On Sunday, September 29, I will be walking to support my daughter who was diagnosed with autism on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at the age of 21 months old.  She is almost five years old now and even though she doesn't speak yet, she finds ways to communicate with everyone around her.  She has a larger-than-life personality, a smile that lights up any room; she loves music, dance and art, and she is the most persistent and determined little girl I have ever known.  She will be starting kindergarten this fall, and her father and I couldn’t be more proud of the progress she makes every day!

My daughter is just one of the over 70 million children and adults that are affected by autism.  Each of them, have unique strengths, challenges and potential. Autism Speaks will be there for them. You and I can be too.

It’s only through the dedicated support of people like us that Autism Speaks can continue their vital mission work. Each year, the Autism Speaks Autism Response Team makes direct contact with tens of thousands of individuals looking for advice or guidance and more than one million people access their free nationwide autism services and resources. They continue to partner and support research to improve the lives of people with autism by investing in science that will allow more personalized treatments and therapies. You can find out even more about where your fundraising dollars go at autismspeaks.org/our-work.

Please join me by donating to help me reach my fundraising goal. Together, we have the power to enhance the lives of people with autism and make a meaningful difference. Thanks so much for your support!