I was diagnosed with high functioning autism at age 4 in December 1994. The doctors told my mother not to expect much from me at the young age I was (even told me I wouldn't develop muscle tone). With the help of Christ, as well as many other great sources of support including my father, grandmother, other close friends and loved ones, my mother went above and beyond to fit me into society (sometimes against my own wishes).
I was initially placed in Special Education under Pam Davenport in 1996, but her and my mother discovered that I was picking up on other children's behaviors and cues which led to their decision to place me in mainstream classes instead. Honestly, I believe elementary school was where I struggled the most in social aspect. No matter what happened, my mother and I fought through the difficulties associated with life. She exposed me to various types of activities which included, but not limited to Cub Scouts, Christmas Plays, Youth Group, Boy Scouts. Throughout Elementary School I was on the honor roll and even won the Spelling Bee in 3rd grade.
In High School , life got a little better for me on the social spectrum as well as learning about life itself. While students took their time to accept me for who I was, it didn't stop me from getting involved with such activities as Beta Club, Track and Field, Prom, FFA, and many other various activities. All throughout High school and Middle school, I won many honors including highest grades in such classes as English, Math, History, Spanish, etc.
I am currently 24 years of age attending graduate school at Eastern Kentucky University for a Master's degree in Network Security Management. At this point, I have a Bachelor's Degree Cum Laude in Network Security and Electronics, work 3 part time jobs as a tutor, note-taker, and computer technician, and have once interned at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center earning an ambassadorship among them. I don't let autism define me, I let who I am define my life!
Danville, KY
