Marty Murphy (Mouse to her friends) lives in McLean County. She is Forty-one years old and has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Born and raised near Heyworth, Illinois. Marty struggled through school because of her disability and the lack of services or understanding from either the teachers or administrative staff. With support from her parents, Marty has overcome many obstacles that have stood in her way.

She studied Sociology at Illinois Wesleyan University, but did not complete her education there because of the lack of any kind of a support system for disabled students. Discovering that the University of Arizona had a program for learning disabilities of all sorts (the S.A.L.T program) she moved to Tucson and attended the U of A, where she graduated with a degree in Sociology/Criminological Research and minors in Psychology and Archaeology. She also attended Pima College in Arizona and specialized in deaf education.

After completing studies at the University of Arizona, Marty moved to Los Angeles to attend California State University/Northridge which was also suppose to have a good program for learning disabled students, but this turned out not to be the case. She dropped out due to the same type of problems she experienced at IWU and she took a job writing reports for a security company. When the Northridge earthquake struck the Los Angeles area, Marty’s office was just ½ mile from the epicenter, and her home sat on the liquefaction area of Venice Beach. This, coupled with the Los Angeles riots that had occurred just a few years before, proved to be too much of an emotional roller coaster and Marty moved back to Illinois to be with her family.

Shortly after her return to Illinois, Marty traveled to County Cork, Ireland to attend Ballymaloe Culinary School. While there she had an accident that forced her return back to McLean County. After several months of recovery that included surgery and pins in her leg, she went to the Dutch West Indian Island of St. Maarten to work as a chef onboard the scuba vessel Caribbean Explorer. Work, as a chef in a galley did not turn out as expected. The galley was situated in the heart of the ship, instead of the quiet solitary place she expected. Marty stayed for several months but eventually found it necessary to return to America. Although the job did not turn out as expected, Marty did advance her scuba diving certificate to the level of advanced diver near the Dutch Island of Saba.

Marty then returned to McLean County where she took a job at Anderson Financial Network, Inc. (AFNI), where she is currently employed as a Recovery Support Associate in the collections department.

Marty is actively involved in the Autism Society of McLean County; and has proven to be a gift to the organization. By writing articles for the newsletter and attending the Parent Support Groups she has been able to provide parents and educators valuable insight into the world of autism.

Marty now gives presentations across the state on how autism affects her. She consistently receives outstanding evaluations, leaving audiences with a greater insight into autism and a better understanding of the supports that many individuals need to fully participate in our schools and community.

Although Marty gives presentations, she still faces challenges with verbal communication on days that are more difficult for her. During those times she communicates primarily through sign language, pictures or writing. Marty still faces many challenges with sensory issues, self-stimulating behavior, and sleeping through the night. Although all of these things are difficult, she has, with great reluctance, learned to accept that they are a part of the disability that she has.

Defying the odds that were against anyone born with autism 40 years ago, Marty is a true inspiration to all families affected by autism. She stands up for herself, her disability, and the children she meets who live on the spectrum. She has found many things that she thoroughly enjoys including the relationships she has developed with the families and friends in the autism community and spending time each year at Camp Awareness for Autism in Noblesville, Indiana. Marty is a member of the board of The Autism Society of McLean County and the Autism Society of Illinois.