Transcript
What inspires you from WFSU Public Media? Here's this week's Voices That Inspire. I'm Zachary Richardson, and I change lives for the better. What it means is working with kids who may have learning challenges, being that I have autism or autistic and dyslexia, and a lot of time parents feel hopeless. And so I like to teach them that look how I've grown tremendously, and if you put a little practice in, and really give that child a chance to learn, then they will never disappoint you, but it requires patience. I think what happens is most kids have not been exposed to adults who are happy with who they are. And if we can show our kids that I know self, and self is that voice inside our head, that reminds us that today is a good day for a good day. Then kids will start to imitate us. Oftentimes we think kids don't listen, but they'll be sure to imitate us every chance they get. I became very passionate about education because of my struggle. I didn't like being laughed at or teased, or people not really understand in my condition. And still to this day, I wrestle with the autism. And some people call me different, which I am, but I'm somewhat of a recluse. And so for me, I always desire to go back and help as many kids possible, who may have come out of very negative situations, such as a father who wasn't incarcerated, still incarcerated, or a mother who decided to relinquish her right as a parent. So if you go through all those to match with things, it leaves you kind of scarred. But once you get the help that you need, you can't help but reach back and help someone like yourself to become, I guess, a productive citizen. And so my struggle has made me strong. And I'm no longer embarrassed to tell people that. I'm Zach Richardson, an individual who looks forward to changing lives for the better. You're listening to voices that inspire.