Wow, so inspiring.

 

A man’s powerful, moving account of his life as a person with autism highlights the importance of looking beyond appearances – as well as making the effort to understand what goes on behind the façade of people with autism.

 

Because while autism doesn’t define people, how WE define autism does.

 

And his story is proof of that.

 

Kerry Magro is a motivational speaker, author, consultant and autism advocate. But when he was two-and-a-half he was nonverbal; when he was four he was diagnosed with autism; he had sensory difficulties throughout childhood; he spent hundreds of hours in therapy; and he was bullied relentlessly as a result of being ‘different’.  

 

But he also graduated high school, college and postgraduate studies; he has a job and a girlfriend; and he’s now a national speaker who also works to help parents who have children with autism.

 

But as he says, in the powerful piece shared on Love What Matters, you would only know that if you knew him.

 

 

If you knew me…

 

You would know I was nonverbal at 2 and a half

 

You would know I was diagnosed with autism at 4

 

You would know I got kicked out of two preschools

 

You would know I had extreme sensory-integration difficulties

 

You would know I would lash out to get attention when I couldn’t communicate on my own

 

You would know I twirled my hair

 

You would know that when I was in school, my peers labeled special education “wrong” instead of “special”

 

You would know I spent hundreds of hours a year in therapy to get to where I am

 

You would know I spent hundreds of hours being bullied because of my diagnosis

 

You would know that being institutionalized was a possibility.

 

But if you also knew me…

 

You would know I graduated grade school

 

You would know I graduated high school

 

You would know I graduated college

 

You would know I received a masters degree

 

You would know I have a job

 

You would know I consulted for a major motion picture

 

You would know I live independently

 

You would know I consult to help parents who have children with autism

 

You would know I am a national speaker, life coach and author

 

You would know I have had a girlfriend

 

You would know I love my family, my friends and the autism community out there

 

You would know that I’m Kerry, and no matter what autism means or doesn’t mean I’m being the best me I can be

 

Only if you knew me

 

 

“If you are reading this,” he finishes. “Please know that autism can’t define our loved ones and only we can define autism. I know so many kids on the spectrum today who are trying to be the very best they can be.

 

“We as a community have so many unique and beautiful stories to share so please make sure they are heard.”

 

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