BRANDON MAGER

Brandon is a public speaker and advocate on the autism spectrum who spent much of his life wrestling with one question: Would people truly accept him for who he was, or simply be kind to him because he was autistic?

More than anything, Brandon wanted to show that he could be an active and meaningful part of society—even when others seemed unwilling to accept him. During difficult moments, he questioned whether his life had truly begun. But he came to recognize something incredibly important: he had a support system that never stopped believing in him.

His parents advocated for him from the beginning, always encouraging him to keep moving forward. He also looked up to his brother and wanted to be like him. Their support motivated Brandon to work harder than ever before.

As a young boy, Brandon struggled with physical coordination and could not move his right arm and left leg at the same time. Through persistence and hard work, he eventually participated in sports including football and lacrosse. These experiences taught him that limitations do not have to define a person's future.

For years, Brandon believed he was friends with everyone. He formed connections at camp and looked forward to seeing people again at school. Eventually, however, he realized that some people he considered friends did not acknowledge or include him as he had hoped.

That realization led Brandon to ask an important question: What does true friendship really mean?

Through these experiences, he learned the difference between a friendship and an acquaintance—and that his worth should never be determined by how others treat him.

Today, Brandon shares his experiences to speak about autism, inclusion, friendship, perseverance, self-worth, and the importance of having people who believe in you. His story is not about being defined by autism. It is about discovering who you are, overcoming the expectations others place on you, and finding the courage to keep moving forward.

Brandon's message is simple: Being different does not mean you don't belong. Sometimes, it means you have a story the world needs to hear.