Matthew Kenslow was six years old when he received an Autism diagnosis, but he never allowed it to have the prerogative to stop him. He persevered through the challenges of student teaching and is now a substitute teacher who loves encouraging his students. He is also an influencer, juggler and author who shares his true story in his new book, Unstoppable: How One Person With Autism Is Never Giving Up on His Lifelong Dream To Become a Teacher and Worldwide Influencer.

Kenslow wants his students and readers alike to know that regardless of disability, they can do whatever they set their mind to. He even incorporates juggling into this lesson for his students. “When I juggle, I drop one on purpose and say, ‘OK, what do you do if you make a mistake? Do you give up? No, just bend down, pick it up and keep going,’” Kenslow said in a recent interview.

Unstoppable takes readers on a gripping story of how one man faced Autism head-on, persevering through discrimination in his own neighborhood, all the while not being given a full range of opportunities. He chronicles his highs and lows with candor, as he walks readers through what life is really like for people who are neurodivergent.

After years of feeling underused, misunderstood and invisible, Kenslow went on to tackle one of the most rigorous programs in California to obtain his teaching credentials. Kenslow is currently a substitute teacher in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, as he awaits landing a full-time teaching position. Unquestionably, he has made an impact on thousands of students, often being called the “best sub.”

“All I care about in life is making a difference — encouraging everybody that they have a purpose (despite a disability),” Kenslow added. “I want to do my part to help people put aside discrimination and competition, and learn to accept one another for who they are.”