Mary

Day one done ✅

I spent 42 years masking who I am. Now I’m walking for acceptance, understanding, and change 💜 10,000 steps a day. Every step has meaning. Please support if you can 🙏

I will be walking 10,000 steps a day from 26th March to 2nd April to raise money for Autism Initiatives Group Please sponsor me.

Any donation, big or small, is hugely appreciated 😊🧚💡💜

Here is my why ⏬⏬

From a young age, I knew I was different. I thought differently, struggled to fit in, and didn’t understand my emotions. Over time, in my effort to ‘fit in’, I pushed those emotions away and masked who I really was.

I became a chameleon, adapting to every situation just to belong. But this led to poor decisions, unhealthy coping strategies, and a decline in my mental health.

As I got older, the masking became too much. I couldn’t keep it up anymore, and I reached a point where I didn’t want to be here.

Everything started to change when my sister spoke to me about ADHD. I was diagnosed at 40 and began medication. It wasn’t easy, but things slowly became clearer. For the first time, there were small glimpses of light. 💡

Then something else surfaced — sensory issues that had always been there, but hidden beneath the noise of ADHD.

The world can feel overwhelming. Too loud, too bright, too much. I often need isolation to recover, and I struggle to communicate what I need.

In January 2026, I was diagnosed as Autistic.

I’m not ashamed of being Autistic, but I’m still learning how to accept myself and let go of the mask. I still mask more than I’d like, and that can take a toll on my mental health.

I’m learning to speak up now.  

When I tell you what I need to feel okay, it’s not something new. I’ve spent 42 years ignoring my own needs to please others and make life easier for them. Now, I’m learning to speak up — not to be difficult, but to be understood.

To say when something is too loud, too bright, or too overwhelming. Because staying silent for 42 years nearly broke me — and I would rather be heard than disappear into silence.

This challenge isn’t just about walking.

It’s about accepting who I am, helping others understand autism, and raising awareness for people like me. 🧚💜💡

My mental health has been low recently, and I’ve struggled to get moving. I’m hoping this challenge helps lift my mood, gives me a fresh start, and raises money to help autistic people thrive.

Walk for Autism is a fundraising challenge run by Autism Initiatives Group, supporting a world where every autistic person has the opportunity, understanding, and support they need.

If you can, please donate or share — it really means more than you know 💜💚💛