Sign up for our Boston Marathon newsletter
Get Boston Marathon registration information, start times, live runner tracking, road closures, live updates from race day, special features, and more.
This speech-language therapist is running Boston to fund autism support services
"Autism can be so misunderstood, and I appreciate this chance to spread understanding, acceptance, and opportunity."
In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.
Name: Carrie Kerstein
Age: 40
From: Cambridge
I am honored to to run for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism to support their mission to empower autistic people and their families. As a pediatric speech-language therapist, I work closely with autistic children and their caregivers to achieve their goals of meaningful, joyful, fulfilling communication. I am so grateful for the opportunity to connect this professional work that I love with my passion for running!
I never thought I’d be able to run the Boston Marathon, but this dream became more real after running my first marathon in fall 2024, fulfilling a promise my childhood best friend and I made to one another to run a marathon together before we turned 40.
Advertisement:
One of the many ways the Flutie Foundation supports autistic people and their families is through funding to access vital support services including speech-language therapy. Just as the children at my practice are working little by little to reach bigger goals, I work in parallel to them as I run farther and stronger and fundraise for this important cause.
Through this marathon, I hope to contribute to a world where everyone with autism is included, respected, and can actively participate in their community. Autism can be so misunderstood, and I appreciate this chance to spread understanding, acceptance, and opportunity.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com