A Bacchus Marsh resident is walking 7000 steps every day this month to raise awareness and understanding of autism.
Taking part in autism-specific service provider Aspect’s annual fundraiser campaign Walk for Autism, Jennifer McLean is hoping to raise awareness and funds for Aspect and autism research.
The campaign calls on individuals, families, workplaces and schools to walk, raise funds for Aspect, and help promote a more autism-friendly world – with 70 per cent of autistic Australians experiencing mental health challenges.
Ms McLean said she knew nothing about autism until last year, and the more that she learnt about it, the more she started to relate to what she was learning.
“I went through the diagnosis process and received my official diagnosis … in looking for support I came across the charity and the fundraising that they were doing, so I just wanted to get involved and really do my part to give back to the community,” Ms McLean said.
“There’s still a lot of misconceptions about autism, and the variety of ways that it shows up for people. So, I really hope that we can allow people to be understood and accepted … one of the shocking things that I learned was that autistic people are six times more likely to be unemployed and we also have higher rates of homelessness, violence, social exclusion and depression.”
She said donations can be made on her fundraising web page, and “every dollar helps create a world where autistic people feel seen, supported, and valued.”
Details: walkforautism.org.au/fundraisers/jennifermclean63558
