I am perhaps in over my head but honored and excited to be running the Disneyland 10K alongisde my sister, Allie, as part of Dougie's Team! Allie will also be running the Disneyland Half Marathon the following day. We are running to not only to raise acceptance and awareness of autism, but to help this wonderful organization empower autistic individuals, families, and communities to live "life to the fullest" and to feel a sense of safety and belonging, in keeping with the vision of a world where autistic individuals lead productive lives where they are included, respected, and actively engaged in their communities. As an autistic individual myself, I also feel confident in supporting this organization given its ongoing, actively evolving reception to the concerns of the autistic community and neurodiversity movement. Supporting organizations like the Flutie Jr. Foundation to provide meaningful supports and resources to individuals, families, and communities, and promoting the importance of self-advocacy and self-determination for autistic individuals through initiatives such as the STARS program are more vital than ever given the current climate of misinformation and policy and legislative decision-making that has adversely affected autistic individuals, disabled individuals, and their families and communities.
Please help me support by making a contribution to my fundraiser and sharing this page with your family and friends. Every dollar will advance the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism's mission to "encourage acceptance and raise awareness about autism, while raising money to create programs and partnerships that are helping families affected by autism live life to the fullest!"
Yes, the use of person-first language is debatable, but given other things going on right now that's a discussion to save for another time.