Connecting and Learning

When people contact me to discuss my books I end up learning more from them than they learn from me. Let’s take Christine Jenkins as an example. Christine is a contributor to Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism, the co-founder of AsperDames and a specialist in autism and aging. You’ll read more about her work in Spectrum Women Magazine.

Last month, Christine spoke at the National Autistic Society’s Women and Girls Conference in Edinburgh. You’ll find her insightful and data-rich presentation “Ageing (Dis)Gracefully” here. Christine is a pioneer, using her brains and energy to create an autistic safe space that allows spectrum elder sisters to unmask safely, and help others do likewise. Truly ground-breaking. I've included a photo of her presenting below. 

Another example is C. Brian Smith. He interviewed me for his article “Inside the New Movement of Support Groups for Retired Men” for Mel Magazine.

Brian unearthed some excellent examples and introduced me to PIPs. I really like Mel magazine’s tagline: “Because there’s no playbook for how to be a guy”.  

And then there’s Ben Ziegler who’s always doing important work. Currently that includes facilitating a support group for male caregivers. The Victoria-based group lets men who are caring for an adult (whether family member or friend) to connect with peers, share what's on their mind, and learn from others. It’s a safe place for the men to have open conversations on matters that are important to them. Contact info for Ben and the Family Caregivers of BC can be found here: Male Family & Friend Caregiver Support Group.