Helen Keller, Ludwig Beethoven, Stephen Hawking. We honored these influential figures this week as a part of Inclusive Schools Week, a week dedicated to celebrating and acknowledging people with disabilities. But there’s another individual with disabilities that I’d like to tell you about – myself.
Every day I look at my surroundings and I realize how much my life has changed since I moved to Texas and came to Rouse. I am comforted every day, no matter how bad a day may seem, by how lucky I am to lead the life I lead today. When it comes down to it, I wouldn’t wish to be any other person than who I am right now. And who I am, who I really am, is a secret to most people. The people that know who I truly am are a select few which I have told in confidence; either because I was doubtful or ashamed.
As a child, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s, a disability that falls under the autism spectrum. I looked at my surroundings in a completely different way than the other kids my age. I was unsure how to properly communicate with people and could not perform simple tasks when asked to do so by teachers. From the age of nine, up to the time I turned 14, I was a student at a private school for children with autism in Culver City, Calif.
Amongst a couple hundred kids with many other forms of autism, I faced many difficulties. At first I struggled in reading, writing and how to successfully make friends. But, as the years progressed, I became better at completing assignments, reading, writing, and made friends more easily. I graduated as the valedictorian of my eighth grade class and knew I was destined for a brighter future.
In the middle of freshman year, I came to Rouse. At this school, I feel so blessed. From the beginning I found a love for theatre and made friends with so many amazing people. Now I am continuously supported by both my theatre and broadcast departments, and find a deep sense of pride and success for what I have achieved. I am supported by countless friends who like me for who I am and I have always received endless love from my family.
I have overcome many obstacles and am currently in my senior year, at the doorstep to my future. I am known by many people as the “RNN Guy” and would never think of my years at Rouse as a waste of time. For my future I want to become an actor, broadcaster and an advocate for children with autism. I thank everyone for helping me along the way.
And for anyone that did not know this secret, especially my friends, I want you to know that I didn’t tell you this not because I didn’t trust you: but because I lacked the confidence I have today to embrace who I am. Now, there are no more secrets between us, and I feel fantastic.
