An Inspiring Message to You

April is the start of Autism Awareness Month, while April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. It's a day to highlight the need to improve the lives of those with autism. I was diagnosed with autism at the age of five. Many of my peers in school and everyone else said that I wouldn't have a successful life. Despite those naysayers, I refused to give up. I was bullied for being different from others, because autism was so misunderstood back in the 90s. I was in special education classes from Pre-K through my junior year of high school. I'll be forever grateful of my teachers and everyone for helping me become the person I am today. Special education teachers in general deserve all the credit for taking time out of their day to help people like me strive for excellence. Autism Awareness is one the causes I'm very passionate about, because it's something that's relatable to me. It's also a cause that very close to my heart. Plus, it's something I can speak about from personal experiences. I believe that people sharing their stories about being on the spectrum will be inspirational to others.

If you're an individual with autism or know someone who's on the spectrum, then this heartfelt message is for you. In today's society, we rarely hear positive stories in the media. However, as a creator on Vocal, I believe it's my mission to spread positivity to everyone. If you're a parent or sibling of someone who's on the spectrum, you would find the following directive helpful and beneficial not only to you, but the individual.

Hello, friend. I want to spend a few moments to share some words of wisdom with you. Being yourself and different is good. Why? Because it means that you're allowing yourself to become the person you want to be. Sure you might be different from everyone else, but that's the beauty of being unapologetically you. Never lose sight of who you are. People will tease and laugh at you for being different, but staying true to yourself is your superpower. Be bold and courageous. When people say "No you can't", prove them wrong and say, "Yes I can." You were born to thrive and contribute to society. There's nothing wrong with being yourself, because it's better to become the best version of yourself than to be someone that you're not. Never be afraid to follow your dreams and aspirations. Being on the spectrum shouldn't and will never define your worth. You will face challenges and obstacles in your life, but you have the ability to overcome them and show everyone that you are more than just someone with autism. You were born to stand out and become an inspirational superhero to someone. Finally, my friend, I believe in you. You know why? It's because you can succeed in life and do anything you put your mind into. The world needs brilliant and sharp minds like you. It's never too early or late to make a difference in this world. I call you my friend because you deserve someone who will support you in anything you choose to do. When no one else believes in you, just remember that you'll always have a friend in me. We may know each other personally, but we can both encourage ourselves to keep on pushing forward in life. We can be our own cheerleaders. I send my love to the most amazing person in the world, which is you, and remember, you'll always have a friend in me. Never forget that.