Ali Pepe

This November, I will be running my 8th Marathon, and am honored that I will be doing so as a member of  The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism Team.

As a special education teacher, I work with many students who are on the spectrum and love every minute of it! My students inspire me because they never let their diagnosis define them. However, I recognize that those with Autism will face so many obstacles throughout their life, and it will take a lot of hard work and perseverance to overcome those obstacles. My hope that by sharing my marathon journey for an amazing team like Flutie with them, I may inspire them even a fraction of how much they inspire me.

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism is proud to be an official charity partner of the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon and the presenting sponsor of the Boston Marathon Adaptive Program for runners! 

Former NFL Quarterback, Doug Flutie, and his wife Laurie started the Doug Flutie, Jr. Flutie Foundation for Autism in 1998 after their son, Dougie, was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Their personal experience of raising a son on the autism spectrum inspired them to help others on an equally long and challenging journey. Over its 25-year history, the Flutie Foundation has distributed over $14 million to schools and organizations who provide clinical therapies, respite services, recreational programs, social skills training, job supports and more for people affected by autism. The Flutie Foundation also provides education technology tools, adaptive camp scholarships, safety equipment, and direct family support through its special programs. The Flutie Foundation’s newest initiative, Flutie Spectrum Enterprises, will help create businesses to employ adults with autism.