When Fishbein was little and growing up in Philadelphia, his mother, Rachel Ezekiel-Fishbein, said he would hide under desks at preschool or have sudden outbursts. His teachers recommended that he get tested for developmental and behavioral conditions.
It took many doctors to arrive at a diagnosis of Tourette syndrome, which is a lifelong neurological disorder that often involves uncontrolled repetitive movements or unwanted sounds and verbal outbursts, known as tics or tic attacks.
With a diagnosis in hand, Fishbein was able to get accommodations at school. Federal laws require schools to provide education services to students with disabilities.
“Sometimes, it looked like extended time on tests or a separate room for testing so I could focus better and tic,” he said. “Sometimes it meant being able to take a break because I needed to tic.”
He also became a Tourette syndrome youth ambassador and spent time visiting other schools, churches and other places in the community to educate people about the disorder and dispel common stereotypes and misconceptions.
But as Fishbein got older and approached adulthood, Rachel and her husband, Joel Fishbein, said they still worried about what options their son would have when it came to higher education, eventual career prospects and his long-term independence.
“There were times when we didn’t know what his future would look like, and that was really scary,” Rachel said. “We had family support and we were able to get him what he needed, but you think, that’s not the way this might have ended up.”
That’s what made Fishbein’s acceptance to American University especially sweet, they said, as they saw their son overcome challenges, continue his advocacy work through college and really thrive.
He graduated with a master’s degree in public administration.
Their pride grew as Fishbein began working as a federal disability policy advisor, volunteering in his community at a dog rescue and as a youth soccer coach, joining an a capella group and starting a relationship with his girlfriend.
“He would say to Joel and I, ‘I can’t believe this is my life. I just can’t believe the life I have, I’m so happy. I never thought my life would look like this,’” Rachel said.