Last week my family and I had the honor of awarding the first ever “Life With Theodorable” Scholarship to a graduating senior. I can’t think of a better way to honor my brother Teddy and other autistic people and their families. This is what I presented at the ceremony:
The Life With Theodorable Scholarship was created in recognition of my brother Theodore Esler. Theodore, whom we often refer to as “Teddy” is autistic and requires a variety of support from teachers, therapists, assistants, and aides in order to be successful. These professionals play a crucial role in providing a better life for Teddy and my family.
This award’s purpose is to support the education of scholars pursuing a career in education or other related fields. We used this award to recognize someone who has contributed positively to the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and plans to continue to do so.
We hope this award encourages scholars to pursue opportunities to work with children of all abilities and prioritize meeting the needs of diverse populations in their future work. Congratulations AGAIN to the winner, Matthew Iorio!
