Eric Blessed Carpenter Grantham’s journey to advocate for those with invisible disabilities began with a personal struggle and has blossomed into a passionate mission to make a difference. As a young man with autism, Eric understands the challenges of living with a condition that often isn’t immediately visible to others. This unique perspective drives him to help others who face similar struggles, aiming to change perceptions and provide support for those who might be misunderstood or judged based on outward appearances.

Eric’s commitment to this cause started when he was a child, sharing his fears with his mother, Linda. He didn’t want people to know about his disability because he was concerned about facing judgment. However, Linda’s unwavering support helped him find his voice and become an advocate for people like him.

“We are amazing people and I just want to tell the world, we might be different but we are greatly different,” Eric said. This statement captures his belief in the inherent value of every individual, regardless of their differences.

In 2020, Linda’s attention, like many others, was drawn to the tragic death of George Floyd, which sparked her awareness of another pressing issue. She began to notice the alarming trend of individuals with disabilities, particularly people of color, being subjected to violence when interacting with law enforcement. This realization prompted a crucial conversation between Linda and Eric about how to handle encounters with police, especially for those with sensitivities like loud noises.

“He started to cry,” Linda recalled. “He said ‘I can do that [mom] but the police would shoot my friends’ and that’s when it became a reality that something needed to be done.”

The Granthams recognized that while some states, like New Jersey, had implemented protections for individuals with invisible disabilities, Maryland lacked such measures. Motivated by this gap, Eric felt a strong calling to advocate for autism and other invisible disabilities. He and his mother conceptualized a plan to address this issue through legislative action.

Their idea, which they named “Eric’s ID Law,” aimed to create special identification logos that could be added to various forms of ID. These logos would serve as a communication tool to help others understand and accommodate the needs of individuals with autism or other disabilities.

“For example, if we were to go into the library and you get your library card and you were to get Eric’s logo put on that library card, they would already know this person has autism, or this person has mental health or this person is hearing impaired and would need assistance in the library or the store,” Linda explained. The logos included a letter “A” made of puzzle pieces to represent autism and a green silhouette of a head with a heart symbolizing mental health.

Their proposal quickly gained traction as they presented it to local and state leaders. Montgomery County Council President Andrew Friedson, Senator Chris Van Hollen, and others expressed support, but it was Senator Will C. Smith who provided the critical push needed to move the bill forward. After meeting with Eric, Senator Smith agreed to draft and sponsor the bill.

Eric was both surprised and thrilled when Senator Smith agreed to support his initiative. “It’s real,” he said. “It’s really shocking. I would’ve neer thought to get a bill written after my name. We have so many people involved in what we’re doing.”

Despite the positive feedback, the Granthams have faced opposition from some quarters. Linda attributes this resistance to a lack of understanding about the realities faced by those with invisible disabilities. “I think it comes from ignorance,” she said. “They don’t understand you know to see someone like my son to be killed in the street or being beaten in the street because they have an invisible disability. It’s different for them. It’s not your people. It’s our people.”

For those who have met Eric and witnessed his dedication firsthand, the support for the initiative has been unwavering. “It’s because of my friends I’m doing this and people like me because we deserve to live,” Eric asserted. “This is his true passion,” Linda added. “To make a difference in the world.”

Eric’s advocacy is also deeply rooted in his faith, which he believes guides his mission. “I put God first and I thank him for Eric’s ID Law,” he said.

The Granthams are now eagerly awaiting the next steps for the bill, which is expected to include a hearing between January and February. Their vision is to have the identification logos included on driver’s licenses, school and college IDs, library cards, and other forms of membership. They are also calling on the community to show support by sending letters advocating for this important cause.