Walk for AUTISM: How I spent my World Autism Awareness Day 2016

What a day it was today!!! I joined a host of people for the #CompassionUnboxed Walk for Autism in Lagos, Nigeria. We walked from the Guaranty Trust Bank at Town Planning bus stop, Ilupeju to Jibowu Bridge and back. We stopped to share flyers to other passers-by; those walking, driving in their cars, even passengers in public buses were not left out. We also had the opportunity to speak with some of the people about autism.

What was strange to me was how some of the people we spoke with had never heard the word “Autism” before. What?! In the City of Lagos?! It was quite strange because someone, that also joined the walk, had said “people in Lagos already know autism, we should go to the rural areas or at least the suburbs”. Apparently, autism awareness in Lagos is definitely not complete; we still have a lot to do.

The walk was exhausting, but it was so much fun. It was so good to see people in the Nigerian autism community come together for a cause. It was also good to see people that are not related to anybody on the spectrum, either as family or as professionals, show their support by joining us to walk and create awareness.

I do not have many pictures to share, but I’ll share the few that I have. When I get other pictures from other participants, I hope I will be able to share more pictures.


                                               

This caption welcomed me to the meeting ground, GTB Ilupeju

                                                  

It was really awesome seeing these ladies, Onome Asuruka and Bukola Shobanjo

                                                 

Mr Emmanuel Taiwo saw my tweet about the walk and showed up. Is that not awesome?

                                     

Participants at the Bank

                                                                  

Nikki Laoye performed after we returned from the walk, and some participants joined her in the dance

Thank you GTBank , Patrick Speech and Languages Center, TLP Center, Children Development Center for bringing us together

Happy World Autism Awareness Day!