World Autism Awareness Day 2018

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April is Autism Awareness Month and today (April 2) is World Autism Awareness DAY. This month is a global movement to help increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism — across the spectrum and throughout the life span.

World Autism Awareness Day, sanctioned by the United Nations, starts off the month with signature events including Autism Speaks‘ ninth annual Light it Up Blue campaign. The goal during the month of April is to amplify the message: increasing understanding and acceptance of children, adults and families worldwide who are affected by ASD (autism spectrum disorder).

Autism affects each person differently, and what you see is often just a piece of the full picture, or a piece of the puzzle. Behind each face is a story of challenges, abilities and strengths. These stories are at the heart of Autism Speaks‘ new global campaign, GET THE FULL PICTURE. Together these stories, along with photos, videos, events and a new public service campaign, create a fuller picture of the many things AUTISM is.

I didn’t choose this journey, but have learned to embrace that it has chosen me. Today (and every day), I salute you my daughter : Arizona Ray Lovell. May your voice, spirit and essence continue to shine bright — without edit, permission or filter. You are perfect, whole and complete, exactly as YOU are. Mommy loves YOU.