Leah

Day 8! 🥳

Thursday 2nd Apr Day 8… We did it!!! 👣 15,693 our biggest day day what a way to end this 8 day challenge! We aimed for 80,000 steps in 8 days… but we completed a total of 101,073! I started this challenge feeling, unsure if I could fit it into everyday life and if I would get any donations, but here we are and we raised £97 and over did our goal in steps! Every single step has been for Ivy. 💛 This week has been about so much more than steps. It’s been about raising awareness, sharing our journey, and helping people understand that autism isn’t always visible. Some children don’t struggle loudly, they struggle quietly. And just because a child looks like they’re coping, doesn’t mean they are. But it’s also about celebrating the positives the joy, the curiosity, the uniqueness, and the beautiful ways neurodivergent children see the world and what we can learn from them! I am so proud of my daughter and everything she navigates every single day. And I’m so grateful for all the support, kindness, shares, and donations along the way it definitely helped our motivation! 💛 If you can, there is still time to donate, like or share, every bit helps support autistic children and their families. Thank you for being part of this journey 💛 Share

Day 7

Wednesday 1st Apr 💛 Day 7… nearly there 👣 14,347 Today marks the start of Autism Awareness Month. Autism doesn’t look the same in every child and for many girls, it’s often missed. Around 1 in 70 girls are diagnosed, compared to 1 in 20 boys… but the real number is likely much higher. Girls are often better at masking. They may seem “fine” on the outside quiet, polite, coping, but inside it can feel very different. My daughter is one of those children. She masks a lot, and many people wouldn’t realise we’ve recently received her diagnosis. She holds it all together… until she gets home. That’s why this matters so much. Every neurodivergent child is different, with their own strengths, challenges, and way of seeing the world, just like all of us. Some don’t struggle loudly, they struggle quietly. What you see on the outside isn’t always what’s happening on the inside. A little more understanding, less judgement, and more patience can make such a difference. The goal isn’t to make children fit the world, but to create a world that understands and supports them. We live in such a fast-paced world, and in the rush, we often miss so much, the small moments that truly matter. 💛 Awareness isn’t just about statistics, it’s about understanding, patience, and creating a world where children don’t feel they have to hide who they are. 👣 We are walking 80,000 steps in 8 days for Ivy, and for every child who deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated 💛 If you can, please keep sharing, liking or donating, it really does make a difference. Share

Day 6!

Tuesday 31st Mar Day 6! 👣 10,562 steps today! A busy day, sorting the house out and we also went swimming but we still got it done 💛 Share

Day 5!

Monday 30th Mar 👣 13,071 steps Progress over perfection, one step at a time 💛 So grateful for all the support we have had so far 💛 If you can, please keep sharing, liking, and/or donating, it really does make a difference. Share

Day 4 Complete!

Sunday 29th Mar 👣 10,332 steps today Halfway through and still going strong 💛 Every step is for Ivy and raising awareness for neurodivergence. Thank you for all the support so far — it really means so much. Walk for Autism is an exciting fundraising challenge to walk 10,000 steps a day for 8 days. https://www.walkforautism.co.uk/fundraisers/leahstanford/walk-for-autism Share

Day 3!

Saturday 28th Mar 3 down 5 to go! Share

Day 2 Done!!

Friday 27th Mar 💛 Day 2… done Today wasn’t easy — rain, a busy day, and very little time to walk. But I still showed up and got the steps in. Some days are not easy for Ivy either, but she still gets up and tries her best — so I will too. 💛 Every step is for her. Share

Day 1 Complete!

Thursday 26th Mar Love an evening walk! ⭐️ Share

Our Personal Journey!

Monday 9th Mar

I’m taking part in this walk because autism has touched my life in many ways, as a parent, through my work with children in early years education, and through friends whose children are on the spectrum.

Walk for Autism is a fantastic fundraising challenge run by Autism Initiatives Group. They are a UK charity that supports autistic people and their families and are working towards a world where every autistic person has the support they need to thrive to fulfil their potential.

Autism and being neurodivergent can show up very differently in each person. Some children, like my daughter, mask a lot when away from home and around others,  hiding how she really feels, imitating what is socially expected, and blending in to form friendships amongst other things. But inside, she can feel completely different. Masking can be exhausting, confusing, and lonely, the constant overthinking, the worry, anxiety and emotional build up and the relief only felt when finally safe at home and able to fully relax. Just because a child looks like they’re coping doesn’t mean they are and seeing that has been a big part of my journey as a parent, learning how to support and advocate for my daughter.

And yet, despite the challenges, there is so much to celebrate. My daughter’s curiosity, creativity, and unique perspective bring joy and wonder every day! She has an abundance of energy, a love for the outdoors, and a deep connection with animals. She is imaginative, brave in her own way, and her laughter and enthusiasm for the things she loves are contagious. Her intense curiosity and playful spontaneity often surprise and delight everyone around her. She approaches life with a fresh perspective, reminding us to look at the world differently and find joy in unexpected places. Every day, she shows me the beauty of being yourself, the power of resilience, and the joy of embracing life fully.

Every step I take in this walk is for her, and for a world that sees, values, supports, and embraces each child exactly as they are. This walk is a celebration of differences, of strengths, and of the amazing ways neurodivergent children enrich our lives.

My daughter’s diagnosis is new to us, and we are still in the process of further assessments, we are still learning what she needs and how best to support her, from simple adjustments, like allowing her more time to process information, to understanding that we live in a fast-paced world where so much can be missed if we rush. It’s a reminder to slow down, take a breath, and notice and celebrate the small moments that might otherwise be missed.

If my daughter can live in a world that is not yet fully shaped for her, then I can take these 80,000 steps for her. Every step counts toward inclusion, celebration, and inspiring joy along the way!

Whether or not you know someone on the spectrum, we can all take steps - literally - to help raise awareness, understanding, and acceptance. 

Please consider liking, sharing, and/or donating to support vital autism services and programs. 

Any donation big or small is greatly appreciated and will make such a difference!

Thank you for reading and supporting. 

Let’s all keep celebrating each other’s amazing quirks and differences!

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