London Marathon - Hannah for all the Hugos

London Marathon 2022 · 2 October 2022 ·
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As many of you know my son, Hugo has autism.
I have decided to run the London Marathon for Autism Hampshire to help raise much needed funds for them. They play a big part in the community.
I choose to run for Autism Hampshire because their vision is to create a better future for autistic people. There mission is to create opportunities, challenge perceptions, enhance choices and provide high quality services to meet the diverse needs of autistic people.
When my marriage broke down it brought much anxiety and I found fitness became a great way to destress and refocus. I wanted 2022 to be a positive year one to accomplish one of my lifetime goals - to run the marathon.
I knew very little about Autism before Hugo's diagnosis and I knew very little about kids before I had Hugo. I never even thought about kids until I was 30 and then I was desperate for one.
What is it like being a parent of a child with ASD?
Well firstly I am never bored, I am constantly broke mainly because I am paying for his therapy and I am constantly buying him shoes in the hope that he may like one pair enough to adopt them as school shoes instead of wearing his black trainers to school and every day. I have had to buy the trainers in every size I could get my hands on. Any other shoes he complains they are like baby shoes, are uncomfortable or they don't feel right and of course I have to remove the tags and cut off any labels before he will even try them on. The same is true of clothes!
Hugo dislikes any change in routine this includes what side of the road he wants the car parked on. The other day at school his PE lesson was interrupted because of some Bees, damn bees, which resulted in him being unsettled for the rest of the day.
Hugo dislikes loud noises which is the thing I find really confusing because he is loudest person I know.
Hugo has the most amazing imagination. His nursery teacher once told me she couldn't believe the structures he used to build. She was right and he builds amazing lego structures.
Hugo is a literal thinker. A while ago I asked him to put some toilet paper in the downstairs toilet and he put the toilet paper in the actual toilet. Well, he did what I asked him to do!
These are some of the characteristics of Hugo and challenges. There are many more and every ASD child and adult are different. Autism is extremely under funded and people need to be educated on it more.
Diagnosis
Hugo was diagnosed when he was 5 so a lot later than other children would normally be. This was because where we lived there were no health workers as there are in the UK and I had no idea that Hugo was behind in his development. Hugo was my only child and I didn't realise there was an issue until he wasn't talking at the age of three. People used to reassure me that boys develop slower than girls and not to worry. Hugo walked on his first birthday and his legs were exceptionally strong. He would constantly jump over furniture and climb up things.
We lived aboard until Hugo was 5 and he attended a private school where he was classed as a naughty child as they didn't understand his needs. When we returned to the UK, I found his new school a breath of fresh air. They understood his needs and constantly go above and beyond to ensure Hugo is happy and his needs are met. I no longer get daily calls as I did when I lived aboard to collect Hugo. He loves school and he is nurtured.
After Hugo was diagnosed I quickly ensured he had the right therapy and support in place for him at school. This therapy I had to do privately as the NHS waiting lists are so long. There are a lot of children who aren't having the therapy they need because they are on endless waiting lists.
This is just part of my story to reflect some of the challenges. 100% of the proceeds raised are going to Autism Hamphire to help some of these children and adults to give them proper support.
Any donation is appreciate.
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