Madison Perry

My walk for autism

Having an autistic sister has taught me a kind of love I don’t think I would have learned any other way.

She sees the world differently. Sometimes the things I find simple feel overwhelming to her, and sometimes the things she finds fascinating are things I would have never noticed at all. She has taught me patience, not just the kind where you wait, but the kind where you truly try to understand someone else’s world.

She has taught me that love isn’t always spoken in words. Sometimes it’s in the way she trusts me, the way she smiles when she feels safe, or the way she lets me into her space when the world feels too loud.

Growing up with her made me protective, but it also made me proud. Proud of her strength in a world that isn’t always built for her. Proud of the way she keeps going, even when things are hard. And proud to be someone she depends on.

She has changed me. She has made me kinder, more understanding, and more aware that everyone is fighting their own quiet battles.

She isn’t just my autistic sister. She’s my teacher, my reminder, and one of the purest forms of love I know. 

And I wouldn’t change her for the world.

That’s one of the reasons why taking part in the Walk for Autism and why it means so much to me. Walk for Autism is a fundraising challenge where people walk and raise money to support autistic people and their families, helping to fund projects that improve wellbeing, provide specialist support, and create more inclusive communities. (Walk for Autism) Every step taken helps raise awareness, improve understanding, and remind families like mine that they are not alone.

Knowing that there are charities, communities, and people walking alongside families like ours gives me hope. It reminds me that my sister is part of a world that is learning to understand her more, support her more, and accept her for exactly who she is.