• NOT_RICK@lemmy.world
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    15 hours ago

    As someone who formerly worked with and still volunteers with people with autism, this story was really touching. I know exactly what Rob and Dianne mean when they say Ronnie enriched their lives.

    One of the biggest issues people with autism suffer with is loneliness and isolation; I encourage anyone looking for something meaningful to do with their time to look into how to become a friend to someone who is differently abled.

    • BanMe@lemmy.world
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      11 hours ago

      I run a social club for queer men in the South, we have a lot of folks who are neurodivergent or have issues with socialization. It’s really incredibly rewarding to get a note from a member saying, “I haven’t ever had a friend until I joined, thank you.” Now I want to spread this everywhere, not just queer men, but a social club for everything - like funny hats? Social club for it. Like to make jam? Social club! Everyone join a club.

      Back in the 1800s, 1900s, people were absolutely involved in these clubs - oddfellows, order of the moose, etc. But now we’ve given all that up for pretend connection on social media, which makes everyone lonelier. Fuck.