This guest post is by Brayden Reeves, a young man on the autism spectrum who has been accepted and will be attending McMurry University where he is majoring in video game design. Brayden is applying for the Spring 2019 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference. You can read more about the organization and how to apply for our scholarship here. You can help our scholarship program continue to help these students by making a donation to our scholarship fund here (the majority of our scholarship program is ran through donors from our community such as yourself so no matter if you could donate anything, whether it be $5 anywhere up to $5,000 it would be making a difference!).
My name is Brayden Reeves and three months ago the path to my future changed! I was going to attend a junior college until my dream of swimming for the NCAA came true. The journey has not been an easy one but I never gave up and I’m so glad I didn’t.
I received my autistic diagnosis at the age of four. And because I was not ready for kindergarten my mom had me attend TCU speech clinic and PPCD for 1 year. I attended public school through the fifth grade. However, public school was not a fit for me as they were puzzled on how to help me learn the way I could. My elementary school never challenged me. They dummied down the schoolwork as if I needed it. My friends would get 20 words on a spelling test but they would only give me 10. I knew them all! They had me reading the “The Three Little Pigs” in the 5th grade not having me read to my potential. My mom constantly attended meetings asking them time after time to push me to climb “Mount Everest” and not continue to play in the sandbox.
At the end of my elementary career, my mom, being a social worker began to look for a school for children with learning differences. It was called Hill School. This was a specialized school and was very expensive. She is a single parent who has sacrificed her savings in order for me to get the best education. This school not only offers an outstanding education but also offers sports, drama, music, and technology. I’ve tried many sports. They weren’t physically demanding but were mentally demanding. When you have autism you go through many periods of sensory overload.
Swimming has truly been my life saver. Swimming by far gave me a sense of purpose and was quite calming. There was one drawback with Hill School however. They did not have a swim team. Our school delegation did not offer it. But my mom and I did not give up hope on my dream. I became the “The Lone Swimmer”. My mom contacted the local public high school coach and told him about my situation. For the last four years he has allowed me to practice with his swim team. We also contacted private schools and received their swim meet schedules. My meets consisted of 5 public school meets and 5 private school meets. But I swam under the title of my school, Hill School of Fort Worth. I represented my school proudly. Above all, I love competing in swimming the most. I get up at 4:50 am and swim 2 hours every morning before school even starts. I take my sport very seriously. I continue to work hard so that I can be the best swimmer that I can be. This year was my best year ever. I have beaten many of my records and also competed with 5A schools and won.
One day, a recruiter from McMurry University came to my school and asked if I would like to swim for them. It’s a D3 school and doesn’t offer athletic scholarships but I could not pass this opportunity up. It’s what I wanted to do since I was 7 years old.
Swimming is one of my passions. But I also have another passion that is dear to my heart and that is information technology and helping students with disabilities find their calling. I look forward to the opportunity to improve on technology for video games for those with learning differences. I have thoughts about creating a sort of “starter-kit”. Start at ground zero on letting a person learn basic gaming knowledge geared for decreasing sensory overload. As they improve and can tolerant the game, they move up to the next set. This gives the person with sensory overload the ability to improve at their own pace. There could be many starter kit idea possibilities. They could be based on a child’s interest, hobbies, and their intellectual strengths. These starter kits could even assist therapists, schools, hospitals, clinics, and colleges. In my short 18 years, I have gone through hours and hours of therapy, tutoring and sensory overload. I want to help the generation after me so they don’t have to go through all those struggles. Technology has a way to connect with kids who have disabilities and I want to be part of that bright light.
I encourage students with disabilities to find their passion whether it be movies, comics, a video game, or even a sport. I plan on being the next Michael Phelps while changing the lives of our future superheroes.
Follow Kerry’s journey on Facebook, his Facebook Fan Page, & Instagram!
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue a post-secondary education. Help us continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
Also, consider having Kerry, one of the only professionally accredited speakers on the spectrum in the country, speak at your next event by sending him an inquiry here. If you have a referral for someone who many want him to speak please reach out as well! Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofit organizations, parent groups and other special events on topics ranging from employment, how to succeed in college with a learning disability, internal communication, living with autism, bullying prevention, social media best practices, innovation, presentation best practices and much more!
We’d also appreciate if you could take a minute to create a Facebook Fundraiser to support our nonprofit’s scholarship fund! You can learn more about how you can do just that here.
Brayden is an inspiration to all college-bound students. His enthusiasm for life and pursuing his goals, shows that obstacles do not stop those who are committed to a positive outcome. His willingness to help others is so apparent and a trait that will stay with him forever. We wish him all the best! Brayden would be a perfect recipient for the Make a Difference Austin’s scholarship.
What a great success story he is! I don’t doubt he will continue to do great things! Way to go Brayden!
I have had the good fortune to meet and spend a little time with Brayden on several occasions. We first met when he was about 3 or 4 y/o. A good kid. On the occasions when I would visit him and his mother, Brayden was always courteous and respectful. Yes sir, no sir. Thank you. He never lacked for something to talk about. A very thoughtful and engaging young man. Also, I can not ever remember Brayden without a smile on his face. When his mother, whom I have known for more than 30 years, would brag about Brayden doing this or that, and how well he did those things, she was not embellishing. She had all the evidence to back up Brayden’s achievements. If ever there were a better mother than Brayden’s, I can not imagine. She is the driving force behind the boy. Her dedication to Brayden has NEVER wavered. Her persistence to instill in Brayden the confidence that he could do anything he set his mind to is nothing less than amazing. So, when I get a text from Brayden’s mother that a university wanted Brayden to swim for them, was I surprised? Nope. With Brayden’s desire to swim and his mother’s desire to see her boy achieve his dreams, I can not see anything but good things for the boy. I am certain he will do well. I wish Brayden the best in all his endeavors.
Congratulations!
Really cool story man, you’re gonna do great in college!
So inspirational to read how with hard work and dedication anything is achievable. Congratulations Brayden you’re going to do amazing in college and get to live your dreams!
Good luck, Brayden!
Brayden, you are a sensational individual and I am impressed and encouraged by your journey and future plans. Good luck in all you do and have a fantastic college experience!!
Fantastic article and an inspiration to kids on the spectrum and their caregivers. Your story and success will inspire parents to prioritize their kid’s education, thank you for writing!!!
Awesome work, Brayden! You should be so proud of your scholarship and accomplishments thus far. I think it’s great that you want to give back to the next generations with your ‘starter-kits’. What a great idea!
Brandon is very well mannered and smart young man he has a plan and is sticking to it. So proud of him and his achievements and wanting to better things for others.
Give this amazing young man a scholarship, Kerry Magro! He is an inspiration to all and so deserving.
This is my next door neighbor. I’ve witnessed his growth over the past few years. This kid is going places and I can’t wait to see him soar!!!
Truly enjoyed reading your inspiring story, Brayden! I love that you are always challenging yourself and want to help others. You would be the perfect recipient for the Make a Difference Autism Scholarship!
I am very touched by Braden Reeves’ story. What a fabulous example of chasing a dream, overcoming obstscles, and succeeding. Congrats Braden!
Truly enjoyed reading your story, Brayden! I love that you are always challenging yourself and want to help others. You would be the perfect recipient for the Make a Wish Autism Scholarship!
I have had the pleasure of knowing Brayden Reeves as a young boy.He has reached for the stars and is very determined in every thing he does.Brayden has had to work thru a lot of barriers in his life and proves it can be done.Brayden is a very friendly young man with a smile on his face for ever one he sees.He has done well in his school work.Has held down a job.Brayden has a drivers liicensce and his own truck.Brayden has gotten up early to attend his swim meets and loves swimming with a passion.I am beyond thrilled to hear he will be able to attend College and I know this young man will do well.Brayden has a Mom that has been there all the way for him and he knows how much she has been there for him.He is a pleasure to be around and realizes he has a disability and handles it so well.I work in the Education field and to see this young Man setting goals and making his goals happen is so near and dear to my heart.Given the chance Brayden will be a sucessful young Adult.
Brayden is a wonderful young man. Every opportunity that comes his way he grabs it.good luck Brayden.
Brayden has come a long way. He’s worked very hard. He is polite and caring.
I love this essay by Braden Reeves. You can tell that he has a heart for others and is very caring. He has worked hard (and it sounds like his mom has too) and it’s exciting that he’s getting to attend college! I definitely think he deserves this scholarship.
I love his dream. He has shown that no matter your disabilty is, they can do it.
Braden is a very special young man and all who know him are very proud of him.
Brayden is my cousin!! He deserves everything and more. He is the most amazing person ever.
Wow! This young man is amazing. Give him a scholarship, Kerry Margo! He sounds ready to change the world.