This guest essay is by Ella Basatemur. Ella Basatemur is a Business Management student who is passionate about serving others through faith, compassion, and leadership. As a Christian, she believes every person is created in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. She hopes to use her education to make a positive difference in her community while encouraging others to persevere through life's challenges.
When people hear the word autism, they often picture a diagnosis before they picture a person. For much of my life, I worried that people would only see my differences instead of seeing who I really am. Growing up, I sometimes felt like I had to work harder than everyone else to understand social situations, communicate, or fit in. There were moments when I felt misunderstood or like I didn't quite belong. Those experiences weren't easy, but looking back, I can honestly say they helped shape me into the person I am today. Autism is part of my story, but it is not the whole story. It has never defined my worth, my purpose, or what I am capable of accomplishing.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that my identity is not found in a diagnosis. My identity is found in Jesus Christ. My Christian faith has been the foundation that has carried me through challenges, uncertainty, and seasons of self-doubt. Psalm 139 reminds us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made," and that verse has become a reminder that God doesn't make mistakes. He created each of us with purpose, including our strengths, weaknesses, and unique abilities. While the world may sometimes focus on labels, God looks at the heart. Knowing that my worth comes from Him has given me confidence to keep moving forward, even when life has been difficult.
Living with autism has taught me perseverance. There have been times when I needed extra patience with myself or had to find different ways to overcome obstacles. Instead of allowing those challenges to stop me, I chose to keep going. One of my proudest accomplishments has been earning my associate degree and continuing my education toward a bachelor's degree in Business Management. There were moments when balancing school and life felt overwhelming, but I refused to quit. Every class I completed reminded me that success isn't always about moving the fastest—it's about staying committed even when the journey is difficult.
Autism has also given me something I deeply value: empathy. Because I know what it feels like to struggle or to feel misunderstood, I naturally want to encourage and support others. I understand that every person is fighting battles that may not be visible on the outside. Whether someone is living with a disability, facing personal hardships, or simply feeling alone, everyone deserves kindness, respect, and compassion. I believe making a difference often starts with small actions—listening to someone who needs to be heard, offering encouragement, or simply treating others with dignity. Those moments may seem small, but they can leave a lasting impact on someone's life.
As I continue my education, my goal is to use my future career to serve others with integrity, honesty, and compassion. Business is about more than numbers and profits; it's about people. I hope to become a leader who treats employees, customers, and my community with fairness and respect. I want to lead by example, making decisions that reflect strong moral values and a genuine desire to help others succeed. I believe that true leadership means serving people well and leaving every place better than you found it.
Receiving the Making a Difference Scholarship would not only help me continue my education, but it would also remind me that my story can encourage others. I hope that young people growing up with autism will know they are capable of achieving their goals. Challenges may make the journey more difficult, but they do not make success impossible. Every obstacle can become an opportunity to grow stronger, wiser, and more compassionate.
If there is one message I hope others take away from my story, it is this: we are all more than the labels placed on us. Autism is part of who I am, but it is not who I am. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a student, a future business professional, and someone who believes that every person has God-given value and purpose. My experiences have taught me perseverance, strengthened my faith, and given me a heart for serving others. I am grateful for the journey God has placed before me, and I look forward to using both my education and my experiences to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
That is why the title of this essay is More Than My Diagnosis. My diagnosis has shaped my journey, but it has never determined my destination. Through faith, hard work, and perseverance, I have learned that my greatest strength is not overcoming autism; it is choosing every day to trust God, keep moving forward, and use my life to serve others. I hope to continue living out that purpose wherever God leads me.
This essay was submitted to the KFM Making a Difference scholarship program, founded by Dr. Kerry Magro to support autistic students pursuing postsecondary education. Publication does not announce a scholarship award.
