Gail Watts author of Kevin Thinks  provides an update on how World Autism Awareness Day was marked in Melbourne, Australia. As you can see, Gail was joined by a very special guest on Amaze’s Walk in the Blue.

World Autism Awareness Day in Melbourne was perfect. Before the walk families were spilling into Alexandra Gardens, enjoying picnics and watching circus performers in the glorious sunshine. Many had the Amaze t-shirts on that said “Perfectly Different, Differently Perfect” making the gardens a sea of blue. When Kevin arrived he was greeted with a mixture of feelings from the children. Some were terrified, because he was so big, but eventually came around. Some immediately warmed to Kevin and lavished kisses and hugs on him. Kevin posed for photos with hundreds of children. Some were quite rough with him, but some gave him the gentlest of kisses on the hand or face. When it was time for the walk the crowd moved quietly off. There were thousands of people. There was no chanting or noise, just families walking respectfully together enjoying the atmosphere and the feeling of belonging to a group of people that can somewhat understand the challenges that each family may have. We might be ‘perfectly different’ but for one day we were as one together. The walk was a spectacular sight along the river. Kevin and I were excited and proud to be a part of such a heart warming and important day. Well done to Amaze for organising such a massive and beautiful event.

Gail Watts is the author of Kevin Thinks (2012) published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

To see more photos of Kevin’s walk follow this link and view our Facebook photo album ‘Kevin walks for WAAM’

Part of our celebration of World Autism Awareness Month 2013- see more posts on Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and related conditions.

 

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