Paris King was not going to let living with autism stop him from graduating from college. Neither was he going to let various setbacks prevent him from fulfilling his dream.
So despite seeing his father die, enduring a multiple sclerosis diagnoses, surviving a mugging and watching his mother undergo aggressive cancer treatment, all during the four years that he was studying for his bachelor’s degree in history at Roosevelt University, the 23-year-old still received his diploma on Friday at a graduation ceremony, the Chicago Tribune reported.
“I came to college so I can learn more about the world we live in,” he told the newspaper. “It has been a fun experience, but it has been hard.”
King worked closely with the university's associate director of academic success, Danielle Smith, who wanted to help the student after being inspired by his family’s resilience, The Week reported.
Smith recognized a role model in King that could inspire thousands of others living with autism and other disabilities and who wanted to further their education but never thought it was possible.
“Paris never has a bad attitude,” said Smith, per the Tribune. “He always finds a way to do it.”
Roosevelt saw four students with autism graduate with bachelor’s degrees this year, a number that has been increasing over the years.
According to The Huffington Post, various traditional universities are increasingly offering supplemental support for additional tuition for those with disabilities.
“This is the best time ever for students who learn differently to go to college,” said Brent Betit, a co-founder of Landmark College in Vermont, which was established to cater for students with disabilities, per The Huffington Post.
“There are better programs available than at any time in history. I think that’s in part because of the entrepreneurial nature of the United States. When there’s a need out there, and a business market available, people respond.”
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