My name is Carla Simon and I have aspergers, I was diagnosed at age 4 when teachers at my preschool noticed I had trouble making eye contact and other behavioral issues, when was younger I used to run away and was bothered by loud noises, it didn't stop me from having neurotypical friends though, I used to have sleepovers and everything. I got a lot of therapy growing up which helped me improve a lot. I am now 27 years old and have competed in Special Olympics for 8 years, I drive a car, go to college, and have competed at the Special Olympics national games 2014 in New Jersey in track and field and in Louisville, Kentucky in 2013 in unified volleyball. I don't have any friends now to hang out with just like a lot of adults with aspergers since a lot of my friends went their separate ways, but I hope someday to meet other people like me with aspergers or even meet others who are neurotypical and accepting of people like me. I love going to concerts, bowling, and going to movies. People with aspergers or autism can do anything they set their mind to, we just got to keep trying even if we get bouts of depression or loneliness, someday everybody will accept us for who we are that is my hope.

Carla Marie Simon
Queen Creek, AZ