At first glance, Devan Beadle might seem like any other student at Owens Community College in his final semester before receiving his Associate’s Degree. He’s juggling classes, part-time work, and plans for the future.
But for those who know his story, this is anything but ordinary. Devan, a young man with autism and severe sensory processing disorder, has overcome challenges that once made the mundane of everyday life feel impossible. Today, he is not only thriving at Owens but also carving out a path toward his dreams.
Devan’s world has always revolved around the things he loves most. His favorite films—The Avengers, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Shawshank Redemption—have inspired essays and conversations, including a paper he wrote for class on Top Gun: Maverick. He still lights up when talking about the two times he’s seen Taylor Swift in concert.
High school had its share of challenges for Devan. But he was undeterred. He was on the bowling team, once rolling a high game of 225, in the marching band, and made the honor roll all four years.
College has become a place of discovery and confidence for Devan. “He wishes he could attend Owens every day," said Teresa Boraginna, his Service & Support Specialist at Lucas DD. "He has done so much that many did not believe he would do.”
He has performed in nearly every school play. Earlier this year, he received the Trio Award—a prestigious Ohio honor given to individuals who go beyond expectations in education. “It’s just the experience,” Devan says about his time at Owens. “Working here is a cool thing to do.”
Devan’s commitment extends beyond campus. At Otterbein Sunset Village, he works as a culinary server, carrying trays to residents’ rooms, taking out trash, and helping in the kitchen.
Support from his family, his counselors, and programs like Brain Bright have helped him navigate setbacks—including workplace misunderstandings and the difficulty of transitioning into adulthood. But Devan himself is the driving force. “Life is not very easy,” he admits, “but you gotta stick with it and keep up with the work.”
That hard work has not gone unnoticed.
“Devan's journey exemplifies the incredible impact of dedication, hard work, and support,” says Ebony Ford, his vocational rehabilitation counselor with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. “He has not only excelled in his role at Otterbein Village but has also balanced his commitment to academic excellence, maintaining an impressive 3.8 GPA while pursuing his Associate of Arts degree. It has been a privilege for us at OOD to be part of his support team as he advances in his career. We are excited to see what the future holds for him!"
For Devan, the goal is simple, even if the road there has been anything but. “I just want to be normal,” he says. Yet his definition of “normal” is one built on resilience, passion, and purpose—whether that’s serving residents at Otterbein or working toward his dream of becoming an instructor.
Devan’s journey is proof that obstacles don’t have to define a life. Instead, as he has shown, they can be steppingstones to a future that once felt out of reach.