Growing up my exceptions beyond my disability is to aim high because I have the potential
Many around me especially society have low exceptions of people with disabilities like myself.
People have told me things about my future that would be impossible in my situation. For a while now I find myself reflecting on my life in my young days, Mostly as a kid and teenager. I knew myself as just a person with a disability over time I made excuses for myself. I often said due to my disability I can't or never will achieve or have somethings like others who to the world is define as perfect. What is normal anyway? Today I question that more then ever.
From a very young age. I wanted to create my own path. I clearly remember a day in middle school telling my parents. I want to go to a trade school and earn skills to implement into my interest while i still get educated with power of knowledge within an high school diploma.. i was encouraged to go to high school and i did.. graduated and everything..
Once I graduated my life slowly started to realize I have a disability. Yes! I have wheels! I can choice to limit myself or just continue to wheel on with my life. Since then I have been doing a lot of discovering and venturing out. I discovered my happiness and purpose and non stop dreams to be a change maker and roI le model for youth and those with disabilities. I was interested in perusing a career after high school but when that didn't happen I accepted my college choice and enrolled.
College was/is not hard.. It's what I consider a demand.. I often struggle to find interest in college i find that although knowledge is power what i always knew i need was to learn skills to do the job of any career i would go for..
I took courses/training within the field of disability and advocacy in which i earned a certificates one is from Partners in Policy-making where I became a well trained and educated advocate for people with disabilities and their families
I started to get involved more serve at the table where i know my voice is needed every where needs a sense of representation in terms of advocating for the youth, inclusion and diversity
To keep myself at peace during my college journey I do things that makes me happy like going to schools to speak to students about the the work that i do or even if it's just to to share my personal journey with them. During my years or many semesters at Kings-borough Community College I got involved on campus took part on panels for new students with disabilities, disability awareness month events and I even was chosen to become a student ambassador.
Despite having to go through a few transitions from taking classes online at a new college.. I competed my 1st semester towards my Bachelors degree and the following semester rolls into the start of the semester.. i broke down over and over and one day enough was enough I with draw from the classes and many questioned what was going on? When was I going back to college etc.It felt like my decision I failed those around me hit me even more. I was very happy doing what I was doing as Ms Wheelchair NY 2018.and knew i was going to continue doing so after my reign ended My funding through Access VR for my tuition had ended they provided the main source of funding to pay my tuition..
I often heard many days about how I needed to go to bed early.. Understandable.. by the reasons my parents care for my needs at night but college world can be very different and sometimes i focus better being in my own world. So when my attendants comes from 8-4 or their schedule time I give them their time with me to get my needs done and then I give myself time just thinking about these things i face in order to get an college degree or function day to day really broke me in pieces.. Besides the thoughts I live on a fixed income.. i can't afford college.. how will my tuition get paid?
I begin searching for a career to be able to pay for college and still waiting to be called for interviews..
If I don't earn a college degree . to society or those around me I wouldn't be considered successful to me following what your heart desires is what defines success. i am would no longer say i am sorry for choosing my own path.
to feel like i am being productive with my day i decided to enroll back to college near MY HOME AND LESS STRESSFUL TRAVELING
To be officially told in writing after reviewing my records i'll i need to complete is college math to get my college degree and for that I decided to move forward and finish my associates degree \
i am becoming unapologetic to the woman i am becoming and choosing to live my life through all aspects despite my disability cerebral palsy i am in it to win and no longer making excuses on why i am not thriving in certain chapters in my life
I have dreams and goals for my future . I am going to live it from now on. Living through my vision, my passion and dreams
this is me- journey to say i am beautiful i have my dreams and life to live.. lets carry on
i am no longer sorry about the things i face.i am telling my story because hey its life
this is only the beginning
