'I want to be a rock star': Fairfax County teen doesn't let diagnosis dictate his future
Burke, Va. (WJLA) — A Fairfax County teen has dreams of becoming a rock star and he said he won’t let a pandemic or his disability stop him.
Jake Sizemore has talent.
You can see it in the way he plays guitar and hear it in the songs he sings, but there is something you can’t see.
“The doctor at Children’s who diagnosed him told me that he was so low functioning that I should start looking at institutions for him and that’s my two year old son and she’s telling me he doesn’t have a future,” Heizer said.
Rachna Heizer is Jake’s Mother.
She said to get that news was heartbreaking, but Jake didn’t let that diagnosis dictate his future.
Jake is autistic.
He is also a Senior at Lake Braddock high and part of a band called “Trio 111.”
His mother said when Jake is on stage his limitations melt away and the rock star shines.
Jake dreams of becoming a rock star and looks up to musicians like John Mayer.
He hopes to one day attend Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Jake is part of Trio 111 with Shane Woldow and Kevin Bull Jr.
“I have nothing but respect for Jake. He goes through so much and yet he always has a smile on his face every time he plays,” Woldow said.
During the pandemic the rock shows have stopped, but Jake is still performing for family and friends with a mask on.
“Music has been his ticket into friendships and into the world so it has saved his life,” Heizer said.
In his spare time he’s finding ways of connecting with loved ones while social distancing by writing hundreds of handwritten letters and sending them to family, friends and band mates.
“He really does see the good in everyone and everything,” Bull Jr. said.
Being away from in person school and performances has been hard for Jake, but he hopes the pandemic will end soon.
“I miss seeing them in person. I miss my friends a lot,” he said.
Jake's band "Trio 111" released their first EP "The Ridge" this year.
It is available on all streaming platforms.
To visit Jake Sizemore's website click here.
