Jeremy Sicile-Kira had an especially difficult time in high school, but despite his challenges he remained determined to graduate.
At age three, Jeremy was diagnosed at with severe autism and mental retardation. He was unable to speak and has a very hard time controlling his facial expressions and body movements. His mother was told he would never learn to communicate, but she remained confident that they would find a way. Her efforts paid off when they found that Jeremy could speak by pointing to letters and creating words.
They quickly realized Jeremy “was a normal 15 year old who understood the world around him” according to his mother. Jeremy was determined to prove that he could learn like any normal kid his age, and attended regular classes at Torrey Pines High School. He proved that just because he had autism, did not mean he wasn’t as intelligent as anyone else his age. He gained friends, joined the school newspaper and changed people’s perception of those with autism. Jeremy passed his California High School Exit Exam and graduated from high school with a 3.78 GPA. He was even asked to speak at his graduation through his LiteWriter, a device that verbalized his typed speech.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8cEtand01w
Jeremy even went on to attend Mira Costa College, studying Communications and Journalism and wrote for the college’s newspaper, despite his diagnosis. He has also co-authored the book, “A Life Full With Autism”, with his mother, Chantal Sicile-Kira and began painting his dreams and the colors he sees for people due to his synesthesia. Jeremy also has inspired many young people by appearing on MTV’s True Life “I Have Autism.”
It may not be easy, but you can also accomplish anything you set your mind to and overcome obstacles in your way. Jeremy literally transformed the one thing holding him back from having a full life into what gives his life meaning and his life’s work.
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