This guest post is by Michael Simmons, a young man on the autism spectrum who was accepted into Montgomery Community College. Michael is applying for the Spring 2021 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference started by me, Kerry Magro. I was nonverbal till 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4 and you can read more about my organization here.
I hope you can support my nonprofit like I’m trying to support these students with scholarship aid for college. Learn more on how you can help our cause with a small donation (just asking for $3 today, equal to your daily cup of coffee) here.
When I was in elementary school, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Later in High School, I was also diagnosed with Asperger’s. I struggle to focus. I also have a difficult time processing emotions and building relationships. Learning how to talk to people has been a big struggle. I have participated in various social groups but I still have a hard time talking to people. I have always needed help with communicating with my fellow peers. Having ADHD, I also have a lot of energy and feel like I need to run or move all the time. Sometimes having a large amount of energy can overwhelm others, making it harder for others to relate to me.
I am a twin, I also know that my differences have affected my sister, she often feels like she has to defend or protect me from others when they don’t understand the things I do. The impact my disability has on my parents financially is that my parents have sacrificed a lot financially to find programs and activities to help me overcome my challenges. They have limited resources but have used what they could to help me be independent. I have applied to several schools that accept students with ADHD and Asperger’s’ but the cost of those schools even with financial aid is a burden on my parents; Especially since both my sister and I are graduating school the same year. I want to help them someday the way they have helped me.
Despite my struggles and our financial hardships, my family always encourages me to try new things and never give up. My mom always tells this story about how I used to be terrified of the Monkey Bars at the playground. When all the kids on the playground, including my sister, would rush to the top I always stayed on the first tier of the bars. I would cry and tremble if she tried to put me at the top. I would stay frozen on the bottom bar while everyone passed me. I did not care, I waited until they left to go on the swings or the slide. I did not care, I would crawl and inch my way to the next level, and then I would stop. I always knew my limit. But, my mom encouraged me to never give up, and slowly but surely on my own time eventually after a few years I climbed to the top of the Monkey Bars. My mom was proud of me because I never gave up. I was not afraid anymore.
She says that is how I approach life. I take one step at a time, never giving up until I reach the top. I look at my challenge of speaking to people like my new “Monkey Bars”. I will not give up, until I can be comfortable talking to others. I still have a long way to go. I still panic when I look at people in the face, I look down rather than up. But, I am getting better. I speak to people more often. I call friends and family to see how they are doing. When I overcome my anxiety, I have actually led class discussions. I know I will overcome this challenge in my own time with continued practice. I will not give up until I reach the top!
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My name is Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum that started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue a post-secondary education. Help support me so I can continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
