OLS student makes national news with school speech

Keira Meikus, a fourth-grader at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, made national news after sharing her story with fellow students through a televised school announcement.

“I have autism,” Keira said in the announcement. “I am just like you, I am also different from you.”

During her speech, Keira talked about her similarities to and differences from her classmates and explained the autism spectrum.

“A person with autism has a brain that works differently than a typical brain,” she said. “Neither is better. They are just different.”

Keira shared her speech as a part of Autism Awareness Month, which takes place in April. She wanted to share her thoughts about autism so that other students could understand individuals with autism better. 

“The educational speech Keira presented to the student body not only captured everyone’s interest here, but eventually that of the local media,” OLS Principal Mary Jane Dorn said. “Before we knew it, she was sharing her story through the national media. Because of her efforts, there are so many other people who can now see how some autistic children can become a part of an academic and social school setting.”

Keira’s story was shown on ABC 33/40, ABC News online, ABC World News Tonight and on The Huffington Post.

“It is overwhelming to think that her school speech has reached so many others,” said Sarah Charles, Keira’s mother. “She sometimes calls her autism her superpower. I don’t think she realizes that her willingness to share her ‘superpower’ with others’ has given hope to those who may not be able to speak for themselves.”

Kiera and her classmates also wrote notes to the Alabama senators who are actively involved in an Autism Insurance Reform bill. 

– Submitted by Mary Stephens Pugh.