Hello!
I was actually a member on the website 3-4 years ago, but I lost all of my account info, changed emails, etc. so it just made sense for me to create a new account.
I'm 18 years old and am a Musical Theatre student in school in Rockford, IL. I'm from New Jersey (Hudson County) and I have Asperger's (Also Dyspraxia and ADHD). I was diagnosed when I was in the third grade by Cecelia McCarton in New York City. After my diagnosis, I spent many years in group Social Skills therapy as well as Individual therapy in order to curtail some of the social issues that the Asperger's brought. When I was in the 7th Grade, I wrote and performed a speech about living with my disability for a Speaking Competition and took home first place with it. I struggled for a long time, but my mother worked hard to make sure that I was never discriminated against and was able to function in society. My local school district tried to refuse to accommodate me, which resulted in a law suit which ultimately settled and allowed me to go to school in my city. My high school, which was a county vocational school that requires students to be accepted, also tried to refuse me admission, writing on my file "Qualified but Unable to Accommodate". My mother learned of this and threatened to sue, and the school accepted me without much of a battle.
High school was difficult, as it usually is for Aspies, but now I'm in College and am fairly content. My mom sent me far away because she wanted me to become less dependent on her, and she knew that if I went nearby to school I would probably have gone home every weekend. She was a lawyer in New Jersey who was an advocate for disabled students and was on CNN, Fox, and even The Real Housewives of New Jersey! (As a lawyer, not a housewife)
I'm dating a great guy who understands my disability and is very patient with my occasional 'Aspie' moments. I'm at a point where it's pretty much impossible to tell I have a disability, though I do slip up now and then. I'm very proud of myself for where I am. I've spoken at an Aspen Conference in New Jersey, telling my story.
My hobbies include Singing/Dancing/Acting (haha, obviously), Writing, Reading Manga/Watching Anime, Cosplay, Reading in General, and playing Video Games/Magic: The Gathering. (Magic is pretty much my favorite hobby.)
Um...I guess that's it for me! Haha.
-JR
_________________
There is only love. Nothing else exists.
10 Sep 2011, 1:13 pm
