A blue light that means we are “all unique, all different”. It is that of the Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia which, for the World Day of Awareness on Autism of April 2nd, He returns to rekindle to bring attention to an increasingly widespread neurosviluppuct disorder, into a symbolic gesture that this year also turns into a concrete action, in the direction of a cultural change towards real inclusion, the blue light in fact marks the start of the fundraising campaign for the feast of Santa Rita of 22 May, whose heart is Pieninoi, the first innovative residential autonomy project, through cohousing, for people with disorders of autistic spectrum in Umbria, in Bastia Umbra (PG).
Promoter of the campaign “A gesture of faith, a gift of grace” is the Santa Rita Foundation from Cascia Filantropic Ente Etsthe organization created in 2012 by the monastery to make his works of solidarity more structured. The goal is to collect 250 thousand euros For the most fragile, in particular to offer home, future and inclusion, as an exclusive partnerto 12 young people with medium-high operation autism from the Angsa Umbria Ets Foundation (National Association of Autistic Parents), supported by qualified personnel, with the related benefits for families and the entire territory.
The initiative is an example of “During and after us”, The model of social intervention to prepare children with disabilities for gradual emancipation from the family in view of the “after us”, that is, that moment when parents will no longer be able to take care of them.
Who will contribute to the project with a minimum donation of 16 euros will receive The ring of the feast of Santa Ritaengraved with his symbol rose and the phrase “in the garden of Santa Rita you are the favorite squad”. It is already possible to have more information on the project and support it at the link festandadisantarita.org, Page where on April 2, the Foundation will officially launch the complete fundraising campaign with all the information, including details on the ring.
An innovative project to fill an assistance void – According to the data of Angsa Umbria, Autism involves 1 child globally every 60 born, But the public and private care responses, in Italy, focus on minors, neglecting adults, which instead constitute the majority of those who coexist with this disorder. After the age of 18 these people “disappear” from the system, So many end up in psychiatric or RSA institutes, losing health and acquired skills.
The foundation project of the Foundation therefore brings to fill an assistance void. Especially since the structure identified, as Angsa Umbria points out, offers an innovative solution through the Cohousing, With a pilot model that guarantees independence and personalized spaces, allowing life in community and professional support at the same time. In addition, the villa with garden which has been chosen is located in a quiet context but close to the services, allowing young people who will live in it “staying in the world” In a designed space “Together with people with autism”, such as Elements of home automation, with the advice of the Polytechnic of Turin.
“Young adults with autism want independence and happiness, like any other young man” he says Mother Maria Grazia CossuBadessa del Monastero and president of the Santa Rita da Cascia Foundation. «We want to guarantee them these rights, not because they are fragile but as human beings. People with intellectual disabilities face both socio-cultural barriers, rooted in prejudices and concrete. With our aforementioned project we intend to offer economic support that you start a cultural change for real inclusion, recognizing their diversity as a uniqueness made not only of limits but also of potential to be enhanced. Thus we carry on our mission of impact on the community, at the service of charity and the common good, making us sparse of the rhythian legacy ».
The Foundation and commitment for intellectual disability – According to his mission to help change his gaze on intellectual disability, the Santa Rita da Cascia Foundation has already supported important projects on the topic, for a total of 265 thousand euros a support of over 110 people. Starting from Angsa Umbria herself, allocating 30 thousand euros In three years at Centro Up of Santa Maria degli Angeli (Assisi), socio-educational structure for 30 minorsand donating 20 thousand euros to “La seally” of Spello, daytime therapy center for 18 young adults.
Furthermore, 45 thousand eurosin 3 years, have been intended for the social cooperative My brother is the only son of Rome, To support the work autonomies of 5 boys and autistic adultsengaged in the work of care of the earth, farmhouse and animals. For inclusion through sport, they have finally been destined 170 thousand euros, For 60 between children, teenagers and young adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, to two realities of excellence: the Lakota di Ammonite village (Ravenna), where hippotherapy becomes integrated riding e the Academy of the Remo of Naples, where the rowing turns into a therapy and a sport practiced at a competitive level.
