My name is Megan Koeth and I’m the mother of an 10-year-old boy named Carter. After years of knowing Carter was a brilliant, kind child with something unique about him, he was diagnosed with autism in 2021.

This winter, I am participating in the runDisney Princess half-marathon through AutismSpeaks TeamUp, an endurance fundraising program. I will be running in the 19.3 mile challenge again that consists of a 10k run on a Saturday and a half marathon on Sunday.  As part of this, I’ve challenged myself (with the help of my family) to raise $2,000 for AutismSpeaks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism, like Carter, throughout their lifespan. They accomplish this through advocacy, services, support, research and innovation, and advances in care for autistic individuals and their families.