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Keaton’s Story: The Surprise Uniqueness of Autism

A Little Bit Over the Foot

Introduction

My name is Mark Keaton Hanks. I was born on May 29, 1992, in Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia. My family lived in Bedford, Virginia at the time. I have a form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome. Some say the autism was caused by a shot I received around nine-months of age containing mercury as the preservative; we really do not know. This passage from the Bible is important to me as a guiding light for my life. “For I know the plan I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

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