Every step, every mile for Carson.
$5,000 of $5,000
Life is pretty different than I imagined. The last 18 years couldn’t be further removed than how I thought life would go. And if I look at life through that lens, it would be quite easy to feel defeated, and feel life isn’t fair. But if there is one lesson we can all learn from the past few years, it’s that none of us know what’s going to happen next in our lives. Our whole world can be turned upside down in an instant, and still we find a way to adapt. We just do.
Autism has meant life has been incredibly challenging at times. For Carson, and for me. On top of that there’s been typical life challenges. Missing out on things to meet his current needs has been challenging, isolating. Missing friends and family, and missing out on social events in order to meet your child’s needs, is one of the most challenging things for autism parents. You can’t ‘just’ go to the park, to a party, to a restaurant, on a vacation, be around other kids, or go to the zoo. Even the simplest things like waiting can be incredibly stressful. It’s easy to become more and more isolated from a community we need. We are hardwired for social interaction and relationships, we have a need to connect. When that starts to fade away, it can be incredibly difficult.
This is why I run. Why I am running my 27th (Akron) and 28th (New York City) marathon for KutureCity. Why I care so deeply about this organization and the mission, to create a more inclusive world for those with sensory, communication and behavioral needs. With the right adaptions and accommodations, there are so many experiences that are possible. So many experiences our kids don’t have to miss out on. We want their world to be bigger, but also a happy one. I couldn’t be more hopeful for more community spaces with inclusive spaces, learning about our children’s needs, and welcoming to all. That maybe one day our lives won’t have to be quite so hard and isolating.
I can say these two marathons will be my biggest challenge yet, and my most rewarding after the past few months. My goal is to raise $5000 for KultureCity. Every step, every mile, every dollar means a bigger and better and more patient world for Carson and for others like him. Parenthood is about celebrating and accepting the child you have, not what you thought they would be. I believe the best days are ahead of us. Thank you for caring about us, supporting us, and loving us. ❤️
