Carla Cannon

Day Eight - Final Update

This evening marked the end of the challenge, and I’m so proud to say that I finished with an incredible 101,775 steps in total.

Reaching this milestone means so much to me, and I want to take a moment to say a huge thank you to everyone who sponsored me, cheered me on, and sent messages of encouragement along the way. Every kind word, donation, and bit of support helped keep me going.

A very special thank you goes to my sister, Kristel for her early morning pep talks and encouragement and also to my cousin, Gary, who really encouraged me to keep pushing and helped motivate me to reach the 100,000 step goal. Having that support made such a difference, thanks guys!

It feels especially meaningful that today is World Autism Awareness Day. Ending this journey on a day that shines a light on autism awareness, understanding, and acceptance makes this challenge even more special. It’s a reminder of why raising awareness and support matters so much, and I’m grateful to have played a small part in that through this challenge.

Looking back, this experience has been about more than just steps. It has been about determination, encouragement, and the power of people coming together for an important cause. 

Finishing on 101,775 steps feels like more than just a number. It reflects generosity, encouragement, and a shared effort to make a difference. I’m ending this challenge feeling thankful and inspired.

Thank you all so much for being part of this journey.

Day Eight - Final Day and Last Push

Today is the final day.

After seven days of walking, reflecting, and writing, it all comes down to one last push towards 100,000 steps. This challenge has never just been about numbers. It has been about commitment, honesty, resilience, and purpose.

Over the past week, there have been good days and difficult ones. These last seven days have reminded me that progress is not about being perfect. It is about showing up, being honest, and carrying on.

Looking back at these blogs, one thing stands out most: I have not done this alone. The people who have featured in these posts have helped make this challenge more meaningful. Their support, their stories, and their place in my life have been part of every step.

Family has been at the centre of it all. Life has carried on around this challenge, with all its distractions, responsibilities, and everyday moments. That is what has made it real. It has happened in the middle of real life which makes every step feel even more important.

As I reach this final day, I know this is my last chance to give it everything. One last push. One last effort to reach 100,000 steps. Whatever the final number is, I want to finish knowing I gave it everything I had.

But this week has also been about something bigger. It has been a chance to reflect on autism and the need for greater understanding, acceptance, and change.

My hope for the future is that we are not just acknowledged, but truly understood, supported, and valued. I hope for more patience, more awareness, and more inclusion in schools, workplaces, and society. I hope for a world where we can be fully ourselves and be accepted for who we are.

Too often, autism is still misunderstood. That needs to change. Real change comes through listening, learning, kindness, and making space for voices to be heard.

If this week has shown me anything, it is that progress happens step by step. Change does not happen all at once, but it does happen when people keep going.

So on this final day, that is exactly what I will do. I will take this last push with pride and with hope for the future, hope for change, and hope for a world that better understands and supports autism.

Today is the final day.

Now it is time to finish strong.

Day Seven Update - No Excuses!

Today I fell short. No excuses. I let myself down, and I own that.

I did not make the 10,000 steps today. I had the time, even with everything going on and with Mitchell returning home from Notts Trent Uni, but instead of staying focused and getting it done, I lost concentration. That is on me.

I’m not going to dress it up or laugh it off. I’m being open, honest, and accountable. I’m sorry to those I’ve let down.

But tomorrow is a new day, and it is the final day. I will make up for the steps I missed today, hit over 10,000 tomorrow, and finish strong. I want to go out with pride knowing I gave it everything.

I can't wait to hear all about Maxwell’s adventures in Nice when he gets home with Millie tomorrow.

Today I fell short. Tomorrow, I will come back stronger.

Day Seven Update - No Excuses!

Today I fell short. No excuses. I let myself down, and I own that.

I did not make the 10,000 steps today. I had the time, even with everything going on and with my Mitchell returning from Notts Trent Uni, but instead of staying focused and getting it done, I lost concentration. That is on me.

I’m not going to dress it up or laugh it off. I’m being open, honest, and accountable. I’m sorry to those I’ve let down.

But tomorrow is a new day, and it is the final day. I will make up for the steps I missed today, hit over 10,000 tomorrow, and finish strong. I want to go out with pride, with glory, and knowing I gave it everything.

I can't wait to hear all about Maxwell’s adventures in Nice when he gets home with Millie tomorrow.

Today I fell short. Tomorrow, I will come back stronger.

Day Seven - Today is for Maxwell

Oh, Maxwell. What can I say about this lad of mine? He is like an old soul in a young man’s body, with the biggest heart, the best smile, and a way about him that makes people warm to him instantly. He is kind, generous, funny, clever, full of energy, and just one of those people who leaves a mark wherever he goes. He keeps me on my toes, makes me laugh, gives the greatest hugs, and no matter how old he gets.

When he was little, he used to be my shadow and we did so much together, and even now he checks in on me, makes sure I’m okay, and somehow always knows how to make me feel valued. The way he praises me as his mom means more to me than he will ever truly know, and I feel so lucky that I get to be Maxwell’s mom.

With Maxwell secondary school felt like a hamster wheel of meetings, and I often felt like I was forever fighting his corner to make sure he had the right support around him. Even through all of that, so many of his teachers thought the world of him, because underneath it all they could see exactly who he was, a lovable rogue with a winning smile, the kind of smile that got him out of trouble more times than I could count. And now, just like with Josh, we can look back and laugh at the scrapes he got himself into, the meetings we had, and the stories that still come out now that I somehow never knew at the time. He really is a huge minx, and I think he will always be.

I still laugh when I think about him leaving primary school and saying he was going to 'stay under the radar and keep himself to himself', because that didn’t last long at all. Instead, he became Mr Popular, with a huge group of friends, many of whom he still has around him today, and I think that says everything about the kind of person he is. People are drawn to him, and they always have been.

He is only 20, but he has such an old head on his shoulders, and there are so many times when he feels older than his years because he is so focused, so sensible, and so sure of what he wants from life. When Maxwell has a plan, he sees it through, and once he sets his mind on something, nothing gets in his way. He is such a go-getter, always thinking ahead, always working towards the life he wants, and I truly believe he is going to go so far because he has that drive in him.

He is so health-conscious and disciplined in the way he lives, it has to be fresh food, cooking for himself, going to the gym, playing football, and taking care of himself in a way that shows real maturity. He loves helping his friends, loves travelling and going off on adventures, and he has such a brilliant love of music, from Elvis and Billy Joel right through to all things Hip Hop and Rap. He can turn his hand to so much, and he brings so much life wherever he goes.

He is also so clever, so bright, and so naturally intelligent. I have never known anyone know so many capitals of the world, and there were times I would test him just to see if I could catch him out, but he would always know them, and I would be left wondering how on earth he knew all this stuff. He has always had that spark about him, that quickness, that humour, that brightness, and he is such a joker as well, always making people laugh and always bringing that energy with him.

I love the relationships he has with the people around him too. He has a brilliant relationship with Joshua, loves a game of chess with him, and he is always looking out for Mitchell in that way only brothers close in age can. With only a year between them, they were practically like twins growing up and were inseparable for so much of their childhood. He has a lovely bond with his sister, he is the best uncle to Elsie and Zay'vion who absolutely adore him, and he has a lovely girlfriend in Millie. He is surrounded by love because he gives so much of it.

He is doing so well in his apprenticeship, and it is so clear how valued he is where he works, treated as one of the lads and respected for the young man he is becoming. At the moment he is holidaying in Nice, France, living his best life, and that just feels so Maxwell to me, working hard, planning for his future, making memories, and enjoying life along the way.

More than anything though, what makes Maxwell so special is the way he loves, the way he cares, the way he notices people, and the way he never lets the people closest to him doubt how much they matter. He is funny, loving, loyal, driven, and full of heart, and I am so incredibly proud of the man he is.

I am so lucky to call him my son, and I absolutely love him to bits. So today is all about Maxwell.

Day Six Update

Today was a Nanny Day Care Day, so it was one of those busy days spent running around after Zay’vion. Even with all that I was still behind on my steps.

When the sun shines everything feels that little bit better and we had the best time playing shopping, reading books and playing football together in the garden. 

This evening, I had to use the same trick as yesterday to get myself over the 10,000-step mark - walking back and forth while reading Hotel World by Ali Smith. It did the job plus I have finished the book which I can highly recommend, by the way.

While I was out in the garden with Zay, I found myself thinking about this time next year, when there will be another little grandson enjoying time in Nanny’s garden too, Josh and Ella’s baby boy, which really made me smile. And of course, I’m sure he’ll be sporting an Aston Villa kit!!

Much love xx

Day Six - Celebrating Josh

Today is not about revisiting the long list of challenges Joshua faced when he was younger. It is not about focusing on the difficult moments, the diagnoses, or the struggles that once felt so heavy. Instead, today is about celebrating Joshua for the incredible person he is.

Josh is one of the most loving and humorous people I know. He cares deeply for his family, and that love shows in everything he does. He is an amazing father who absolutely adores his daughter, Elsie, and his nephew, Zay'vion. Watching him with them is such a joy, because his love is so natural and genuine.

He has built a wonderful relationship with Maxwell and is also very close to his other siblings, Mitchell and Charlotte. Josh has a way of being the voice of reason in so many situations. He does not mince his words, and he says things exactly as they are. That honesty, paired with his loyalty and love, is one of the things that makes him special.

Josh works incredibly hard and has built a life he can be proud of. He is now an electrician, working hard in a career he has earned through determination and perseverance. He owns his own home, which is a huge achievement, and he shares his life with his brilliant partner, Ella. Together, they are expecting their second child, which he is so excited about, and it is wonderful to see him excited especially at this stage in his life.

The journey has not always been easy. There have been challenges along the way, and moments in the past that once felt difficult and overwhelming. But what is so lovely now is that we can look back on many of those incidents and laugh. Time, growth, and understanding have given us the ability to smile at those memories rather than revisit them with sadness or anger. They are part of the story, part of what has shaped Josh into the amazing man he is today.

And that is what today is really about. A celebration of everything that is Joshua: his strength, his humour, his honesty, his love for his family, and the wonderful life he has built for himself.

I am so very, very proud to call him my son.

Day Five Update - Thank you Ali Smith!

Day Five : The Blessing of Sibling Support

Today’s post is about something that can so often go unseen, but means everything in families like ours, sibling support.

For the most part, I was raising my four children on my own, and there were many times when my focus had to be on Joshua and Maxwell and the support they needed. In those moments, Charlotte was always there helping with Mitchell. She stepped in with love, patience and maturity well beyond her years, and in so many ways she became like a second mom.

Charlotte and I have always shared a very close relationship, and I will always be deeply grateful for the support she gave during some of the hardest times. It is something I have never forgotten and never will. When life felt overwhelming and the demands of parenting were pulling me in so many directions, Charlotte was a steady, loving presence.

What means so much to me is that while she was supporting Mitchell, she was also navigating her own sibling relationships with Joshua and Maxwell. That is not always easy, and yet she showed such compassion, understanding and strength. She gave so much of herself, not because she had to, but because that is who she is.

The bond between siblings in families like ours can be incredibly powerful. It is often built through patience, resilience, shared experience and deep compassion. Charlotte’s support for Mitchell, and the way she held her place within the family through everything, is a blessing I will always carry with me.

Today’s walk is for sibling love, quiet strength and the children who step up for one another.

Sibling connection and compassion really are a blessing.

Day Four Update - A Strange Day but Smashed Target

It’s been a strange, out-of-sorts kind of day today. I’ve been battling hayfever, which seems ridiculous given how awful the weather has been, but tree pollen clearly has a lot to answer for.

I spent some time with Mikey and mom, who has been quite poorly, yet still she puts my brother's care above her own. I managed to do my walk around my local area, around the forests and two rivers, and that really helped. I heard Mr. Woodpecker again, but have yet to catch a glimpse of him. Mr.Heron is also in hiding! 

 A trip to Melbicks Garden Centre also added to the step count, so despite feeling a bit off, I still managed to smash 10,000 steps.

Here is to tomorrow!

Day 4 – Why Art Can Make A Difference

Today I wanted to share something very close to my heart — the power of art for autistic people, not just children, but adults too.

I’m an ambassador for Outside In and part of the West Midlands Art Advisory Group. Outside In supports artists who face barriers to the art world because of disability, health, social circumstance, or isolation. Being part of that community has meant a great deal to me.

Outside In has supported me in ways that go far beyond art. It has helped me understand myself more deeply — not only my mental health struggles, but the fact that so much of what I have experienced is also connected to being neurodivergent, not just trauma. That understanding has been huge. It has helped me look back at my life with more compassion and make sense of things I carried for a very long time.

And I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t mention art.

Art has given me a way to process, to express, and to breathe. It has been a place where I can put things when words don’t quite fit. It has helped me feel seen, and sometimes it has helped me see myself more clearly too.

Over the last six weeks, I have also seen that same kind of magic happen in the children I’ve been working with in art workshops. Some of the children have autism or SEN needs, and I have watched them come alive through art. I’ve seen children who may struggle in other spaces engage, express themselves, experiment, and take pride in what they create. It’s been such a reminder that art can open doors that nothing else quite reaches.

Art can offer so much, a way to communicate without words, a sense of calm, sensory exploration, confidence, achievement, and connection. It can be a safe space, a release, and a way of making sense of the world.

That’s one of the reasons this fundraiser means so much to me. Autism has shaped my life, both personally and professionally, and I know how important understanding, support, and the right opportunities can be.

If you would like to support my walk for Autism, I would be so grateful. Thank you for reading and for supporting something that means so much to me.

The photograph features a piece I created during covid, 'Inner Isolating Scream'; my home was busy, my 'normal' was no longer normal, there was no set routine, and I struggled hugely. I exhibited this piece at The Old Print Works, Mosely.

There are days when completely overwhelmed and out of sorts that I still feel like this.

Day Three Update : Steps, Support and Special Memories in Devon

A huge thank you to son, Maxwell, and his girlfriend, Millie for helping out today so I could get my steps in, I really appreciated it.

It’s been so lovely seeing all the photos of Kristel, Tommie and Harry making new memories together on their holiday in Devon. It’s amazing to see them making such happy memories together.

Walking for Autism: A Tribute to a Warrior Mom, Kristel aka Sledge

There are so many incredible SEN moms who are true warriors, fighting every single day for their children. Today, I want to give a huge shout out to one very special mom in particular — my sister, Kristel.

Kristel has had a remarkable career in hospitality. From working on cruise ships and travelling the world from port to port, to becoming a General Manager for Gaucho restaurants across London, and even opening a restaurant in Tanzania, she has always been a go-getter — driven, ambitious, fearless, and always striving for the top.

But her greatest role, and the one that inspires me most, is being mom to her two amazing boys, Tommie and Harry, both of whom have autism.

Kristel has fought tirelessly for the best and rightful support for her boys. From moving them to the right educational provider to the constant battle for the support they deserve — especially with Harry’s EHCP — she has never given up. She has faced challenge after challenge, yet she continues to stand tall, push forward, and make sure her boys have every opportunity to thrive.

What makes Kristel even more special is that her fight for the boys goes far beyond education and support. She is determined to give Tommie and Harry every experience the world has to offer. She creates opportunities for them, takes them on adventures, gives them beautiful holidays, and makes memories with them that will last a lifetime. She believes their world should be big, exciting, joyful, and full of possibility. She dreams big for both of them, and she never puts limits on what they can achieve. In fact, she knows in her heart that Harry will be Prime Minister one day.

Alongside all of this, Kristel raises her boys single-handedly with incredible strength and love. She also trains regularly for the Great Birmingham Run, raising money for Birmingham Children’s Charity. She is a total gym fiend, a real pocket rocket, and someone whose energy, determination, and resilience never stop amazing the people around her.

The boys are also so lucky to have the love and support of their Nanny and Poppa, Shani and Ian. The bond they share is incredibly special, and the love, care, and support they give Tommie and Harry means so much. That relationship is such an important part of the boys’ lives and a beautiful reminder of how strong family support can be.

So today’s walk is for all SEN warrior moms — but especially for my sister, Kristel. For every battle fought behind closed doors, for every opportunity she creates, for every adventure she makes possible, for every dream she holds for her boys, and for the endless love she pours into Tommie and Harry every single day.

A Wonderful Afternoon at the ARC Easter Art Workshop

Day Two of Walk for Autism: If Only Someone Had Listened

Today’s walk feels especially personal.

When I was young, my younger brother Michael, who is seven years younger than me, began to show signs that something was different. My mum could see he was struggling. This was around 35 years ago, when understanding of autism was far more limited than it is today.

My mum came across an American article describing autism and its traits, and she knew straight away that it described Michael. She took that article to the doctor, hoping someone would listen and take her concerns seriously. But the GP refused to believe Michael had autism.

That moment has stayed with our family ever since.

As Michael got older, life was never straightforward. He was an amazing artist, with a real eye for style and detail. He loved everything Tokyo, was obsessed with Superdry, and collected trainers. We were extremely close growing up, and he would often come out with me and my Etam girls. He was funny, warm, and full of life, and there was a time when you could still see his personality shining so clearly.

But Michael always struggled to find his place. He never really had a solid circle of friends, and in trying to fit in, in trying to feel normal, he turned to drugs. Due to this, he developed mental health problems and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia.

It has been a long, painful road for my mum and dad. Back then, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was very little support for children with autism, and worse still, my mother’s instincts were dismissed. She knew her child needed help, but nobody listened.

Years later, in his early 40s, we found out Michael also has cerebral atrophy, which means his brain is shrinking. He has had seizures that have damaged his frontal lobes, and the impact has been devastating. He now needs round-the-clock care from my parents, who are both in their 70s, alongside the carers they have in place.

Now, Michael is very different. He repeats the same two sentences over and over again, and we cannot have a full conversation with him. That is incredibly hard to witness. But he is still lovable. I still get my kisses and hugs, and those moments mean everything. My father is the one person who can still make Michael laugh, and seeing that small spark in him is both beautiful and heartbreaking.

Sometimes I sit and think: what if somebody had listened to my mum all those years ago? What if Michael had been understood and supported earlier? What if he had not felt such a desperate need to fit in? Would life have been kinder to him?

That is the heartbreak of it.

So Day Two of this walk is for Michael. It is for my mum, who knew. It is for my dad, who still makes him laugh. It is for parents who are dismissed when they know deep down that something is not right. And it is for every child who needs someone to listen before it is too late.

Please, if you are a parent and you feel something is not right, trust yourself. Do not doubt your instincts. Keep fighting for your child, even when people try to brush your concerns aside.

Sometimes a mother knows.
Sometimes a family knows.
And sometimes they should have been heard from the very beginning.