How to raise money? not OT

Post Reply New Topic

Well, given my current state of being unable to speak (though I've lost words my entire life... just never for so long), my mom lent me the money for an iPod Touch so that I can communicate via text to speech. Now, I owe her $200.

I can't work but am not considered disabled by the gov't to get SSI (though I have a hearing next month). I can't even babysit anymore because I'm nonverbal. I wrote a book and have tried selling that, but almost no one wants to buy it (it's about my life and ASD). I set up a donation page at GiveForward, but I haven't raised a penny. I'd like to do a bake sale, but I don't know enough people or where to have one to do that.

Suggestions, please?

Sorry to go a bit OT, but why are you non-verbal?

I don't know. I think I pushed too hard for too long and this is the result. Shutdown? Burnout? As I said, "just autism being autism." I'll ask my doctor when I go next month (she is off until June 7th).

I was just on SouperTrouper's last topic and s/he's using the iPod Touch as a communication device. It has a text to speech feature.

Supernova--losing speech is not actually uncommon on the spectrum. I do, sometimes, when I'm really overwhelmed. It just kind of happens when your brain's using up too many resources and shuts down the extra stuff so you can keep your sanity. At least that's what it is for me. For some of us, it's burnout or just lack of energy, or pushing too hard too long... It's not like losing speech after a stroke; it's not physical brain damage. It's more like losing the ability to walk after having run a marathon... push hard enough and eventually you run out of resources.

I wonder if you could pay your parents off in chores? Like, say, you do the dishes every day and they give you a dollar... that could be $2 a day, and you'd pay it off in about four months. Or just cut out the middleman and write up an agreement to do the dishes for that long in exchange for the iPod.

'Course you have to pick something you don't already do around the house...

Callista, I don't live with my parents. Also, I don't live ANYWHERE near lawns. I live in section 8 housing, an apartment.

I wish I could earn the money by writing and answering questions about autism for parents... that's what I do best!