This is Emma McEwen (39) with her son Finn (5). Finn is an energetic boy whose eyes say a million words in a single gaze. Finn also has autism, and attends The Inspire Foundation where he follows a specialised programme that helps him not only to cope but also thrive. Ever since Finn started his programme, Emma has seen lots of improvement in her son, and believes that Inspire truly helps him achieve his full potential.

Thanks to Inspire’s specialised programme, I’ve seen Finn progress in leaps and bounds. He’s happy and is doing very well. The programme is heavily subsidised with a lot of it being paid through fundraising efforts that Inspire embark on. If this wasn’t the case it would cost an arm and a leg, and would be an additional weight on parents’ shoulders. Seeing what a lot the foundation is doing for our son, I thought that walking the marathon in aid of this cause is the least I could do to help the organistion that’s been so crucial for my son’s development.

This is the third time that I’ll be taking part in the Walkathon. It’s an amazing event. Everyone is so upbeat. People are excited, raising money, bumping into friends they haven’t seen for ages let alone done any sport with, and running on roads that are normally restricted to cars. In the past few years, the weather has also been amazing, and this year it is going to be extra special as Inspire is the event’s official charity.

At the moment I am training with a group of friends. Instead of catching up over a drink we are chatting and walking. The hardest part is heaving myself out of a warm, cosy home in the dark to train in drizzle and wind. But, knowing that I’m doing this for Inspire and ultimately for my son, gives me that extra injection of motivation. Also, taking part in the walkathon is a great impetus for getting out and losing those extra Christmas kilos.

My advice to other parents is to totally embrace whatever it is that their child really loves

We’ve been training two to three times a week since the beginning of the year. We have to train in the evening due to work and family obligations, but our partners have been extremely supportive juggling their own commitments to enable us to train.

Throughout this adventure I’ve been so pleasantly surprised by people’s generosity. So many have been absolutely amazing. Friends, people who have taught my son in his mainstream school and others whom I haven’t seen in years, have joined in our training in the wind and rain in order to support this cause.

My advice to other parents is to totally embrace whatever it is that their child really loves. It doesn’t necessarily mean additional time helping with their maths, but it could be going swimming when it’s cold and raining, jumping in muddy puddles or helping them make their omelette for lunch.

I dream of a future society that will embrace people of different physical and different developmental abilities.

A society that is willing to learn about differences and proactively includes every individual in the playground, in education and in the workplace; a society that looks past a medical label and values unique abilities.

What is autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterised, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviours.

ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor co-ordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some people with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.

How does the Inspire foundation help?

Support, which is either free or heavily subsidised, is offered at the Inspire Education Centre and also reaches out to the mainstream schools and the family environment in order to achieve full inclusion in the society.

Inspire offers two programmes that are specifically designed to help people on the autism spectrum reach their full potential.

Step – autism early intervention programme

The Structured Training and Education Programme (Step) is a specialised programme for children and adolescents within the autistic spectrum.

Step aims to provide assistance and support to ensure full inclusion at school and within the community.

Style – autism teens

Specialised Training for Lifestyle Enhancement (Style) focuses on youngsters enrolled in the ASD programmes.

Participants are encouraged to engage in activities favoured by typically developing peers. The programme is that it allows members of the Inspire team to monitor students’ performance at school, as well as to conduct peer preparation programmes in order to educate classmates about autism.