22 years unseen. 140km for awareness.
For 22 years, I knew I was different.
I just didn’t know why.
I learnt to mask, achieve and keep up while quietly wondering why I never quite felt like I fit in.
At 22, I was late-diagnosed with AuDHD.
It didn’t change who I was.
It finally gave little KK an explanation.
If you met me today, you probably wouldn’t guess I’m autistic — and that’s exactly why this means so much to me.
Autism is a spectrum. It doesn’t have one “look.”
Now, at 24, I share my life openly through my socials @_keepupwithkk — including the parts of myself I once learnt to mask.
So this October, I’m running 140km for autism. 🩵
Not because autistic people need fixing.
Because I want fewer little KKs growing up believing they’re the problem simply because nobody understands their brain yet.
I don’t always have the means to donate to causes I care about, so these 140km are my contribution.
If you’re able to donate, I’m genuinely grateful. But sharing this, starting a conversation or listening to another neurodivergent person’s story can make a difference too.
Because the truth is, there are still parts of me that ache for the understanding I didn’t have as a child.
I think about the little girl who tried so hard to be “normal,” who came home exhausted from pretending, and who believed the struggle was something to be ashamed of.
I can’t go back and tell her she wasn’t broken.
But I can run for her now. 🏃🏽♀️
And if my story helps even one little KK feel seen, understood or less alone sooner, every physical step will be worth it.
22 years unseen.
140km so others aren’t. 🙏🏽
