Age: 14
Hometown: Portland, OR
Diagnosis: Autism
Shoe: Nike Vomero Plus
Should you ever find yourself lost in the woods, you can count on Molly Bell to save the day. Not only is Molly a skilled botanist who can identify all kinds of plants, she also has excellent archery skills and can build a campfire in record time.
This intelligent, nature-loving teen dreams of becoming a field biologist and traveling to the Amazon rainforest to study its rich biodiversity. Until then, she spends her time playing the piano, making intricate wood carvings and climbing the tallest trees she can find.
When Molly was in the first grade, she started speaking in a very distinct speech pattern with small pauses between words. Her parents also noticed other changes in her behavior; for instance, she had trouble transitioning between activities and had a hard time connecting with other kids.
While those traits might seem typical for many kids, they can also be signs of autism spectrum disorder – a neurodevelopmental condition that’s often misunderstood. Symptoms present as a wide range of behaviors that can impact how people think, process information and experience the world.
Molly clearly remembers when she was diagnosed with autism at Doernbecher last year. “I had to do a bunch of tests, but they were the fun kind that involve logic puzzles and action figures,” she explained. Molly took the news of her diagnosis in stride and says that knowing she’s autistic helps her understand herself a little better. “I actually think I have a normal amount of social awkwardness,” she joked.
To create her custom Nike Vomero Plus, Molly decided to channel her love for the great outdoors into every aspect of the design. That’s a Camas flower (her favorite) embroidered on the upper, and the Swoosh features a cool lenticular leaf print. A cloven hoof print appears on the outsole, and the midsole is speckled brown to hide any dirt you might pick up on the trail.
Of course, no outdoor enthusiast should be without a field guide, so Molly designed one just for you. “It’s got a hiking checklist so you won’t forget anything and places to write down all the cool things you see in the woods,” she said.
Most importantly, it’s got a quote from her favorite author, Robin Wall Kimmerer, that she hopes will guide you on life’s journey: The most important thing each of us can know is our unique gift and how to use it in the world.
“A hero is someone who helps all creatures and tries to make the world a better place. They don’t have to get along with everyone – they just have to do their best to help.”
