Autism Unveiled Week 2
“Who Am I?”
“How is Autism Part of Me?”
When I look around me, I see masks where others see emotion. When I listen, I hear only what is said when others hear what is meant. I was born with a disorder classified as Asperger’s Syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism. Today, society at large is becoming increasingly aware that the limitations of those with Asperger’s are mostly in the social realm, but this was not always the case. Growing up, I had long odds against me more times than I care to remember, and I have beaten them all.
I do now know when my peers and the adults in my life began noticing there was something different about me, but the first time I received a diagnosis was in third grade. Although Asperger’s had been discovered by its namesake in 1944 Austria, it was not until the mid-1990’s that it was recognized in the United States. Hence, I was initially misdiagnosed as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a mistake that was not corrected until sixth grade. At the time, I neither noticed nor cared. It was around this time also that a powerful work ethic awoke within me. After that, regardless of what people labeled me, I always tried to do my work to the best of my ability, more often than not matching or besting my “normal” counterparts in this regard, much to the surprise of those who expected otherwise. Since this strategy has worked so well thus far, I intend to continue to employ it to the maximum.
In the eighth grade, I allowed myself to be a subject in an Asperger’s research study investigating family history and the role of genetics in autism. Concerned about my future, my parents discussed my prognosis and other issues with the medical experts in the autism field who were conducting the study. While admitting that the research was in its infancy, the doctors told my parents that most people with Asperger’s do not fare very well in college. As such, the odds were stacked against my collegiate success before I even entered high school. Fortunately, my parents did not pass along this pessimistic forecast to me, so I just kept on succeeding.
The high-school era results of this drive speak for themselves. I was invited to join the National Honor Society, graduated in the top tenth of my class and was one of only nine seniors to be named a Rotary Student of the Month. Far from simply having names drawn out of a hat at random, Students of the Month are chosen by the faculty for demonstrating outstanding performance in academics, service, leadership and character. And to top it off, out of the 12 high school semesters, there was only one when I was not on either the honor roll or the high honor roll. (If I could have typed then as fast as I do now, I would have been on the honor roll all 12 semesters!)
When I began applying to colleges, I learned that all the awards and respect I had earned in high school didn’t matter to some Admissions Offices. Friends I had academically outpaced were recognized for their awards and talents by a few of the same institutions that saw me as autistic and a potential embarrassment. Fortunately, several colleges were willing to risk admitting me (as a “provisional” student.) Once on the college campus, I continued to do my best and beat those long odds as readily as I had done in high school. Thus far, I have earned four Dean’s Lists, numerous scholarships and awards, and most importantly, respect for both me as an individual and those like me with Asperger’s who will follow after me.
Asperger’s Syndrome masks the emotions of others to me, just as the very word “autistic” conceals who I am and what I am capable of achieving. I have faced adversity in my life, and I am prepared to face more. After all, to paraphrase the great Roman poet, Horace, “good fortune conceals the true essence of a person, while adversity reveals it.”
Troy Crumrine, Pennsylvania
Father’s note: This is the essay that my oldest son, Troy D. Crumrine, wrote in 2007 as he was beginning to apply to Law Schools across Pennsylvania to fulfill the application requirement to write an essay that ”describes how you have overcome a difficulty.” Of the six Law Schools to which he applied, he was accepted into the night division of only one—the only one that did not receive this essay as part of the application packet. But as always, through character and hard work and only God can imagine what difficulties, Troy made the most of that opportunity, graduating in 2012. He passed the Bar Exam on his first try and spent the next two years sending out hundreds of applications and going through dozens of interviews. When he was able to get some feedback from the failed interviews, it was just more of the same – “we can’t imagine you being the kind of guy to sit next to some of our older clients and really listen to what they have to say,” one group of partners told him.
In November of 2014, he began a 14-month opportunity as a paralegal with the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. Underemployed? Yes, currently. A talent under recognized and under appreciated? Yes, so far. But a giant of character and a tremendous role model for ANY person facing difficulties.
Troy Crumrine is part of the six-week advocacy project Autism Unveiled Project commencing on April 2, 2015, World Autism Awareness Day.
I enjoyed your story very much. I have to apply to Colleges very soon. Would you advise not mentioning being autistic on the applications? I have always tried to embrace my autism, but hate to be discriminated against as I certainly can excel in a university environment. Thank you very much for your story!!!
Thank you. I would most definitely mention it on the application. The usual cliches about “Their loss then!” aside, if a university is going to have an issue with you being autistic, it is best for you personally to know that going in. Remember: universities are, at the end of the day, businesses competing with each other for you.
I function pretty well, however, public speaking, and mass que analysis led me to having my job put in danger. I believe I need a lawyer to retain my job. I have the highest safety record in my field, employees whom I steer to safety have the greatest safety factor on the east coast. However, due to communication problems with project managers who simply want to get the jobs b done vs safety, I am being release from the job. Is there a lawyer here who could help?
Excellent. Troy, you will continue to do well, and you have already succeeded. God has a plan for your life. You probably don’t realize it yet, but I’d be willing to bet that the adversity you are fighting your way through right now will probably come in very handy in the future. It took me 20 years of work to realize it is surviving those struggles that help us excel above those who are afraid to take risks, and fight through difficulties. I’ve learned to welcome those challenges throughout my career. Your kind of work ethic, dedication, and determination are quite rare in today’s graduates I see entering the work force. Once the right opportunity finds you, I’m sure you will be ready for it. Congrats on your accomplishments Troy! You are weclome to contact me about job opportunities at my company. I would be happy to recommend you personally if you an open position that interests you.
Congrats on your accomplishments Troy! My wife recently finished law school and I am all too aware of the difficulties surrounding law school, taking the bar, and finding work as an attorney. I believe your experiences give you a unique opportunity and insight for a lot of people. Good luck in D.C and in all your future experiences.
Troy – thank you for sharing your story here. I really appreciate the chance to read about your life. Do you have any advice for children who are going through what you went through but haven’t had as much success as you have?
Sorry for the long delay, Mr. Iwertz; I only now saw this.
Best advice I could give would be keep trying and learn from mistakes and past failures. Easier said than done, believe me, but at the end of the day it’s a game of attrition.
Regarding the comment by a doctor that Asperger’s do not do well at college: the BBC presenter and scientist Brian Cox reported in one of his TV series that it has been found scientists are half-way between autistic & “normal”. This may mean they are only mildly Asperger’s but it’s pretty rare a scientist can have much of a career without doing well indeed at university. Actually I’d say medicine is very similar to science, sometimes it is science, so I’d wager that doctor mentioned has traces of autism too, I’m increasingly thinking there may be no other way of being gifted in this way.
I’m a visual artist, come from a family of doctors & scientists, I think I might be a little autistic, I spend a great deal of time remembering & thinking about peoples expressions and body language “what did that mean??” it’s possible I’ve learned to cope (somewhat) with great conscious attention to these things, I suspect “normal” do it automatically without thinking. Cheers
I too was diagnosed with a multitude of disabilities yet I proved all those “professionals” wrong
Cannot communicate? I speak 14 languages
Cannot understand abstract concepts? a lot of international humanitarian law (law of armed conflict) has abstract concepts I understand them perfectly fine like responsibility to protect jus ad bellum jus cogens responsibility to protect is the idea that every state has the right and duty to protect citizens from genocide war crimes and crimes against humanity and if they don’t international community should. jus ad bellum is how to wage a war humanely and jus cogens is how to interpet the law correctly.
Cannot build relationships? I build a relationship with the most intense relationship oriented culture Malawian and I learned Precious’ languages Chichewa Ndiayankhulo Chichewa yankhulo chiyankhulo chimbwenzi Chichewa
Do not have empathy I spent five hours of my time helping a friend on his UN essay He got a 90 percent on it
I taught myself international human rights humanitarian criminal refugee law in all six UN languages انا ادرس القدوونمة النسمي نسم الجنينة العولاين في صعبة الغت المم المتحدة 我知道国际人道法人权法国际形事法国难民法全六语联合国 Je me conaissances droits international droits d l’homme humanitaires criminal refuges en alles six langues oficiel des Nations Unies Я знаю международный гумианатрный права человека уголовное права беженец на все шесть языков организация обеденных наци Yo sé derecho international humanitario derechos humanos criminal refugiado en todos seis idiomas de las Naciones Unidas
Everything professionals taught me I couldn’t do I did
the professionals tell us this for a simple reason their pathetic careers are based on telling autistic people what we cannot do if autistics were seen as capable they will be out of a job
start your practice do not listen to the professionals
when you win your great victory every law firm will be begging on their knees
same happened with me I was labeled a slew of disabilities yet I am a published writer a doctor of international law from oxford I work at the international criminal court I speak 15 languages I am the state winner of geography of new jersey in 2004
Hello Autism blog I am a person with aspbergers syndrome and severe depression from being choked by a nurse in a hospital . Is there a lawyer that would wish to represent me in this matter in Washington state for contingency fee . I am seeking to get a attorney in this matter as soon as possible . I am really suffering and I need to get a attorney quickly as soon as possible this has been really difficult for me . My needs are falling through the cracks of system . I also have some developmental disabilities that are not getting met in are system and are society it has been really tough for me . Ms. Jessica Simpson
My 5 year old son has Asperger’s syndrome and is being bullied in school and the principal does not understand he has Asperger’s or how to get the truth out of him when he is really needing help and I don’t know how to assure someone can advocate for him who understands this condition. I truly need legal help and someone whom advocates for Asperger’s syndrome.
To Troy, hello I’m also an Asperger’s syndrome autistic.I need real help. This group of people keep forcing me to sign over my trust fund. Holding me hostage. Then take my house, my disability checks, trust fund money and leave me in the street homeless. I’m now currently trying to claim my father’s house since he died. But I’m having trouble with money and keeping my papers, everyone keeps stealing my things at the shelter. Even certain staff members. Police don’t help. Please help me, so I’ll have a house to live in. Don’t let them take my dad’s house away from me. My name is Tina M Gillich I had a name change years ago.to Kristin cipriano.I was an NYPD officer and a private Detective. I studied in forensic science. I was also an LVN. And yes I m an autistic. Please contact me asap. Need your help. 646-577-9937.