Denni-Maree Cook

50 kilometres for my boys. ❤️

This October, I’m running 50 kilometres for Autism. I’ll be honest - anyone who knows me will understand that voluntarily running 50km is probably evidence that something has gone terribly wrong. 😂 But there is a reason behind every kilometre.

Autism isn’t a cause that sits somewhere outside my life. It is woven into our family. 7 Year Old Son Vinny has Level 3 Autism, PDA, ADHD and is a Gestalt Language Processor, amongst other challenges. My stepson, Oliver who is 8, also is Level 3 Autistic, with PDA and ADHD. I’ve had the privilege of watching these two incredible boys navigate a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, unpredictable and simply not designed with them in mind. There are undoubtedly challenges - sensory overload, communication barriers, demands that can feel impossible, advocacy, appointments and the constant work of trying to understand what they need. But alongside that is an extraordinary amount of beauty.

There is the humour, the honesty, the remarkable way they notice things others miss, their intense interests, their individuality and those moments of connection that might look small to someone else but mean everything to us. They have taught me that communication is so much more than words, that progress doesn’t always look the way you expect it to, and that different does not mean less.

I also know so many people raising autistic children, as well as people who are autistic themselves. Their experiences are incredibly varied, but there is a common thread - too often, people are expected to adapt themselves to a world that isn’t particularly good at adapting to them. That is something I hope we continue to change.

So I’m running these 50 kilometres to support greater understanding, earlier diagnosis, autism-specific education and research, and ultimately a world where autistic people are given every opportunity to thrive as themselves - rather than being expected to become someone else.

And if you see me struggling through October, please remember that I chose this. Nobody forced me. I actually signed up willingly. I will therefore be accepting absolutely no sympathy when my knees start formally drafting their resignation letter. 😂

I am incredibly honoured to parent autistic children. They have challenged me, changed me and expanded my understanding of the world in ways I could never have anticipated. My boys have shown me that there is so much beauty in experiencing the world differently, and I’ll keep running - literally and figuratively - towards a world that sees that beauty too. ❤️

I’m joining the movement to Run for Autism. But I need your help.

Why am I running 70km this October? Because 70% of Autistic people face mental health challenges.

I’m running towards a more inclusive world where Autistic Australians have the opportunity to thrive. 

Please donate now and show your support to my fundraiser.  You’ll be helping provide early diagnosis, autism-specific education, and critical research into mental health issues experienced by Autistic people so they can access the support they need to realise their different brilliant®. 

You’ll also give me the motivation I need to log my kilometres as I go the distance throughout October. Donate now to show your support. 

Thank you!