Meet Luke, a charismatic 20-year-old from Charlotte, NC. Luke currently attends Winthrop University through the WinthropLIFE Program and views every day as an opportunity to better himself.
This dreamer lives with autism and over the years has developed a great deal of tenacity, along with resilience to help overcome challenges. However – his anxiety surrounding social interactions impacts his quality of life and prevents him from embracing moments that could bring him joy. Despite the struggles, Luke found his community and a safe space in America’s pastime.
For Luke Perez, it’s always been baseball. He grew up idolizing his older brother and the sport created a one-of-a-kind bond between them. Their relationship fostered a love for the game and the NY Yankees! The baseball field is where Luke feels most comfortable and part of the reason that he aspires to become a baseball coach.
Even though Luke may accomplish developmental and societal milestones a little differently than his peers, his autism has helped him see life from a unique perspective. Luke admires Major League ball players of high moral character and integrity. His ultimate dream come true would be to meet Aaron Judge – the Yankees phenom who embodies those values!
