PARADIS — R. J. Vial Elementary School in Paradis recently welcomed a guest speaker from Canada who presented a powerful message of inspiration to the faculty, staff, student, and visitors.

April is Autism Awareness Month, and Jason Riley and his son Austin shared a presentation encouraging students to follow their dreams no matter how big or small; no matter how possible or likely.

Austin Riley is a Go-Karter from Canada who is realizing his lifelong dream and is becoming the first person with Autism to drive an open-wheeled formula car around Road Atlanta and attend and graduate the prestigious Skip Barber racing school with Autism.

Jason Riley ended with, “Only when you do this, can you really start to live your life the way you are meant to. Just because you have Autism, it doesn’t mean you can’t do great things.”