, too. And how cool that the response has been so huge and so immediate!
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty fun pulling all the blue books!! I completely forgot my Harry Potter copy though, which was a fail haha. And yes the response was insaaaane. I didn't expect it at all. I only organized it the night before.
DeleteWhat a great idea. i will look for it again next year. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great effort!! I must have totally missed this one while I was decluttering my house. I agree with you - the books may or may not change the world but that is beside the point. The important thing is getting people to think about it, ask the right questions, and hopefully donate to the research and these photos will definitely do that. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteI started messaging people the night before, so it wasn't very well-planned from my part! But hopefully next year I'll get even more people involved. Thank you for the kind words.
DeleteThis is such a brilliant idea and I really wish that I got home in time to post on it that night. I love that you were driving others to post blue covers, just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt's okay Melissa, next year :) It was pretty awesome, I didn't expect the turn out at all.
DeleteWhat a great idea! I am glad so many people have joined in. It seems like in the past year or so more and more books are coming out featuring characters with autism, which is great to see. I am glad to see that so many people are becoming aware of Autism.
ReplyDeleteYes, more awareness is important!
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