My Walk for Autism Challenge
Total 84,854 steps
I'm walking for...... Thomas
Hello my name is Katie. I am a proud big sister to Thomas aged 11. At 2 years of age Thomas was diagnosed with Autism.
Right now there are around 700,000 autistic children and adults in the UK. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.
Thomas was born on a beautiful summers days in August 2013. On this day I became a big sister again. Holding him for the first time was the scariest but most incredible moment. I knew from that moment that I would do just about anything to protect you and give you the world. Throughout the coming months, Thomas began to meet the developmental milestones for his age and was a happy, thriving little boy. His fun and cheeky personality began to shine through. Thomas said his first words of mamma and dadda at the end of 2014. At this time, Thomas was communicating through a mixture of babble and putting the puppy dog eyes on for his older siblings as he knew that we couldn’t say no!
From this point Thomas’ speech did not progress. We began to see a regression in his development and as we now know he began to show traits of Autism. Thomas would often spin around, tip toe walk, line up toys, line down whilst playing and jump from heights.
At his 2 year developmental check, Thomas was referred to speech and language and paediatrician, in time receiving a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. As a family we now had to try to navigate what this meant.
Thomas began receiving intervention from health professionals, nursery and from the special school that he attendants. We began to see small steps of progress being made.
Fast forward 9 years later and Thomas has made progress in leaps and bounds. This progress may seem insignificant to some but to us as a family has been massive. Thomas will now sit at a restaurant for a full meal which means we can go out as a family without anyone staying at home. He loves swimming and was chosen to represent his school at a swimming gala. His diet is limited to certain foods but throughout the last year alone has tired and enjoyed cheese pizza, garlic bread and marshmallows. Thomas has also made his very first friend at school!
I have decided to take on the Walk for Autism challenge to spread awareness of Autism. To represent my Thomas and all of the children I have and currently do care for in my role as a nursery practitioner. I am walking to raise money for them and for their future so that they will always be supported throughout school and later life. I am walking out of love for them❤️
Please support and donate if you can. Any donation will be gratefully received and will be going towards funding projects and providing support for children and adults with Autism.
Thank you,
Katie
(One very proud big sister)
My Achievements
Added profile picture
First donation received
Raised £20 t-shirt is on its way
50% fundraising target
100% fundraising target
Challenge completed
Thank you to my Sponsors
£185
Buckshaw Village Nursery
£52
Charlotte Evans
Thank you Katie! Love, the Evans x
£24
Splash
Cake sale funds 😍
£22.88
David Johnson
£22.88
Deb And Dean Evans
Good luck Katie! 💖 ( Archer & Axel Grandparents )
£22.88
The Hineys X
Good luck Katie, you are such a fab big sister!
£20.80
Stephanie Calam
Good luck Katie! Think of the body magic!! Xx
£20.80
Tracey Booty
Great cause Katie! You’ve got this! xx
£20
Marie Oates
A cause close to my heart too. Good luck!! x
£20
Sally Casewell
You’ll smash your goal x
£20
Anonymous
£20
Emma Lawson
Well Done Katie!! Fab effort for an amazing cause. You are an amazing sister to Thomas. Love Martyn, Emma, Isla & Thomas Xxx
£16.64
Rebecca Rigler
Goooooo Katie!! Xx
£16.56
Nanna
Good luck Honey. Love Nanna XX
£12.48
Beth Sumner
Good luck from Amelie (Lowers 1) x
£12.48
Eleanor Robinson
Good luck Katie ❤️
£12.48
Amy Mills
Go Katie! You can do this 🌈 Love Amy, Jon, Harry and Alfie xxx
£12.48
Annie Ellis
Lots of luck Katie!! What an amazing cause xxx
£12
Jenny Edgar
£12
Megan Stuart
Well done Katie xx
£11.33
Macy Estlin
This is amamzing!
£11.33
Laura Doughty
Your amazing! Love you.
£10
Susan Lally
£10
Leanne Nolan
You’ll smash it Katie!! Well done! Love me, Gerard and Lou xxxx
£6.11
Jen Hall
Good luck!
£5.20
Danielle Oates
Good luck Katie! Love Dylan (Lowers 2) xxx
£5.20
Joanne Durkin
Good luck Katie! And well done for raising money for this important cause .
£5
Emma How
£5
Celia Gardner
What a great way to raise money for such an important condition. Well done & keep up the great work you are doing
£5
Ashleigh S
Well done so far Katie!!
Cake sale funds 🤩