'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism

[Visionary7903]

Yesterday’s post was on the Ride-a-Wave Foundation, a California-based organisation that helps kids with special needs (including those with Autism Spectrum Disorders) build confidence and self-esteem through safe, fun, adventure activities such as Kayaking.

Sailing is another water-based adventure activity that may be useful for individuals on the Autism Spectrum. Beirut, Lebanon-born George Saidah is the man behind the Heart of Sailing Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to introduce special-needs children to sailing…

…Saidah, now founder and executive director of Heart of Sailing, is at a loss to articulate what it is about sailing and special-needs children that go so well together. Maybe, he speculates, it is the combined feelings of freedom, wind, calm and performing tasks as a team.
“I cannot put it in words,” he says. “But if you see the kids’ faces when they take the wheel, for example. Their faces light up. That is an experience I cannot describe. That by itself is worth a million dollars.”
…[Michelle’s] 10-year-old autistic son, Andrew, also went on a Daysail. “He has his certificate framed and hanging in his room along with his hat and medal,” [she says]. “Andrew remembers every child’s name that he met that day. It was a great social event for him.”…

Here is a link to a video with more on this great program: Heart of Sailing Maiden Voyage in Indiana - YouTube

(source: http://www.heartofsailing.org/Info/Media%20coverage/dad.pdf)