“Don’t let others tell you what you cannot be. Always keep your head up.”

Share your stigma experience.

As a child, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a high functioning level of autism that affects the ability to communicate. Growing up, I didn’t have the ability to express myself, I was very shy and would get nervous in social situations.

My situation with Asperger’s made me feel trapped. People didn’t understand how I felt. They would dismiss me for being crazy and would openly call me derogatory names, calling me psycho and demeaning me. The bullying was so bad that I considered suicide at the age of eleven. I went to see specialists who seemed to suggest there was no hope for me because of the way I acted. They had me on two different medications that I ceased taking in 2013 because they didn’t work for me.

I was told that I wouldn’t be able to function once I got to high school, little did I know that this all would change for me. As I matured I was destined to prove that I wouldn’t let this disorder define who I am.

How did you overcome this experience?

I overcame this experience with writing. I love to write. I would always share my stories with my class and loved to participate when the teacher would ask me to. I kept writing down how I felt in life as I was aging. Writing was my only escape. It was the only place I could express myself without judgement. On October 26th 2014, I published my first book and would go on to write 39 more books.

Help others by sharing a brief, positive message.

This is for anyone going through a stigma. Never let your disorder define you. Don’t let others tell you what you cannot be. Always keep your head up. Things will get better! Keep pushing forward!