I was diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder in August of 2022, something I’ve known since 7th grade. I can remember the exact moment it clicked in my brain, but because I learned to mask very early on, it was not noticed until my mid-30’s. That diagnosis changed everything for me. I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders - I now understood my struggles over the years, and started learning how to thrive with autism. I actually consider it my superpower, because it gives me the ability to do things that many other people cannot. It’s given me a strong sense of empathy, and the ability to connect to people on a level that others find difficult.
Over the past ten years, my mental and physical health has greatly declined, as I’ve found it hard to put my own needs first, especially during these rough times. This event is exactly 10 years out from my first half marathon, so it’s the perfect time for me to put myself first give it another shot. Running this race will help me start running again, impacting my health in a time when I need it the most.
Please help me achieve my goal of raising $1000 for an amazing organization, helping create programs and partnerships that are helping families affected by autism, and people like me, live life to the fullest.