My name is Richie Jewell. I'm 20 years old and i have autism since being diagnosed at the age of 2 1/2. Like everyone else in the world, i have an up-down life like a sea-saw. I went through some of the stuff that has been a rocky roadblock during my life. It was very challenging to live through the times that I endured during my life such as teasing, on and off depression, struggling to adapt in places like schools, helplessly observing my parents’ divorce and the struggles with my disability. Well despite all of those horrible obstacles that tried to cut me down, I would overcome by getting through one day at a time, write poems out of my mind and heart with the help from family, friends, my hobbies, which are animals, wrestling, movies, writing, and inspiration on January 2010 . Those things i just mentioned are the huge puzzle pieces of my life. Currently, i work at a local library in Beacon, NY to get some money. Outside of that, I'm a writer, motivational speaker and world/autism advocate to reach out people and raise their spirits. As of right now, I'm writing a book now titled Through my Eyes: The Richie Jewell Chronicles and 50 Poems, which is about my life and the 50 poems I’ve written. Every day, there will be new challenges that are gonna confront me but I will get stronger and more confident as I conquered them. I always live by a quote made by Jim Henson. And i quote: "Life is meant to be fun, joyous, and fulfilling. May each of yours be that - having each of you as a child of mine has certainly been one of the good things in my life. Know that I’ve always loved each of you with an eternal, bottomless love. A love that has nothing to do with each other, for I feel my love for each of you is total and all-encompassing. Please watch out for each other and love and forgive everybody. It’s a good life, enjoy it." In order to be successful,2. Reach into your heart and soul to discover your talent. Sometimes, people's talents fade away and you lose something special so, hold on to it. If your talent or idea helps you, then let it set you free from the obstacles that are currently destroying your spirit. Follow your dreams and heart by listening to that “whisper” inside your head speaking to you. If you listen to it, you'll go somewhere. There are many opinions about your work , never let voices put you down, the only one you have listen to is your own. Look for the good in every day. Repeat these steps every day, and you will become successful. Everyone has a story to tell and it is our duty to make the best out of what life has given us. This who I am and always will be: I am Richie Jewell
Submitted by Anonymous
We've all had people in our lives who have made a positive impact on us. A parent or grandparent, a sibling who was there for us, or maybe even just a guy who shines shoes for a living? Whoever they are, tell us their story so they can inspire us even more.
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