Casey Pontin

For Rio and every child like him 💚

There are moments in life that change you forever. For me, that moment came wrapped in a diagnosis and in the beautiful, bright eyes of my son, Rio.

Rio is autistic. But before anything else, he is kind, curious, loving, funny, and endlessly unique. Autism is not something that defines him, but it is something that shapes how he experiences the world and how the world responds to him.

As a parent, loving a child with autism means learning a new language of patience, and unconditional love. It means celebrating milestones others may overlook, and navigating challenges others may never see. It means worrying about the future while fighting fiercely to make that future brighter.

Autism is far more common than many realize, yet support, understanding, and resources often fall short. Families like ours face ongoing costs therapies, specialised education, adaptive tools, and emotional support that can be overwhelming. Behind every statistic is a child like Rio, and parents doing everything they can to help their child thrive.

This cause is deeply personal to me. I am raising funds not just for my son, but for all children and families walking this path. Funds raised help support autism programs, research, early intervention services, and community resources that make a real, difference in daily lives.

When you donate, you’re not giving to a diagnosis you’re investing in potential. You’re helping create a world where children like Rio are understood, supported, and celebrated for exactly who they are.

My hope is for a future where autism is met with compassion instead of confusion, inclusion instead of isolation, and opportunity instead of limitation.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Thank you for standing with families like mine. And thank you for helping build a kinder, more inclusive world for Rio, and for so many others.