If you don't know me, I'd love to meet you. I grow up in Scottsville, VA where I have lived for 20 years. I grew up being autistic and not knowing what my future will hold for me. I had trouble making friends through preschool, all the way to high school. To me, I am proud of who I am. I was bullied my whole life. When I asked a girl out, I would get made fun of for my special needs. To me, that won’t stop me from having a normal life and getting married just like everyone else.

I went to Scottsville Elementary School from kindergarten to 2nd grade. Then I went to Washington DC for a reading program for 9 weeks. Then I went to Agnor-Hurt for 3rd through 5th grade, where my dad was my teacher. Then I was home-schooled for my 6th grade. Then I went to Walton Middle School my 7th and 8th grade.

My 8th grade year was kind of scary for me. I had a medical emergency happen during the school day right before my band trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. I can’t really remember what happened on that day, but someone told me I had a seizure all of the sudden, in the band room before the trip.

But that didn't stop me on my journey. I went to high school at Monticello High School in Charlottesville, VA where I became an entrepreneur. I started the Monticello Weather Center and Monticello Top News. I graduated high school in 2015. Now in 2017, I am trying to get my firefighter/EMT certification. I am also hoping to get into a fire academy so I can learn about the job.

This goes to show that even people like me with special needs can do anything they want. I am successful and anyone can be successful like me if they work hard and follow their dreams.