Woman with Asperger’s Cycles 100 Miles for Awareness
In an effort to raise awareness for the autism community, a 47-year-old woman with Asperger’s has cycled more than 100 miles to raise money for the National Autistic Society.
Mayor of Worcester Paul Denham, said Louisa Summer was “truly inspirational and deserves public recognition.” Miss Summer, who lives near Shrub Hill, Worcester, set off from Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier on Friday (July 1) and made it back to Worcester the following day. She had hoped to raise €500 for the charity and is now only €53 from her target thanks to online and offline donations.
Summer, who has been a keen bicyclist since childhood, said: “My friends and family just couldn’t believe the achievement I have done.” She also clarified, “I decided to take on this challenge because I am autistic, and not many people understand what it’s like.”
“I only used main road between Bristol and Tewkesbury then country lanes to Worcester… It took two days because I cycled through the country lanes from Weston-super-Mare after Weston Milton.”
This would not be her first time biking long-distance. A year ago, Louisa cycled in the opposite direction, from Worcester to Weston-super-Mare, raising nearly €700 in donations along the way.
Denham presented Louisa with a certificate in recognition for her efforts. “Louisa has a fantastic independent spirit and real drive—her one hundred mile cycle is truly inspirational and deserves public recognition.”
If you want to learn more or to donate to the National Autistic Society via Louisa’s online page, visit here.
This piece is based on an article by WorcesterNews.com which can be found here.
Michael Capone was born in Long Island, New York and now lives in south Florida. He graduated in 2012 from Fort Lauderdale Preparatory School and is now pursuing new avenues of knowledge in neurodiversity.