Carla Cannon

Day One of my Walk for Autism 💙

Day one of my walk for autism 💙

I started my morning with a quiet, mindful walk — just me, my thoughts, and a deep sense of purpose. With each step, I reflected on why I’m doing this and who I’m doing it for. My children, my family, the many young people I’ve supported, and especially those girls whose autism is so often unseen. It grounded me, reminded me that this journey is bigger than just steps — it’s about awareness, understanding, and change.

Even after a full day with my little man, Zay’vion, my beautiful grandson, I kept going. No excuses — just determination.

This evening, I added even more steps, walking alongside my partner, Matthew. That support means everything. And today… I smashed it 🙌

And a huge huge huge shoutout to my sister, Kristel - thank you for your pep talks and the posts and the support! My heroine !!! Love you millions xxx

This is only the beginning 💙

Day One - Walking for Autism: This is Personal

Today is day one of my walk for autism, and this journey begins not just with my feet on the ground, but with my heart wide open.

I’m not walking for a cause that sits at a distance from me. I’m walking for my life, my family, and the many stories that have shaped who I am.

I’m walking for my two children, who have shown me the world through a lens of honesty, sensitivity, and depth I may never have fully understood otherwise. Being their mother has been both a challenge and a gift—one that has taught me patience, advocacy, and the importance of truly seeing a person for who they are.

I’m walking for my brother, Michael, and for my nephews, Tommie and Harry. I’m walking for family members and friends whose journeys with autism are woven into the fabric of our everyday lives.

I’m also walking for the many children I have supported during my time in education—those who felt different, who struggled to fit into spaces that weren’t built with them in mind. The ones who were misunderstood, overlooked, or quietly trying to cope.

And I want to speak especially for the girls.

The girls who mask.
The girls who sit quietly, who learn to mimic, who hold everything in until it becomes too much.
The girls who are often missed because they don’t “look” autistic in the way people expect.

I see you.

This walk is also for women—women of a certain age—who are only now beginning to recognise their own autistic traits. Women who have spent years adapting, blending in, questioning themselves, and wondering why life has felt just that bit harder.

Because this journey has led me to a deeper truth: I, too, am neurodivergent.

And with that recognition has come a mixture of clarity, grief, and acceptance—but also strength.

I’ve always said to those who felt different, “Different is amazing.”
And I still believe that, more than ever.

Different is not something to hide.
It’s something to understand, to nurture, and to celebrate.

So today, with every step, I walk for awareness.
For acceptance.
For visibility.
For change.

And most importantly, I walk so that no one has to feel alone in who they are.

If you can, please take a moment to read, share, and support this journey. Every bit of awareness we raise matters.

This is only day one.

And I’m just getting started.