Island Life by David Slack

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Island Life: A Special Public Address Message

46 Responses

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  • Hayden Wilson,

    ...it should go on tour (at least to Wellington!)

    Since Nov 2006 • 27 posts Report

  • Greg Wood,

    Fingers crossed I'll be in town for the night! Otherwise I'm gonna flog my ticket on trademe for HUNDREDS. All proceeds to Russell, bien sur.

    Now back in Aucktown • Since Dec 2006 • 86 posts Report

  • Kirsten Brethouwer,

    can't make it still will be trying to make my way back from Womad with the tribes, but wouldn't mind if there's another way for me to show my (financial) support.

    Waiheke Island • Since Nov 2006 • 35 posts Report

  • David Slack,

    wouldn't mind if there's another way for me to show my (financial) support.

    Quite a few people have been asking about this. Pead PR will gladly accomodate that - if you email Conor Roberts at Conor@peadpr.co.nz , he'll fill you in.

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report

  • Paul Litterick,

    Good one, Conor. I'll be there.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1000 posts Report

  • steve sutcliffe,

    I feel for Russell, having a child with needs outside the normal spectrum brings all kinds of challenges, and when a school or the system lets your child down and you need to take him away from his peers, we know that is a decision not taken lightly. Here's to Leo..and all the other kids whose needs are not being met.

    Since Mar 2007 • 2 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    count me in for a financial chip in. the least i can do.

    well, actually the least i can do is nothing, but that isn't an option in this instance. my cousin also has something like asperger's, and he's a pretty cool little dude. the more cool dudes in the world, the better.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Phil Mackie,

    And me. I have been a 'free rider' on Public Address for years now. It is (Almost) the least I could do!!

    Lyall Bay • Since Nov 2006 • 4 posts Report

  • Tony Kennedy,

    ...it should go on tour (at least to Wellington!)

    Any suggestions for making it (or something similar) happen? Given the number of PA'ers domiciled in Wellington, a large turnout could be expected.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 225 posts Report

  • Zippy Gonzales,

    I'd like to help where I can. If people are serious about a Wellington gig, I can put out some feelers. I could probably get in touch with some good catering, if not a venue or performers. I'd gladly donate some waitering time and perhaps an auction item too. It's for all the right reasons.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report

  • Sebastian,

    when these things happen, i am always sorry for my anti-ad stance ... delete my entries! i am gonna click through from now on!

    Berlin, Germany • Since Nov 2006 • 12 posts Report

  • Hadyn Green,

    Ala' Sebastian: when things like this happen I always think what about those families who don't have connections into the entertainment community.

    Is there a thought that if this is successful it can be spread out past just the Browns?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report

  • David Slack,

    Hadyn - Conor's message touches briefly on this:

    Once the costs for home schooling Leo have been taken out, Russell will be using the remaining funds to help better serve kids like Leo who are "in" schools right now.

    Russell has some quite exciting ideas about building on this as well, which I daresay he'll have plenty to say about at some stage.

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Russell has some quite exciting ideas about building on this as well, which I daresay he'll have plenty to say about at some stage.

    Or maybe now. I'm pretty humbled by what people are doing for us, but I realised what would really make it work would be extending some of the impact to the community.

    One thing that will come out of it is an Asperger/autistic spectrum website for support and lobbying, and I've already talked to some IT people about developing some sort of practice for introduction to computer programming that would be portable to other kids. The degree to which people have been eager to pitch in on both is amazing.

    I asked this a while ago, but perhaps this is is good time to ask again: I'm still looking for that person who's able to do that initial introduction-to-programming tuition. Via Alice, Python, game mods, whatever. I don't think formal qualifications are as important as the ability to share a love of it with a bright, systematising kid.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    I'm still looking for that person who's able to do that initial introduction-to-programming tuition.

    how about someone with a ZX spectrum and one of those booklets on programming games in BASIC. having the commands written out on the keypads made learning programming pretty easy.

    or, the c21st version of the same.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Riddley Walker,

    great idea. with the amount of respect for russell and with conor involved, it will be a success. i'll be there.

    russell, what exactly do you need re: 'person who's able to do that initial introduction-to-programming tuition? tuition for leo or a programmer for the site?' any more detail would be helpful, could probably find volunteers for either.

    AKL • Since Feb 2007 • 890 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    russell, what exactly do you need re: 'person who's able to do that initial introduction-to-programming tuition? tuition for leo or a programmer for the site?' any more detail would be helpful, could probably find volunteers for either.

    The tuition part. And of course, thanks to what people are doing for us, we can pay. I tried the Student Job Search website, but that basically wants you to sign up like you're a major employer, which didn't seem quite right.

    He took really well to Alice, which introduces kids to object-oriented programming via 3D animation. If anyone had skills with that it would be ideal. He also uses 'Gary's Mod', which opens up the Half Life 2 engine (ironically, all the interesting stuff is in the shooters) and lets the user create stuff. He made us a fireworks display for New Year's Eve.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    I know a few guys who sit at different places on the autism spectrum. They've all benefited from a good education and are now in good jobs. Everyone deserves this opportunity.

    Russell has given us this choice website, and arranged the Great Blends, so I'm more than happy to give something back. <3

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report

  • Deborah,

    I have used the Student Job Search site to find casual babysitters, and firends have used it to find after-school caregivers. It's worth giving it a go.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report

  • Martha Craig,

    I was contacted by the woman who hosts this site a while ago http://www.hiyah.net/

    It is aimed to help young kids to use computers, and also for children with autism. I imagine it is too basic for your son, Russell, but I thought someone might be interested in it.

    Petone • Since Nov 2006 • 23 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    I have used the Student Job Search site to find casual babysitters, and firends have used it to find after-school caregivers. It's worth giving it a go.

    Good call. I just had a useful conversation with one of their people - it was worth leaving a message and waiting for the callback rather than going via the website.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • MikeE,

    Have passed the link onto a friend who has aspergers and is really into their IT stuff. I'd expect that you'd already know her though.

    http://msbehaviour.blogspot.com/index.html

    Washington DC • Since Nov 2006 • 138 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Have passed the link onto a friend who has aspergers and is really into their IT stuff. I'd expect that you'd already know her though.

    Thanks - no, I don't know her but that's a very cool blog. The two most recent posts reiterate the idea of how beneficial it is for people on the spectrum to get their heads around who they are and how they're different.

    Another reader passed on the link to this beautiful clip featuring the amazing Amanda Baggs, a non-verbal autist with a hell of a lot to say:

    It sad but interesting that a number of commenters refuse to believe that the narration is hers. Because, well, someone who looks like that can't possibly have thoughts ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • nic.wise,

    Have passed the link onto a friend who has aspergers and is really into their IT stuff. I'd expect that you'd already know her though.

    http://msbehaviour.blogspot.com/index.html

    Well, I guess - as I kinda know Ms Behaviour and Chelfyn via the Psytrance/dance community - I really have no idea what Aspergers is :) time for a google I think....

    So, assuming there isn't going to be a welli event, can the fine folks at pear create a non-event? Ie can I buy a ticket to an event which doesn't exist, ala a donation? :)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 87 posts Report

  • David Slack,

    can I buy a ticket to an event which doesn't exist, ala a donation?

    Nic, you can post a donation here:

    Hustle for Russell Donation
    Pead PR
    Private Bag 99911, Newmarket, Auckland.


    If you want to make some other arrangement, you could email Conor Roberts - Conor@peadpr.co.nz

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report

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