Meet the Class of 2021: Antonio Milane, Paloma Valley High School, Perris Union High School District

A few months ago, Paloma Valley High School senior, Antonio Milane, was accepted into his dream school, Stanford University. At first, he was on top of the world – but then he realized he might not be able to attend. Stanford University was unwilling to provide him access to a scribe for assignments deeming his accommodation for his disability as a “personal preference.” Simply put, Antonio would be unable to attend Stanford and achieve his goals without the assistance of someone to take notes for him in his class—something that would be impossible to complete for a young man who cannot write.

When Antonio Milane was born, doctors dubbed him a ‘miracle child.’ During his birth, complications arose, and he suffered massive brain damage. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. For ten minutes, his heart stopped, and the doctors rushed to revive him. While surviving, Antonio was in a completely vegetative state. In addition, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy along with epilepsy—both of which are neurological disorders. Doctors told his mother that his brain damage would never heal, and he would be stuck in a vegetative state for the rest of my life.

Antonio was determined to change his fate. Throughout his entire childhood, he endured thousands of hours of therapy. He had no real childhood as his disability isolated him from others. It was hard for other students to understand why he could not talk or move like them.

However, Antonio’s inner fire guided him throughout his academic career as he frequently struggled to receive the proper accommodations. Battles about obtaining a scribe started in elementary school and continue today.

Teachers consistently congratulated him on his intelligence; however, he would fall behind because of his inability to write. His motor difficulties were never an excuse to underperform or give up on any task and in high school. And now, Antonio is headed to Stanford University as a figure of purpose, hope, and advocacy.