LEESBURG, Fla. (Jan. 12, 2022) – Beacon College has awarded pop star and mental health advocate, Meredith O’Connor, with its Difference Maker award. O’Connor is an anti-bullying activist who uses music to raise awareness for mental health.
In the January episode of “A World of Difference”, a television show produced by the college, O’Connor shares how she has been able to use her platform to spotlight mental health and advocate for neurodiverse individuals. Living with ADHD and OCD herself, O’Connor was bullied in school for her appearance and learning differences. Those challenges, however, launched her career, first as a model and then as a singer-songwriter in the music industry. Diagnosed with learning differences at a young age, O’Connor is on a mission to prove that being different is an advantage, never a disadvantage. As she famously stated: “If you’re lucky enough to be different, don’t ever change.”
“A World of Difference” examines neurodiversity issues related to learning disabilities experienced from birth to adult years, using compelling storytelling, conversations with experts, viewer Q&As and interviews with successful individuals with learning differences of their own. In its first season, the program received honors from the Education Digital Marketing Awards and PR News’ CSR Diversity Awards and has expanded to broadcast television in Central and North Florida, airing weekly on WACX-TV, SuperChannel 55.
Other Season 2 Difference Makers include entrepreneur Daymond John (of “Shark Tank” fame), authors Avi and Jean Betancourt, and musician Ulysses Owens Jr. Topics discussed range from leveraging individual education plans to teaching neurodiverse students to embrace who they are.
To learn more about “A World of Difference” or watch the latest episode featuring Meredith O’Connor, visit www.AWODTV.org.
About Beacon College
Founded in 1989, Beacon College was the first college in the country accredited to award bachelor’s degrees exclusively to students with learning disabilities, ADHD and other learning differences. The College is committed to student success, offering academic and personal support services that help each student achieve their goals. Set in the hometown environment of Leesburg, Florida, amid beautiful lakes and close to Central Florida area attractions, students are able to experience community living within easy reach of the resources they need to flourish academically, professionally and socially. To learn more, visit www.beaconcollege.edu.
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