A gifted 11-year-old, who has overcome the limitations of disability to chase his dream of becoming a pediatric neurologist, has earned a spot to study biochemistry at Arizona State University.
Jimi Hernandez, who goes by “Monty,” has high-functioning autism, ADHD, a connective tissue disorder, and ascending aortic aneurism, a potentially life-threatening heart defect that requires surgery. However, despite his medical challenges, the preteen is also a calculus whizz and a member of the high-IQ society Mensa.
“Monty’s education, as well as other kids that are bright yet have challenges, is a difficult and touchy subject,” mom Danielle Roberts-Hernandez told The Epoch Times. “There are a lot of emotions that the subject brings up in us parents; there is a lot of rejection.”
Yet, after a disappointing false start with the Honor College at Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix, Monty’s potential was recognized by Arizona State (ASU). He'll be 12 when he graduates as a senior from Skyline High School in Mesa and becomes a biochemistry premed major.
“I never in a million years, prior to having kids, would have thought that people with disabilities have as much trouble receiving an education and being accepted as they do right now,” she wrote. “[Monty] is not perfect, but I was perfectly honest with GCU from the beginning.”
After meeting with GCU both virtually and in person, Danielle sent Monty’s transcripts and emailed the school’s disability center to find out which of his needs—including a scribe, extended testing time, and assistive technology—they could accommodate.
“Monty was dropped from their program 24 hours after making the request for accommodations,” said Danielle. “He had his classes and finances figured out, GCU had offered a $9,200 scholarship, and I paid the deposit for fall that they asked for. They cite this was due to his age ... this is so sad for him, and a step back for gifted kids with disabilities.”
“That’s what drove us to come to Arizona, is him being able to be on campus,” Danielle said. “He loves people, he loves lectures, he loves communication. He wants to be right there.”
The Mesa Skyline senior studies a lot and at the age of 9, he even aced a high school chemistry class, according to his mother.
Speaking to The Epoch Times, Danielle explained that she is now working with an education attorney to help make sure her son “receives what is fair for him to succeed.” Monty, she says, plans to start his own nonprofit practice one day to help others.
