If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be getting on a plane to fly to Scotland, I would have laughed and told you there was absolutely no chance.
Flying has always been one of my biggest fears. The thought of stepping onto an aircraft was enough to fill me with anxiety, and for a long time ( 22 years to be exact) I allowed that fear to decide where I could go and what I could achieve.
But sometimes, your purpose becomes bigger than your fear.
This week, I flew , with the support of my eldest, travel loving son, to Edinburgh to donate our neurodivergency programme Awesome Archie’s Connection Club to Royal Mile Primary School—becoming the first school in Scotland to receive it.
When I sat down and thought about why this trip mattered so much, I realised it wasn’t just about delivering a programme. It was about continuing a mission that has become such a huge part of my life.
I wrote this programme because I believe neurodivergent children deserve to be understood, accepted and celebrated in mainstream schools. Now, more than ever, autistic students are being let down by a system not designed to support them and that is NOT the schools fault. Too many children spend their school years feeling like they have to change who they are just to fit in. I want every child to know they are enough exactly as they are.
Every programme we sell ( through my small business Neurocreative Media) helps us reach more schools, but every now and then we choose to gift our work to a school that we feel will truly embrace its message. It’s our way of giving something back and spreading a little more understanding, kindness and acceptance.
As I looked at the map, I realised there was one part of the UK we hadn’t yet reached.
Scotland.
It didn’t sit right with me that our message of autism love, acceptance and support hadn’t crossed the border yet. Inclusion shouldn’t have boundaries. So we decided it was time.
That decision meant facing something I’d avoided for years.
Getting on that plane wasn’t easy. There were moments when every part of me wanted to stay safely on the ground. But I kept reminding myself why I was doing it. If I ask children to be brave enough to be themselves every day, then surely I could be brave enough to take two short flights?!
And I’m so glad I did.
Sharing our programme and knowing that another school is now equipped to better support its neurodivergent pupils made every anxious moment worthwhile.
But this trip became so much more than work.
I got to experience Edinburgh alongside my son, and those memories are something I’ll treasure forever. We wandered through the beautiful streets, admired the incredible history and architecture, explored together, laughed together and simply enjoyed being in such an amazing city. Watching the excitement through his eyes reminded me that sometimes the best adventures begin just outside our comfort zone.
Looking back now, I don’t just see a plane journey. I see growth, I see courage and yet another step towards building a world where neurodivergent children are met with understanding instead of misunderstanding, acceptance instead of judgement, and support instead of barriers.
If overcoming one fear means helping even one more child feel seen, then I’ll take that journey every single time….I just need a bit of recovery time first 😉
Scotland, thank you for welcoming us so warmly.
Here’s to many more schools, many more conversations, and many more children growing up knowing that being “different” isn’t something to hide—it’s something to celebrate and share proudly with the world.
