I believe Sabrina Shukri was the first friend I made at Apple when I joined in 2001. A few years later, she moved to Australia where she’s raising her family. Sabrina writes of her elder son, Kai:

Kai is nearly 14 and profoundly autistic. Many of the things we take for granted - getting dressed, brushing his hair, putting on his shoes - are things he still needs support to do. He also finds it very hard to tell me what he wants or needs.

Like any parent, I dream of the simple moments. I crave the day he might tell me about his day… or say “I love you.”

Sabrina, Kai’s younger brother Remy, and their friends are fundraising for Giant Steps, the school Kai attends, by climbing the 1,240 steps of the Rialto in Melbourne.

Sabrina explains how Giant Steps is helping Kai:

[…] they are doing incredible work to help him build communication skills and learn to do more things on his own. Their support means everything to families like ours.

And here’s eleven-year-old Remy, the team leader of “Remys Crew Climb”:

Giant Steps helps Kai learn skills to be more independent and confident. The teachers there are patient, kind, and they never give up on him.

That’s why my friends, my mum and I decided to take on this climb - to help Kai and other kids like him get the support they need.

(In his enthusiasm, Remy made a deal to climb the stairs twice if he reaches his fundraising goal and three times if he doubles it.)

The mission of Giant Steps is “to develop intensive therapeutic and educational programs to ensure that each child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.” It was established to bring the “world’s best practice in the education and support of autistic children to Australia.”

It’s been many years since Sabrina and I last spoke (and I’ve never met her boys), but she was an important part of my early life at Apple, so I’m proudly contributing to her fundraising efforts.

“Remys Crew Climb” has raised $1,933 of $3,000 so far. Remy’s personal goal is to raise $500 and Sabrina’s goal is $1,500. I would love to see them reach those goals.

I’ll give Sabrina the last word:

If you’re able to help, your donation will support Giant Steps to continue helping Kai and other children who are profoundly autistic - and the families who walk this journey alongside them.

Thank you for your kindness and support. 💙