Kim Clairy Autism Awareness fund
Donation protected
Raising Money to Spread Awareness of Autism and Eating Disorders.
Hi! I'm Kim. I am an adult with autism and an eating disorder survivor. I also have my master’s degree in occupational therapy. I use my expertise and experiences to help the world better understand these two very misunderstood conditions.
The desire to share my story came about in 2015 when a hospital employee wanted to refer me to hospice because of the severity of my eating disorder mixed with my autism symptoms. Refusing to accept this as my prognosis I wrote in my journal:
Permanent possibilities
Peeping through
You say it is only a dream
Well, dreams can come true
Permanent possibilities
peeping through.
Moving forward to 2018...my possibilities have become realities! In a little over two years I’ve shared my story with over 800 people. I now have an opportunity to more than double this number; however, to do this I need your help.
Let me explain...
I have an opportunity to share my expertise and story on a large scale as I have been asked to speak about eating disorders and autism spectrum disorders at several large conferences this year.
Here is where I need your help...
I do not get paid for speaking at these conferences. On the contrary, I MUST PAY to speak and raise awareness! The estimated out of pocket cost for these conferences is $4,000. My costs include admission into the conference as well as the expenses for hotel, air fare, food, and transportation for both my support person (William) and myself.
Don’t let money stop us from reaching thousands. Please help me spread awareness. If 200 people donated a mere $20 [or 4 cups of Starbucks coffees] I’d be able to reach over 2000!
About two of the conferences I will be speaking at...
The World Autism Congress:
Every four years The World Autism Organization (WAO) hosts an international congress that serves to provide a vital catalyst for knowledge enhancement about autism spectrum disorders across the globe. November of 2018 will be the first time in WAO history that the World Autism Congress will be held in the United States (Houston, Texas). This year alone they expect over 1500 attendees.
I have been asked to conduct two talks for this conference. In one talk my husband and I will detail a personal account of our life together and how we overcome relational and personal barriers associated with my autism symptoms. In my second talk I will bring together research-based knowledge, expertise, and my personal experiences of having anorexia nervosa and ASD to educate about autism and coexisting psychiatric conditions.
The 28 Annual Renfrew Center Foundation Conference for Professionals: In November 2018the Renfrew Center will hold its annual conference in Philadelphia. The Renfrew conference is recognized as one of the premier eating disorder conferences in the country and brings in several hundred professionals to their 3-day convention. I will be co-presenting with Rachel Marlow-Lewis a certified advanced practitioner of sensorimotor psychotherapy. We will be speaking on autism, sensory processing dysfunctions, and eating disorders. Again, I will be sharing my personal experiences and professional expertise on both conditions.
In addition to these two, there are several other conferences on my radar for 2018.
A little more about my backstory and the birth of sharing my story.
The severity of my eating disorder mixed with my autism and sensory processing dysfunctions forced me to quit working by the time I reached my late 20s. Prior to that, I worked as an occupational therapist but only sporadically, as I required frequent inpatient and partial hospitalizations. Once I stopped working I was able to solely focus on my health. Now, in recovery, I dedicate my time and energy to educating parents, healthcare professionals, educators, and the community about autism and eating disorders.
My initial goal was to only reach eating disorder providers. I wanted to help them understand those who also struggled with autism so others wouldn’t have to endure what I did in treatment settings. However, that goal soon expanded to reach everyone possible. With the help of my parents and husband I have now been speaking publicly for 2.5 yrs. I have given over 30 talks and have reached over 800 people. Most of my efforts are unpaid as I do not want money to be a deterrence for helping people understand.
Please support my efforts in educating the world about autism spectrum and eating disorders. Don’t let money stop us from reaching thousands. Please help me spread awareness.
Remember, any amount is helpful; with the support of hundreds we reach thousands. If 200 people donated a mere $20 [or 4 cups of Starbucks coffee] We’d reach over 2000! If you don’t want to donate to the go fund me page but would like to be a sponsor please email me at [email redacted]
Help me help the world understand autism and eating disorders. Thank you
Hi! I'm Kim. I am an adult with autism and an eating disorder survivor. I also have my master’s degree in occupational therapy. I use my expertise and experiences to help the world better understand these two very misunderstood conditions.
The desire to share my story came about in 2015 when a hospital employee wanted to refer me to hospice because of the severity of my eating disorder mixed with my autism symptoms. Refusing to accept this as my prognosis I wrote in my journal:
Permanent possibilities
Peeping through
You say it is only a dream
Well, dreams can come true
Permanent possibilities
peeping through.
Moving forward to 2018...my possibilities have become realities! In a little over two years I’ve shared my story with over 800 people. I now have an opportunity to more than double this number; however, to do this I need your help.
Let me explain...
I have an opportunity to share my expertise and story on a large scale as I have been asked to speak about eating disorders and autism spectrum disorders at several large conferences this year.
Here is where I need your help...
I do not get paid for speaking at these conferences. On the contrary, I MUST PAY to speak and raise awareness! The estimated out of pocket cost for these conferences is $4,000. My costs include admission into the conference as well as the expenses for hotel, air fare, food, and transportation for both my support person (William) and myself.
Don’t let money stop us from reaching thousands. Please help me spread awareness. If 200 people donated a mere $20 [or 4 cups of Starbucks coffees] I’d be able to reach over 2000!
About two of the conferences I will be speaking at...
The World Autism Congress:
Every four years The World Autism Organization (WAO) hosts an international congress that serves to provide a vital catalyst for knowledge enhancement about autism spectrum disorders across the globe. November of 2018 will be the first time in WAO history that the World Autism Congress will be held in the United States (Houston, Texas). This year alone they expect over 1500 attendees.
I have been asked to conduct two talks for this conference. In one talk my husband and I will detail a personal account of our life together and how we overcome relational and personal barriers associated with my autism symptoms. In my second talk I will bring together research-based knowledge, expertise, and my personal experiences of having anorexia nervosa and ASD to educate about autism and coexisting psychiatric conditions.
The 28 Annual Renfrew Center Foundation Conference for Professionals: In November 2018the Renfrew Center will hold its annual conference in Philadelphia. The Renfrew conference is recognized as one of the premier eating disorder conferences in the country and brings in several hundred professionals to their 3-day convention. I will be co-presenting with Rachel Marlow-Lewis a certified advanced practitioner of sensorimotor psychotherapy. We will be speaking on autism, sensory processing dysfunctions, and eating disorders. Again, I will be sharing my personal experiences and professional expertise on both conditions.
In addition to these two, there are several other conferences on my radar for 2018.
A little more about my backstory and the birth of sharing my story.
The severity of my eating disorder mixed with my autism and sensory processing dysfunctions forced me to quit working by the time I reached my late 20s. Prior to that, I worked as an occupational therapist but only sporadically, as I required frequent inpatient and partial hospitalizations. Once I stopped working I was able to solely focus on my health. Now, in recovery, I dedicate my time and energy to educating parents, healthcare professionals, educators, and the community about autism and eating disorders.
My initial goal was to only reach eating disorder providers. I wanted to help them understand those who also struggled with autism so others wouldn’t have to endure what I did in treatment settings. However, that goal soon expanded to reach everyone possible. With the help of my parents and husband I have now been speaking publicly for 2.5 yrs. I have given over 30 talks and have reached over 800 people. Most of my efforts are unpaid as I do not want money to be a deterrence for helping people understand.
Please support my efforts in educating the world about autism spectrum and eating disorders. Don’t let money stop us from reaching thousands. Please help me spread awareness.
Remember, any amount is helpful; with the support of hundreds we reach thousands. If 200 people donated a mere $20 [or 4 cups of Starbucks coffee] We’d reach over 2000! If you don’t want to donate to the go fund me page but would like to be a sponsor please email me at [email redacted]
Help me help the world understand autism and eating disorders. Thank you
Organizer
William Miller
Organizer
Clearwater, FL