This guest post is by Grant Manier, a young man on the autism spectrum who was diagnosed with Asperger’s at the age of 7 and is attending Moraine Technical Park College. Grant 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 name is Grant Manier, I am 26 years old and living in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
I am an award-winning Eco-Artist, children’s book illustrator, and philanthropist for special needs organizations, raising over $350,000 for great causes.
I am attending Moraine Park Technical College studying Graphic Designs. I work at SSM Health as a Behavioral Technician for the Treffert Center, school for autism.
Growing up was not a perfectly painted picture for me … no way! My parents were divorced when I was 4 years old. My older brother was rebellious, no one knew why, and my mother was keeping her head above water and food on the table. Me, I was screaming uncontrollably since I was 2 years old, no one knew why.
I must credit my mother for keeping one eye on me and the other on life. She did not let me fall through the cracks. As a single mom, she has been navigating our world together for 22 years. My goals are her goals, she makes that clear to me.
Google didn’t exist in 2000, she relied heavily on her friends to guide her through the emotional rollercoaster we were living. By 2002, I was diagnosed with Autism. My mother’s first words, “Then let’s get to work!” She did not have time to spare, I was 7 years old, and we had lost time. She worked as a teacher’s aide at an autism school for low tuition costs and early intervention assistance for me. She always said she felt “success” in me… she just needed help to find it.
Found it, we did! Today I am a successful Eco-Artist. Traveling and bringing my art exhibit, children’s books, and personal story to audiences of all ages, all around the world.
My art success began by the time I was 15 years old, winning the Austin Rodeo Eco-Art Grand Championship. I have been a featured artist in many art shows, schools, and conferences and featured and displayed in the United States Capitol. In 2018, my mom (Julie Coy/Author) and I collaborated on a children’s book. GRANT the Jigsaw Giraffe and Friends. Five books were published and sold over 15,000 books. Received recognition by the Barbara Bush Literacy Program in Houston, Texas in 2019.
My Eco-art collection of animals gave birth to the storybooks. Focusing on animals having disabilities or challenges, meeting Grant the Jigsaw Giraffe, mentorship, courage, and self-confidence. Book topics include Dyslexia, Childhood Cancer, the pandemic, autism, and being different.
The story lines are created after friends I’ve met on my personal journey living with autism.
I was approached to illustrate our first book in 2017, I was nervous about it. But, after a few short lessons on clipart software … I was hooked!
Because people believed I could illustrate books, having educators guiding me, and receiving recognition and awards, that was the self-esteem boost I needed to take me to the next level. Illustrations and digital art opened the opportunity to attend college.
But, in 2020, we were all shut-downed by the pandemic, the art business sales and shows came to a halt. However, I did not sit still, I learned how to use Zoom and I started interviewing people from all over the world. I interviewed my friend and mentor, Dr. Temple Grandin, we even wrote a book together. I continued to work on my Eco-Art and illustrate 3 more books during the pandemic.
In 2021, The Treffert Center in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin reached out and informed us about a new media production studio they were planning on opening Spring of 2022. They offer me an opportunity to develop my illustrations, graphic design, and socialization with their team. June 2021, we moved from Texas to Wisconsin. In August of 2021, I started a new job, started college, and living my dream.
But that “Perfect Painted Picture” almost came to an end. In January 2022, unexpected news, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer. Emotionally overwhelmed and physically drained. But my nature to preserver was stronger, I did not stop, I continued to work and attend college, both online.
I am currently attending Moraine Park Technical College (MTCP) Spring semester. Because of my autism, I am enrolled in the Disabilities Resource Facilities at MTPC and when I was diagnosed with cancer, they stepped up and contacted all my professors. Academic modifications were immediately set in place for me as I went through my chemo treatments.
I define “Leaders and Leadership” based on others before me. I am paying it forward, just like they did. I have advocated for my friends with special needs and challenges since I was 8 years old. I have raised money for great causes with my art. I share royalties with my friends from our book sales. I highlight stories of my friends on my social media posts. Above all, as a leader, I emphasize, “Do not walk this journey alone, find a support group of friends, family, educators to help you cross all the finish lines in your life… we are not alone!”
My future goals are to turn our children’s books into an animated series. To have my art recognized in a National Art Exhibit. To be an actor and use my voice-over talents to create extra income. I have big dreams!
I live with quirky behaviors and anxieties. I’ve learned to take those “qualities” and incorporate them into my art, my computer skills, my acting, and my voice-over talents.
“Autism does not define me … I define my autism. I use it to better myself and to help others.”
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.
