Five young people go on a sailing trip together — nothing unusual in that. What makes this adventure special is that all the participants have autism. It’s a shared experience aimed at boosting self-esteem in everyday life. This is a challenging step for all five autistic sailors.
Everything is different here, no day like the last. The ship is cramped. Social contact is unavoidable. Luckily, co-skipper Corinna is an experienced support worker. It’s not long before the sparks begin to fly — but when all’s said and done, this is the high point of the year for them all. Because all the sailors have autism, there’s no need to for them to change themselves, or mask any problems they might encounter in this unfamiliar environment. Back home on dry land, it’s often a very different story.
The report about these five autistic sailors is by Anna Marie Goretzki for DW Documentary
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