Thanks Iceflower, Polyesco & Eya
Summary of article in Billed Bladet #12, 2017.
By our man in Greenland, Henrik Salling.
The first chapter of the Autism Association has just opened in Greenland and as patron for the association our Marie went there to attend the opening of an autism conference.
After having had a look around at local places for autists to meet Mary ended her trip in the capital of Nuuk (population 16.000) where unusual amounts of snow had fallen, surprising even the locals.
The conference were to be opened at the local Hans Egede Hotel, where Marie gave the opening speech.
Mary told our reporter: "There is one per cent of population in Greenland who have autism, so the challenge is just as big as in Denmark. (*)
I'd like to help spreading the knowledge of autism in Greenland, because there is still lots of important information and knowledge about autism missing.
The large distances, the extreme climate and the difficulties regarding transport limits the opportunities of the families. It's extremely important to strengthen education within the field, so that Greenland can have more experts on autism, who will be able to support the families.
There are many affected Greenlanders who still don't know the possibilities and solutions that exist, and who doesn't know how they can structure an every-day life with a child with autism".
Autism is still very much a taboo in Greenland.
After giving the speech Marie met some of the families with autists. Including eight year old Patrick, who had looked very much forward to meeting Marie and getting a high five a picture of her.
But right after the opening Marie had to retire to her hotel-room. She was ill and as such also had to cancel an event. An event where Patrick was supposed to have met her, instead it happened at the opening.
At the opening Marie wore a hand-carved brooch, depicting two hands shaking hands, the logo of the Autism Association.
See here:
https://app.box.com/s/pxbs7fiv9g7dvmkycymb8c5baf1yka9i
https://app.box.com/s/qz2bm7uhmy3djpcxor57qxn7v4d90ngh
(*) Does anyone have an idea what the average percentage of a given population who have autism is?