I don't have a story but I think any story of someone overcoming the odds is always a story worth being told and heard. I think stories like those a great motivators.
I would like to say my brother has severe ADD and he often in high school he had extreme difficulty with his homework assignments and tests. When he graduated from high school he was only able to read on a fifth grade level. Since then he has progressed significantly he is in his fourth semester in college and is majoring in graphic engineering and he has made no grades below a C since entering college. I am very proud of him because all of immediate family thought that he wasn't going to be able to go to college and be successful.
Holly,
It's great to hear that things worked out well, but sad to hear that your friend had to struggle for so long because of a procedural issue. The field of disability services has been undergoing some major internal changes in the past year (due to new guidance from the Feds and so on). I would hope that under the changes now in place at many institutions, the next student would be more readily recognized and assisted than was your friend.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
My story involves a fellow student and my friend who is dyslexic. When enrolling in our program my friend was not able to show where she had been diagnosed because the institution that had done the testing burnt down and the records no longer exsisted. She had a lot of difficulty with written tests but was still able to squeek by until she was able to get retested. The school helped her find an institution that would do the testing she needed. When she finally was able to get retested and rediagnosed she was approximately halfway through our program. At that point she was given the opportunity to change to a different cirriculum and term length. She has successfully graduated from the program and is well on her way to getting her state licensure.
I have not experienced any thing like this yet, but reading these stories is so uplifting and encouraging.
Christopher,
A perfect example of both how and why accommodations are provided. Isn't modern technology wonderful?!? GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I had a student who volunteered the information and provided the documentation the she was dyslexic. We were concerned that although she would be able to perform the hands on skills to carry out the physicians orders there was concern she would not be unable to understand the information in the textbook or in the physicians written order because at times we would have to read test questions to her and when we did, she had no trouble providing the correct answer. Eventually, through text to speach software and a device provided by a local university she was able to understand both and since graduation has been very successful working in a physicians office. There were many times when we thought she would fail but once provided with the appropriate accomodation she did exceptionallly well.
Sara,
It is always good to hear stories about people who succeed through sheer guts and determination. It sounds as though your friend had something more. The success he achieved in the military may have given him both the confidence and the focus needed to push himself to new highs.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I have a dear friend who somehow managed to graduate (private) high school even though he was practically illiterate due to his dyslexia. Through his strong sense of will-power and drive, he joined the Navy and became a revered member of the military. He just graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. Though he still isn't the strongest reader, he reads on a college level.
Don,
I love hearing those kinds of stories -- students with (what seem to others) obvious barriers to participation in a given field who prove themselves more than capable of doing what's important, just through a different route!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I am a CDL "commercial truck driver" instructor.
I had a student who was missing his left hand.
I was very pleased to instruct him and see how he was able to overcome any issues before him.
He received his CDl and was cleared by the DOT and is on the road today.
I have also encountered students that have various disabilities either physical or in learning .These students have worked hard to achieve their goals despite there issues.Because they were given the chance.
Kristina ,
Wow! That is one of the bet testimonials I have ever read for a student with a disability -- the idea that the young woman was not only every bit as good at MT as her sighted colleagues but, perhaps, even better because she made use of information that others didn't bother with because THEY could see. Thanks for sharing, Kristina!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I do not have any stories to share in my admissions career yet but I was a manager of a massage clinic and we had a young lady who was blind come and become a therapist there. We all were very skeptical of how this would work, not for her, but for clients and other MTs. Two weeks after her being there, we thought she was the best thing ever! Her detailed routine showed us that just because we have our sight, we can miss small details that could be right in front of us. Her keen attention to detail made her a highly requested MT...she wansn't massaging with just her hands, she was massaging with her soul and that's what made her massages one of a kind.
Camille,
Those are the kind of stories we like to hear. It would be interesting to know what kind, if any, accommodations he worked out for himself so that he could interact comfortably with his clients and make sure he was giving them what they wanted. Any hints?
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I met with a hearing impaired student who was interested in pursuing a career in the cosmetology field. His passion for the beauty industry, as well as his determination to succeed was inspiring and really made me think. He did not let his disability hold him back in any way and his desire to start and finish the program allowed me to know he was going to make a name for himself in the industry.
Frances,
That's a wonderful story of success, and an encouraging message for us all. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I had a young lady in a Research Class which I taught. She was of an extremely short stature, heavyset, and had difficulties with her weight-bearing joints. This was prior to when UD became universally recognized and the building we were located in had one elevator, 3 flights of stairs, and long waiting lines to use the elevator.
However, come rain or shine, this student that used a bus for transportation mounted the tall steps of the bus to reach her destination, climbed those flights of stairs because she was determined never to be late for class, and participated in my class in an exceptional manner.
She had issues with her teeth - and was embarrassed to do oral presentations of her research, but she did it with good grace and exceptional poise while standing for extended lengths of time.
Her program of study was in Business. She finally had to take a leave of absence to be fitted with leg braces to enable her to still get about comfortably. She did not have the option of get knee replacement at that time with no insurance available to her.
After the fitting and adjustment to using the braces, she returned to finish her coursework. She graduated with a 3.5 GPA, found employment with a bank in Maryland as a teller/assistant loan officer.
Over the years, I have heard from her occasionally. She has been doing well in her chosen profession, has been able to get surgery on her knees and her teeth fixed. She is now losing weight to alleviate problems from weight-bearing.
She's come a long way baby!! Why did I know she could - because I have always believed you can achieve if you believe and encouraged my students to see it that way. Support and encouragement can go a long way.
I know, because you see, I'm 4'6" and have had weight-bearing issues, also. I have early-stage osteoporosis, but I still work and shall continue to do so as long as possible. So you see, don't ever 'judge a book by it's cover', as you can be deceived if you do.
Keep on believing-----
Yolanda,
And THAT is what equal access and federal disability law is all about! GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I had a student who had some disabilities but who was determined to not let his disabilities derail his success. With some extra effort and assistance from some outside community agencies, he was able to complete his program as well as become gainfully employed. It is a true testament that anyone who is determined to complete their goals can do so with the right motivation, determination, guidance and assistance.
