This guest post is by Carl who was accepted into Suny New Paltz. Carl is applying for the Spring 2026 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference started by me, Kerry Magro. I was nonspeaking till 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4 and you can read more about my organization here.
Autistics on Autism the Next Chapter: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams was released on Amazon on 3/25/25 and looks at the lives over 75 Autistic adults. 100% of the proceeds from this book will go back to supporting our nonprofits many initiatives, like this scholarship program. Check out the book here. Would you like me to travel to speak with your school or company on autism and inclusion? You can contact me here for more details.
My childhood was shaped by challenges that required resilience long before I understood what that word truly meant. While many children worried about homework or friendships, my family was navigating hospital visits, treatment schedules, and uncertainty as my sibling fought cancer. Cancer did not affect just one person in our household. It touched every part of our lives. From an early age, I learned how quickly life could change and how important strength and compassion are during hardship.
At the same time my family was coping with my sibling’s illness, I was diagnosed with ADHD. While that diagnosis explained some academic struggles, my mother sensed there was more. Her concerns about autism were often dismissed, and I grew up without a full understanding of my neurodivergence. I learned to adapt quietly while much of the focus understandably remained on my sibling’s health. I often put my own needs aside, not because they did not matter, but because survival felt like the priority for our family.
Growing up in a cancer family came with emotional and financial strain. Frequent medical appointments and treatment costs created constant stress. Emotionally, there was worry and exhaustion. Watching my sibling endure treatments with courage deeply shaped me. Their strength became my example. I learned perseverance even on the days when I felt invisible or overwhelmed.
Living with undiagnosed autism meant navigating school and social situations without the tools I needed. I struggled with focus, sensory overload, and communication, often masking my difficulties to fit in. Despite these challenges, I continued to push forward. Through trial and error, I learned how to cope, self-regulate, and succeed in environments that were not always designed for someone like me. These experiences strengthened my work ethic and deepened my empathy for others facing unseen struggles.
Receiving my autism diagnosis later in life was a turning point. For the first time, my experiences made sense. What once felt like personal shortcomings became differences I could understand and manage. With proper support, I gained clarity, confidence, and the ability to advocate for myself. My diagnosis did not limit me. It empowered me.
As I prepare to study Computer Science at SUNY New Paltz, I am motivated by a desire to build solutions that improve lives. College represents more than academic achievement. It is an opportunity to grow into the resilient, compassionate, and determined person my childhood prepared me to become.
This scholarship would ease the financial burden my family has carried for years and allow me to focus fully on my education. After growing up in the shadow of illness and uncertainty, I am ready to step forward with confidence, gratitude, and a commitment to making the most of every opportunity I am given.
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.
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum, founded the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship support to pursue post-secondary education. You can help us continue supporting autistic students by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
You can also consider having Kerry speak at your next event by submitting an inquiry here. Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofits, parent groups, and conferences on topics including autism, employment, college success, mental health, inclusion, and bullying prevention.
