This guest post is by Simon Watts, a young man who was accepted to Rocky Mountain College in Montana. He is an advocate for the Spring 2025 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 the Next Chapter: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams was released on Amazon on 3/25/25 and looks at the lives over 75 Autistic adults. 100% of the proceeds from this book will go back to supporting our nonprofits many initiatives, like this scholarship program. Check out the book here.
“You’re going to have to fight for everything,” my doctor once told my parents. “But if anyone can do it, this child can.”
I’ve never forgotten those words. They weren’t just about survival — they became my life’s rhythm.
From the moment I entered this world, I have been a fighter. Every breath I took, every challenge I faced, and every obstacle in my path, I fought to overcome. Born with the odds against me, I spent months in neonatal and pediatric critical care units, battled multiple learning disabilities, and coped with the loss of loved ones. Despite everything, I persevered — not just surviving, but thriving. My journey isn’t just about endurance; it’s about transformation.
I spent the first six months of life in hospital units, undergoing multiple life-saving procedures. My parents were told to prepare for the worst. My mother moved into the hospital to be with me every moment, while my father juggled work and care for our family. Their love and sacrifices helped me become the determined person I am today.
That fire to survive carried into childhood. I remember gripping a pencil in therapy sessions and sounding out simple words while my peers read fluently. Diagnosed with dyslexia, autism, ADHD, anxiety disorder, fine motor disorder, and developmental coordination disorder, I was given an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) at age five. I cried over handwriting drills and math flashcards. But I also remember the triumph of reading my first paragraph aloud—and the pride in my teacher’s tear-filled eyes. That moment taught me the power of persistence.
Elementary and middle school brought challenges, but also growth. While some saw my differences as setbacks, my family and a few teachers saw my potential. I attended speech and occupational therapy and received applied behavior analysis. Through it all, I developed patience, resilience, and empathy. I learned how to advocate for myself and adapt to new strategies. My disabilities became part of my identity—not limitations, but lessons.
High school marked a significant milestone in my life. Determined to prove I could succeed, I earned straight A’s in my freshman year. A single B in tenth grade stung, but I responded by taking honors courses and reclaiming a 4.0 GPA. Sports became an outlet for strength and confidence. I earned All-Conference honors in track and field and an All-Star award in soccer. Athletics reminded me that I could work with my body, not against it.
The most transformative experience of all, though, came during a therapeutic riding session. From the moment I sat on that horse, I felt grounded, calm, and strong. The usual anxiety that clouded my mind melted away. That ride was more than a moment—it was a calling. It was the first time I experienced the healing power of equine-assisted therapy firsthand.
Since that day, I’ve devoted myself to learning everything I can about the field. I volunteer regularly at a therapeutic riding center, helping children with disabilities find their moments of peace and empowerment. One child, previously non-verbal, smiled and reached for me after a session—an unforgettable reminder of how transformative this work can be. I’ve taken animal science and psychology courses and plan to become a certified therapeutic riding instructor. My ultimate goal is to open a center where individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges can find healing through the bond between horse and human.
My lived experience gives me a unique insight into this work. I know what it feels like to struggle, to be underestimated, and to rise above. These challenges have given me not only technical knowledge but also emotional intelligence—empathy, resilience, and the ability to connect deeply with others. I want to use those qualities to positively impact others’ lives, just as therapeutic riding transformed my own.
What sets my story apart isn’t just what I’ve endured—it’s how I’ve responded. I’ve learned to view progress as victory, not perfection. I’ve learned to be proud of what makes me different. And I’ve discovered that strength often comes from the very things others might see as weakness.
My journey isn’t over, but I now walk—or ride—forward with courage and clarity. I believe the hardest paths often lead to the most meaningful destinations.
“Though he be but little, he is fierce.” — Shakespeare
This quote has stayed with me through every struggle and success. I’ve grown into it—and now, I live by it.
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue a post-secondary education. Help us continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
Also, consider having Kerry, one of the only professionally accredited speakers on the spectrum in the country, speak at your next event by sending him an inquiry here. If you have a referral for someone who many want him to speak please reach out as well! Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofit organizations, parent groups and other special events on topics ranging from employment, how to succeed in college with a learning disability, internal communication, living with autism, bullying prevention, social media best practices, innovation, presentation best practices and much more!
