Sophie Richold

My beautiful girl

There and half years ago, my daughter Mia filled our home with a few precious words. As time went on, those words are silent. Mia is currently awaiting an autism diagnosis, and our journey has been one I never imagined—but one I would choose every single time if it meant choosing her.

Autism doesn’t arrive with a handbook. It arrives quietly, slowly, and then all at once. It shows itself in missed milestones, unanswered questions, long waiting lists, and a deep, aching worry that sits in your chest at night. Over those years my role had to change because so did she. 

I became her voice when she couldn’t tell the world what she needed.

Her carer when the days were overwhelming.

Her advocate in rooms where I had to fight to be heard.

Her comfort when everything felt too loud, too bright, too much.

I became her everything—because she needed me to be 

Mia has taught me patience, strength, and how to see the world differently, to cherish even the littlest of things, too find beauty in everything . She communicates without words, and if you take the time to truly see her, she has so much to say.

This charity walk is in honour of Mia. It’s for her, and for every child waiting for answers. For every parent sitting on a waiting list, feeling exhausted, invisible, and unsure of what the future holds. It’s for the families navigating therapies, appointments, and the emotional weight that comes with loving a child who experiences the world differently.

Autism doesn’t need to be fixed—it needs understanding, support, and compassion.

I walk because Mia can’t always tell the world how she feels.

I walk because she deserves to be seen.

I walk because love makes you brave—even on the hardest days.

Thank you for supporting our walk and for helping me honour my beautiful daughter, Mia 💙 You’re helping create a world where children like Mia are accepted, supported, and celebrated for exactly who they are.

Love Sophie 🥹