Thursday 25 July 2013

Social Entrepreneurship: Creating One Million Jobs

When Thorkil Sonne learned that his 2.5-years-old son had infantile autism, he started reading about the disorder and soon realized that his son would face a life of misunderstandings, isolation and scarce job opportunities. Sonne then founded "Specialisterne" with the aim of giving people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and similar challenges equal job opportunities - of creating one million jobs. People with ASD (ranging from Asperger to Autism) often have a passion for detail and an outstanding memory.

Stephen Wiltshire was diagnosed as autistic when he was three. At the age of nine he learned to speak, at seven he had already been known for his drawings. His sketches of big cities from memory after having seen them just once (from the helicopter) became legendary for their incredible accuracy.

 Tokyo (photo via)

 

New York City (photo via)

 

6 comments:

  1. Stellar, brains can be of a beautifully designed impenetrability.

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    1. Indeed, it is fascinating what is possible when brains are "wired differently".

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  2. Stephen became a true superstar in his class, didn't he? Or rather, isn't he a true superhero of sorts? See that he commands a real superpower.

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    1. Superpower - that's a wonderful way of putting it. I do agree with you.

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  3. I'm with Ken, he commands a real superpower. Sweet blog you have, Laura!

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    1. Dear Karen, thanks a lot for your kind feeback!

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