Breaking Barriers: The Drive to Beat Autism

Armani Williams is breaking the barriers that society has imposed on autistic people and shattering the stereotypes about the limitations that autism is ‘supposed’ to bring. As a professional NASCAR driver, engineer, and advocate for those with disabilities, he is challenging the stigma surrounding disabilities.
“We realized that the higher I went, we needed to figure out how to give back to the community.” Armani Williams and his family are committed to celebrating, not only Armani’s status as an admired NASCAR driver but also his autism in hopes that his fans might find the inspiration they need to reach great heights.
Armani is thankful to have the unconditional support of his parents as he defies the stereotypes surrounding autism. “It was a shock at the beginning, mostly [because it] was unknown. We didn’t know anything about autism.” Irena Politano was faced with a sense of uncertainty when Armani, her then two-year-old son, was diagnosed with autism. But now, over 18 years later, she looks at all he has accomplished professionally and personally and shares how she helped him reach his goals.
Mr. Williams has an important message to share, “Never let autism back you down from your dreams.”
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