#OughtTheBox: Autism Fundraiser

Faduma Mohamed is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Beautiful greetings!

My name is Faduma Mohamed, I am a student at the University of Toronto, a spoken word poet, and above all, I am a proud sibling of autism.

WHAT'S #OughtTheBox?

Since October 29th 2015, I have been carrying a big painted box, everywhere that I go, as an ice breaker to start conversations with strangers. We've titled the box and the movement as #OughtTheBox.

When strangers ask me, “what’s in the box?”, I like to reply: “it is not what’s in the box, it’s ABOUT the box".

The box is a prop from the play I wrote titled “Oughtism” developed in Watah Theatre.

I use the box as an autism awareness strategy. If strangers are willing to listen, I gush to complete strangers about my awesome brother, Bilal, who is now 19 years old and lives with autism.

The purpose of the year long challenge was to simply talk to people about autism in hopes to raise awareness and most importantly, attempt to remedy the uneasiness the public has when interacting with autistic people. Along my journey I’ve met parents, caregivers and people who live on the spectrum… people who I wish I met growing up when I was learning about my brother and the mystery he lives with.

WHAT ARE WE RASING MONEY FOR?

To mark the second year anniversary of carrying #OughtTheBox (October 29 2017), we have a humble goal to raise $5000 which will be donated to help racialized, immigrant and/or poor families with the costs of raising a child, adolescent or adult with autism.

WHY DOES THIS MEAN SO MUCH TO ME?

#OughtTheBox is a product of all the years that I turned my back on autism. All the times I was embarrassed. The years I've spent resenting autism. #OughtTheBox is my time to embrace autism. To embrace autism when the mystery flaps’s those hands or obsesses over an object… to embrace autism during the times when it cannot look you in the eye... and hold autism close when those eyes finally do.

I love my brother. Even though we've had a tough relationship growing up (which I know other siblings can relate to). Through the pain, we find room to love. This is my token of love. To my brother, who taught me how to be the kindest version of myself.. at all times.

2016-2017 $500 RECIPIANTS:

Xavier's Family (Toronto)
Jordan's Family (Toronto)
Quincy's Family (Edmonton)
Bilal (Toronto)

MY GRATITUDE:

I cannot express the level of gratitude I have. You are helping me make sure one of my dreams come true. To show my support to my extended family of autism. So that they know we're all in this together.

I love you more than I tell you,

FM.

I Love Autism: Me and My Brother Billy