Doctors Said Woman with Autism Might Never Be Self-Sufficient, Now She's a Practicing Attorney
“Different isn’t bad. It’s just different. And different can be extraordinary.” These are just a few words Haley Moss lives by, according to her website.
Diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of 3, the now 24-year-old Moss grew up with loving parents who told her to “embrace” her diagnosis, Law.com’s Daily Business Review reports.
Sadly, not all shared their compassionate viewpoint. The doctor who diagnosed Moss told her parents that their autistic daughter would likely never graduate or even drive a car.
But Moss, who is both a published author and an artist, defied the odds against her by reaching for her dreams.
Moss will be the first to tell you she struggles with simple tasks like laundry. “The things people refer to as adulting,” she told Daily Business Review.
While “adulting” may not be her strong suit, she has plenty of other strengths that more than make up for her laundry challenges.
In fact, Moss graduated from the University of Miami School of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in Jan. 2019, making her the first “openly autistic person” to do so, Sun-Sentinel reports.
“I’m very passionate about things I enjoy and I love to write,” Moss told Sun-Sentinel. “That’s also part of why I went to law school, and I love to be able to help others…”
Moss already has a job lined up as an associate with Zumpano Patricios, a well-known Miami law firm. The firm’s founders, Joe Zumpano and Leon Patricios, both attended Moss’ ceremony.
Zumpano has a special connection to Moss’ story as his 16-year-old son is also autistic, Daily Business Review reports.
Moss was more recently awarded the Occhigrossi Family Youth in Service Award from Unicorn Children’s Foundation.
“It’s about dreams and following dreams and having no limits…” Moss said, according to The Palm Beach Post. “No two brains are the same. Just because my brain works more like a Mac than a PC doesn’t mean I’m any less human.”
We are so inspired by this talented woman’s story and all she has overcome to achieve her goals. We have no doubt she is an inspiration to anyone who struggles with similar obstacles.
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