This guest post is by Laila LaPierre, an autistic community college student who will graduate from Seminole State College in May 2026 before transferring to the University of Central Florida to study legal studies. Laila plans to pursue law and advocate for people whose voices are too often overlooked. She is applying for the Spring 2026 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship through KFM Making a Difference, the nonprofit founded by Kerry Magro. Kerry was nonspeaking until age 2.5 and was diagnosed with autism at 4.
Autistics on Autism: The Next Chapter shares stories from more than 100 autistic adults about what helped them while growing up and pursuing their dreams. All proceeds support KFM Making a Difference initiatives, including this scholarship program. To invite Kerry to speak at your school, company, or organization, submit an inquiry here.
My name is Laila LaPierre. I have found my way through the obstacles in my life and discovered how to use those experiences to advocate for others. I want to pursue a career in civil law and help other people’s voices be heard.
My name is Laila LaPierre, and this scholarship will help make my dream of becoming a lawyer a reality. Growing up, I never thought I would have the opportunity to go to college. Much of that came from a lack of self-confidence and from the belief that I might not have a future. As a woman of color, I have also had to navigate a world where people often make assumptions before getting to know me. There have been times when I felt underestimated, overlooked, or expected to be less capable because of both my identity and the invisible challenges I was facing. Those experiences have shaped me deeply and strengthened my desire to fight for people whose voices are too often ignored.
I have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which has presented significant sensory challenges throughout my life. During high school, overlapping health challenges required intensive treatment and affected nearly every aspect of my adolescence.
I received my GED diploma in 2024. If life had unfolded differently, I would have loved to attend high school in the traditional sense. I often envied those who had that opportunity and imagined how different my path might have looked. I believe I would have participated in dual enrollment, graduated with both my high school diploma and my AA degree, and perhaps even qualified for scholarships like Bright Futures. But high school was simply not in the cards for me. Serious health challenges made consistent attendance impossible, and I spent much of those years in treatment, including some time away from home.
Losing those high school years was heartbreaking. It felt like I was watching everyone else move forward while I was simply trying to survive. There were many moments when I felt behind, isolated, and unsure if I would ever be able to build the future I wanted. As a young woman of color already trying to find my place in the world, those feelings were even heavier. I often felt like I had to work twice as hard just to prove to myself—and sometimes to others—that I was still worthy of success, even if my path looked different.
Now, being in the last semester of my AA degree feels surreal. I am astonished and incredibly proud of myself for learning how to cope with the challenges I faced. What once felt impossible has slowly become my reality. Every class I complete, every shift I work, and every step I take toward my future is proof that I am stronger than the obstacles I have faced.
After this semester, I hope to continue my education and obtain my bachelor’s degree in legal studies. This scholarship would help me achieve that dream. After earning my bachelor’s degree, I hope to begin working in the legal field and eventually attend law school. My goal is to work for a nonprofit organization helping people who are facing injustice and do not always have the resources or support to advocate for themselves. I am especially passionate about immigration law because I understand firsthand how difficult it can be to be part of an immigrant family. My grandparents immigrated to America when my mother was just one year old, and they had almost nothing to their name. My grandparents met in India, but my mother was born in Tanzania, Africa, where she and her older sister spent the beginning of their lives. They were forced to leave because of political unrest and revolution, but they also came seeking a better education and greater opportunities for their children and future generations.
Their story is the foundation of my own. As the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants, and as a woman of color, I understand how important representation, fairness, and dignity are in systems that can often feel intimidating or inaccessible. I want to become the kind of lawyer who helps families feel seen, protected, and empowered during some of the hardest moments of their lives.
In conclusion, I hope to one day represent immigrants who come to America seeking safety, stability, and the opportunity for a better future. I believe all people deserve to be treated fairly and with compassion. The ability to help even one family feel safe and represented in this country would mean the world to me. It would make the sacrifices of my immigrant grandparents—and the struggles I have faced with my health, education, and identity—worthwhile.
As you have just read about the importance of continuing my education, I must also be able to afford it before this dream can become a reality. I have been paying for my education entirely out of my own pocket since I started college. I worked at Steak ’n Shake for over two years and am currently employed at both Einstein Bros. Bagels and Seminole Scuba in order to afford tuition and other expenses.
At the moment, I work four days a week and attend school two days a week, while using Mondays to catch up on schoolwork. Balancing school, work, and the pressure of financing my future has been difficult, but I remain committed because I know how much this education means for my future and for the impact I hope to make in the world.
This scholarship would relieve a significant financial burden and allow me to dedicate more time and energy to my academics.
By Laila LaPierre
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also autistic, founded KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help autistic students receive scholarship support for post-secondary education. Help us continue this work by making a tax-deductible donation here.
You can also invite Kerry to speak at your next event by submitting an inquiry here. Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofits, parent groups, and conferences on autism, employment, college success, mental health, inclusion, and bullying prevention.
