This guest post is by Jerron Higgins, a young man on the autism spectrum who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 11 and has been accepted to Alabama State University. Isaiah is applying for the Spring 2022 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. Autistics on Autism: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams, our nonprofit’s new book, was released on March 29, 2022, on Amazon here for our community to enjoy featuring the stories of 100 autistic adults.
My dream to become an actor in the field of theatre arts hasn’t come easy. Imagine having both the passion to make a difference in the world and sharing my talents to achieve it, is the reason I have decided to follow in the footsteps of the many successful actors and actresses who have been diagnosed with autism like Dan Aykroyd and Darryl Hannah . I have autism, but autism doesn’t define me.
Growing up as a child, I enjoyed watching movies in our DVR and just listening to the music while sitting in my living room. Sometimes I didn’t even need to watch the movie, the soundtrack was enough for me. I welcomed anything that I could roll in my hands that felt different yet pleasing to assist in my sensory motion. At that time, I didn’t understand why I did things differently than others, I just knew it made me special. Social conversations were sometimes uncomfortable because in my mind I knew what I wanted to say, but it didn’t always come out that way. Grateful that my mom noticed things that were slightly different and began to do her research on my behalf. My mother introduced me to Walker Scottish Rite Clinic to help with my speech impediment. Therapy helped me to converse. It helped me to grow and be productive at home, in the classroom and in social settings. It has not been an easy task, but it has been a great journey watching me evolve to someone people didn’t believe in because of my uniqueness. I found something good in this world that I held on to and that was the love of my family, support team and friends. Because of them I am growing to be the man I can be totally proud of representing myself and my family.
The most beneficial and pivotal moment of my life was when my friend introduced me to his step team, Gentlemen of Vision Rites of Passage Inc. The Gentlemen of Vision Rites of Passage Enterprises, Inc. is a community-based program to empower at-risk males to become leaders in their schools and communities through dedicated mentoring. GOV is currently servicing males from various school districts within the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. This has been a game changer in my life, not only for me personally but has helped me overcoming obstacles. I was taught that just because you have a disability we don’t use it as a crutch, yet is our bridge to see the world as others don’t and be able to communicate it in such a way that shows fairness and understanding.
Imagine it’s 7:00pm and the Gentlemen of Vision of St. Louis Step Team is in the back of Faith Church awaiting to perform at their “I Am Woman” conference. In front of me are 30 of my brothers at attention, who intend to put on an amazing performance for this packed event. We are next. Close your eyes and imagine the spoken word along with the rhythmic sounds of synchronized clapping and stomping: “Searching high”… stomp… “searching low”… body clapping… stomp, stomp… “and tell me what you see, one thing I know for sure you ain’t stepping with the G!”…. body clapping, stomp, stomp, stomp, body clapping, clapping, stomp, stomp “ahhhhh”. A standing ovation from the audience left us fulfilled and our presence felt. We have just shared our art of stepping. There’s an electric burst of magic in the sound of young men coming together in unity, brotherhood, and discipline. That magic while performing on stage is overwhelmingly magnetic. It’s in that magic, I want to pursue that feeling on stage and on the big screen for the rest of my life.
Though moments like this have reinforced my passion for acting, I have been an active member in the Gentlemen of Vision Rites of Passage since 7th grade, when my mother first introduced me to my very first step-show. I was a shy, quiet kid and the art of stepping allowed me experiences beyond my wildest dreams traveling all over the United States while building and maintaining relationships. Each week was spent practicing, mentoring and bonding with our team and mentors. The Gentlemen of Vision Rites of Passage is a three-tier program – 1st tier is the middle school component, Young Men of Vision, built on four core concepts: Academic Performance, Brotherhood, Community Service and Discipline; 2nd tier is the high school component, Gentlemen of Vision, encompasses four key components: Counseling, Academics, Mentoring and Programming; 3rd tier is the collegiate component which follows each member after high school while giving back to the program. I credit my mother for finding this mentoring program and my coach for helping me develop not only as a member of the organization, but in my last year as co-captain. The coaching and guidance throughout the years has helped me develop my sense of self personally, emotionally, and socially.
A seed has been planted within me that is maturing into an admiration for the arts. I have developed a natural flair to engage my artistic vision which has allowed me to gravitate towards performance theater that gives me a rush beyond measure. Understanding, embracing, and celebrating different ways of thinking has provided me the opportunity to work with and learn from the Center of Creative Arts in St. Louis, MO. The exposure is only the beginning as it is fruitful. From voice coaching to improv to being on stage has been exciting. In following my dreams, I recognize the commitment, dedication, and balance are just a few traits I need to have a successful career. My passion for the performing arts further let’s me know this is my calling to share my talents with the world.
Follow my journey on Facebook, my Facebook Fan Page, Tiktok, Youtube & Instagram,
My name is Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum. I started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue 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.
Autistics on Autism: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams was released on March 29, 2022 on Amazon here for our community to enjoy featuring the stories of 100 autistic adults. 100% of the proceeds from this book will go back to our nonprofit to support initiatives like our autism scholarship program. In addition, this autistic adult’s essay you just read will be featured in a future volume of this book as we plan on making this into a series of books on autistic adults.
