Finding My Way

A personal essay reflecting on Jennifer Rose's lifelong relationship with the Beatles, from performing “Yellow Submarine” as a child to becoming convinced in ninth grade that she was John Lennon reincarnated, using the 60th anniversary of Revolver as a starting point to explore special interests, identity, and belonging.

Hearing about big sports games, playing fantasy sports computer games as a kid, and even occasionally (get this) watching them on television, I never thought I would someday get tickets to a game itself, let alone one for a “Big Game” like the World Cup. After all, my family cares so little for sports that my mom married my dad because he didn’t know when the SuperBowl was (really), and I can count the names of soccer players I know on my fingers. And yet, last July, I won an

Have you ever had a wild and crazy story centered around a wild and crazy anniversary and/or America’s birthday? I just had one.

Growing up with autism has been a journey filled with challenges, growth, and unexpected moments of resilience. In this personal reflection, I share my experience from childhood struggles with feeling different to becoming a graduate student, and published author. My story is a reminder that autism is only one part of who we are, and that with support, self-acceptance, and perseverance, we can create meaningful lives.

Hey, I came home in one piece, didn’t I?