Rising Up

This is the story of Ian Weller. It starts at the educational diagnosis in elementary school and spans to close to the present day. It's a rollercoaster ride of a journey. It tells of his time in the public school system in Northern Michigan to being his own person.

This is told from the point of view of Ian alone. Others that may be mentioned are only hinted by their first initial and may recall things differently. Ian went to great lengths to conceal how he felt during much of the time periods.

There are poems he has written from different time periods of life and help illustrate the mental and emotional state he was in. Some have never been published before, while some are in his other work or blog website. Nothing is watered down or sugar coated, this story is full of raw emotion.

If one person with the right help can do so much, imagine what others on the spectrum can do with the right support.

Ian Weller was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 2. Experts in the 90s said he wouldn't get past middle school and suggested a list of special education schools to his parents. His parents refused to listen to the "experts" advise and worked to give him the help he would need to succeed. He has surpassed all original expectations. He graduated from the public school system in Northern Michigan taking General Education courses with an average GPA. He went on to go to college and graduated with an Associate Degree and a Certificate of Development in New Media. He has also been inducted into Charlevoix Public Schools Alumni Hall of Fame for working with the Autism Community of North Western Michigan. He may not give himself the credit he may deserve for all he has accomplished. He feels he did what was demanded of him (by his own standards) and what he felt was right.