In my last article, I wrote about what it was like to be a disabled college student along with most of the obstacles I deal with daily. When I first started college at SUNY Old Westbury, a lot of things had to be changed and adapted for me. I had to get used to a new environment and the new environment had to adapt to someone like me. In my previous article, I didn't really acknowledge everything that people have done for me thus far. Big or small, everything that people have done and continue to do for me has touched me immensely.
The facilities staff goes above and beyond their jobs to make sure I have everything I need to learn and be comfortable at the same time. They also placed automatic doors on Bursar, Registrar and the Health Center to make it possible for me to travel to these locations independently. I appreciate everything they have done and continue to. I look forward to working with them to assist in making campus even more accessible.
I thank all of the professors who have gone above and beyond to help me succeed in class from helping me draw graphs (and actually hand making graphs themselves so I could see it properly #perceptualissues) to making sure I had a fair chance when I took the midterm and final. I also thank them for waiting with me for the UPD to find me during a fire drill. There's so much more that professors have done for me in my short time here, but if I were to name them all, I could probably write a short novel. I appreciate all of the motivation, time and genuine care everyone has shown me. It may not seem like a big deal, but trust me, it is.
Thank you OSSD (Office of Services for Students with Disabilities) for everything. A big shout out to the director Stacey Defelice who has always been there for all of her students. There is no one else I would rather have as a "partner in crime," and I can't wait to go around campus with you to see what other areas we can adjust together. I wouldn't be as successful as I currently am without you. Thank you for always encouraging me to speak publicly. (I think I'm almost over my fear of public speaking.) As I always say, you're the MVP.
Another shout out to Veronica Gerosimo who has just recently made it possible for me to go on a commuter trip. I've always wanted to go on them, but just the thought of it would be a hassle with accessibility and all. I'm so excited to be going to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (I've never been there before), and I'm looking forward to all the memories we're going to make.
There are so many more offices and staff who I'm grateful to. Thank you for helping restore my faith in humanity, because sometimes it isn't always the greatest.
Peace, love and continue to make the world a better place.
