I am an 11 year old special education student who is on the autism spectrum. My mom found me in a Russian orphanage. I was alone, sick, starving and emaciated. My head had been shaved due to lice. The doctors told her that I was special needs and I may never be able to walk or even talk. She adopted me anyway because she loved me. She said the most heart breaking thing she ever saw in her life was "snack" time at the orphanage. She said that the ladies broke off small pieces of hard bread and gave them to each toddler to eat. The bigger male children ate their bread quickly and went after the other children's bread. They were able to take away the other much smaller children's bread and eat it themselves. These other kids were left sobbing and hungry. My mom said that, when I received my bread, I clutched it in my fist and curled up in the fetal position with the bread hidden under my body. When the bigger boys tried to take it away from me, they could not get to it. No matter how hard they pushed, pulled and kicked me, I would not let go of my food. After a while, they gave up and moved on to the next child. I have fought to survive and make a difference my whole life. I am active in gymnastics, dance, swim team and cheer team. I am also a pageant queen and have raised over $5,000 to help other children and families.
My only goal in life that I have not yet reached is to compete for Team USA at the Special Olympics World Games in gymnastics and swimming. Someday, I will be on that team. I will keep training daily and not give up. When I grow up, I want to start my own charitable foundation to help others. I realize that other people's lives sometimes depend upon who is willing to help them. My life matters and I want to help others.
Bonaire, GA
