Getting diagnosed with something after your teenage years isn’t usually some earth-shattering moment—it’s more of an “ohhh… that explains a lot.”

I was diagnosed with Asperger’s much later in life than I probably should have been, and my daughter was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of four. Today, about 1 in 31 kids in the U.S. are identified as being on the autism spectrum—and that doesn’t even include the kids who don’t have access to the resources needed for a diagnosis.

Some people say getting the diagnosis is the hardest part. I’m firmly in the camp that says the hardest part is the “okay… now what?”

As a parent, I always knew my child was different. The diagnosis didn’t change anything in our house. She was still the same kid she was the day before—just with a name for it. That said, I’d be lying if I said I don’t wake up some mornings wondering what the future holds for my daughter. My beautiful, creative, hilarious, wildly sensitive daughter.

Autism awareness, research, and advocacy aren’t just things I care about—they’re part of who I am and the road my family walks every single day.

I’m honored to be running the Walt Disney World Marathon as part of the Run for Autism team. It combines two of my favorite things: running (sometimes willingly) and raising awareness for autism. Every mile represents hope, progress, and moving things forward for families like mine—toward more understanding and real support.

I chose to run for the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) for a reason. It was founded and is led by parents and grandparents of autistic kids—which means the people in charge actually get it. While I could support a lot of great charities, OAR stands out because their values aren’t trendy or negotiable.

OAR exists to serve the autism community. Full stop. Their programs, policies, and decisions prioritize the needs of autistic individuals and their families—not optics, not politics, not personal agendas.

They focus on research that actually helps people right now—kids and adults on the spectrum, the families who love them, and the people supporting them day in and day out. And they hold themselves accountable to the community they serve, because real impact matters more than good press.

If you choose to donate, you’re directly supporting research, resources, and education that make life better—not just someday, but today. Your support means more than I can put into words for my family and so many others walking a similar path.

Thank you for cheering us on, supporting this cause, and helping build a future with more understanding, compassion, and possibility. 💙