AUTUMN DENISTON

AKRON  — “I have cerebral palsy,” stated Autumn Deniston of Akron. “I can walk short distances with a walker, but much of my time is spent in my wheelchair. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity and the Akron Community, I now live in a home that’s handicap accessible.”

In 2009, Deniston’s mother spotted a flyer in the Akron library. “It was an application for a Habitat home,” Deniston explained. “My mother took it with her and filled it out.”

Will and Maria Deniston, Autumn’s parents, put in 1,000 hours of work for Habitat to earn the house. “It took nine months to build,” Deniston shared. “I watched the community pitch in and help in all kinds of weather. They worked through the snow and cold of winter. That touched my heart.”

In July 2010, the Denistons were ready to move in. “There are elevated sidewalks in the front and back and the doorways are wide enough for my wheelchair. But I think my favorite part of the house is the handicap accessible bathroom. In our old house, I needed assistance. In the new one, I can pretty much make it on my own.”

Deniston is a 2013 graduate of Tippecanoe Valley High School. “Right now, I’m working on my life skills. My goal is to someday live independently. I believe that everyone needs a goal for their lives, especially those who have a disability. It keeps us going and gives us a reason to get up in the morning with a smile on our faces.”

One of Deniston’s hobbies is writing stories. “One of them is a bit autobiographical,” she confided. “I describe a little girl starting preschool who is in a wheelchair. She has struggles and fears at first. Then she’s trying to figure out how to adapt to a school setting with as much normalcy as possible. But she meets friends and they help out. Soon she’s an important part of the group.”

Deniston’s friends at Tippecanoe Valley helped her become an important part of their group. “I was well-accepted in school. That’s what I truly love about the Akron community. We’re a close-knit group. We can depend on one another and even lean on one another from time to time.”

Although she feels accepted and loved, Deniston admitted life can be scary for those in a wheelchair. “Nobody should be treated like they are different. We all have feelings and are human beings. I’m the type of person who enjoys going to parties, but can become shy at first. I love hanging out with friends, though.”

Being part of a close-knit family, Deniston enjoys movie night with her parents and 12-year-old brother Keenan. “We also take family vacations. This past summer we went to Tennessee. We’ve also been to Alabama and Florida. One of the high points of Florida was visiting Gatorland and tasting my first batch of gator nuggets. We’ve also been to Disney World and Cocoa Beach there.”

In addition to writing stories, Deniston also keeps a bucket list: “I want to travel around the world. I want to meet Josh Groban. I want to visit the White House and I want to have a book published.”

Deniston concluded, “One of the best gifts I’ve ever received is our new home. The community showed they cared by coming out and working hard and I’m very grateful.”