Autistic Balloon Artist Creates Amazing Sculptures for Frontline Workers During COVID-19
Editor's Note
If you’re looking for creative inspiration, check out the Daily Inspirations group on The Mighty.
What to know: Eddie Lin, a 22-year-old with autism, is creating amazing balloon sculptures to honor essential workers. He goes by the name Ausome Balloon Creator and has managed to turn his special interest into a business. Originally started for weekend special events, Lin is now getting more and more requests to make thank you balloon sculptures for frontline people such as police officers, mail carriers and health care workers.
The frontlines: Although Lin has found success in running a business, unemployment is a huge issue in the autistic community.
- One study suggested that about 35% of autistic people go to college and among those with diplomas, only 15% are employed
- Autistic unemployment rates are 85%, where the general population is 4.5%, though COVID-19 will likely change those numbers
- Autistic unemployment rates are the highest out of any disability, with the general disability unemployment rate at about 10.5%
A Mighty Voice: Our contributor, Molly D. Dann-Pipinias, had this to share: “To be able to turn your special interest into a livelihood is something a lot of autistic people dream of. It can be very difficult to be autistic in the workforce. Not only is Eddie getting to run his own business, he is using his talents to bring happiness to the heroes of the COVID crisis.” You can submit your first person story, too.
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From Our Community:
Add your voice: Join The Pencil Case group on The Mighty app by downloading our app or comment below.
Other things to know: For more resources that might be helpful if you’re looking for a job or to start a business, check out these articles:
- How I Succeed at Work as a Person With Autism
- 11 Businesses Owned and Run By People on the Autism Spectrum
- Work in Progress: An Inside Look at Autism’s Job Boom
Where to learn more: To learn more about Lin’s work you can follow him on Facebook here and Instagram here.
Header image via Ausome Balloon Creator/Facebook
I am a self advocate who is passionate about speaking and writing on what it is like to be autistic. I live in Cleveland, OH with my beautiful commune. Come check out my website, I'm Not Drunk, I'm Autistic at https://theautisticpinup.com/
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