My name is Michelle Zeman. I'm 21 years old and am living in Fishers, IN.
When I was born, my mom thought there was something different about me. I cried a lot more than my brothers did, I developed much slower, and I hated affection. These were just a few items. She had gone to different doctors to see what could be wrong. All of them told her "it's a third child thing" or "you're crazy, she's fine".
It took me until I was 3 years old when my mom got me to a doctor who said she should get me tested for Autism right away. A few short months later, I was diagnosed with borderline severe Autism.
I went through eight years of ABA therapy, a lot of bullying, being told I was an Autistic freak by my father, and being told I wasn't going to go anywhere in life. I was told I would barely make it through high school, never become independent, and that I would need assistance for the rest of my life.
Here I am at 21 years old already going for my Master's degree in ABA and just a few days of moving out of my mom's house. I graduated high school with a 3.2 GPA and college (in 3.5 years, might I add) with a 3.2. I'm also about to start an ABA Therapist job in less than three weeks and am currently working towards BCBA certification.
Just by breathing, I am proving people that a diagnosis of Autism is not a death sentence. I am letting the world know that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Hope is alive, just believe it and cherish all of the milestones you or your child has accomplished.
Thank you for letting me share my story.
- Michelle
Fishers, IN