05/19/2026
Does everyone have a purpose in life? That was the question posed recently by one of our neurodivergent friends in their early twenties.
I don’t know whether it’s the answer itself, or the reason behind the question, that deserves the most thought.
Why would someone ask that? What messages have they heard throughout their life? Maybe no one ever directly told them they lacked purpose, but perhaps it came through all the things they were told they couldn’t do. Maybe it was in the moments they were made to feel like a bother, or when others assumed they wouldn’t understand. Maybe they were clumsy and heard, “I can do this better myself,” enough times that they were left feeling unwanted, unneeded, or without purpose.
Some of the most meaningful moments over the past few years have been watching our friends receive opportunities — chances to discover purpose. We’ve seen it through interests they wanted to grow in, skills they wanted to develop, friendships they wanted to build, and opportunities to help others. Purpose can be found in many different ways, but often it begins when someone is given the opportunity, patience, encouragement, and mentorship to grow.
The easy answer to the question is yes — everyone has a purpose. The harder part is the intentional effort required from others to help our friends discover it.
Thank you to everyone who partners with us in making it possible to answer that question with confidence: “Yes, you have purpose — and we want to help you find it.”
