My name is Michael Precourt. I'm 20 years old and a senior at Florida Atlantic University. I did dual-enrollment in high school in Orlando and got my Associate's degree there. I currently work for the university as a desk assistant in a freshman residence hall, and review movies for the Autism Channel. My personal goal in life is to become a Hollywood film director on the same level of conversation as Steven Spielberg, and the one actress I want to work with the most is Jennifer Lawrence because she is such a sweetheart.
For most of my early life, my parents kept me in the dark about what Autism is, let alone the fact that I have it. Yes, I said "have", even though people have said that I'm "cured", the use of said word I find very offensive. Once I found out that I was on the Autism spectrum, specifically having what you would call "Aspergers", I began noticing it more in my friends Alberto, Drew, and Josh, who also have Aspergers, as well as examining others on the spectrum. I do not see us as disabled. We just communicate differently, often ranging from mild stuttering (like myself, though I usually speak very fluidly) to an inability to speak at all. I see elements of genius in every one of us, and I hope that one day the world will accept us for who we are. Most of my family does, but they don't fully understand because they don't live the experience the way I do.
Autism has made me stronger than most people. I'm often described as being ambitious, persistent, and blunt. I don't like to beat around the bush. I would much rather seize my goals without backing down. I am not weak. There's so much I could talk about, but the word count won't let me. I ramble a lot, even when I type. My closing thought on this story to everyone, on and off the spectrum, is set high goals and never back down. You have a voice, so let the whole world hear it!
Boca Raton, FL