As a college student at KSU I have noticed multiple classmates that have mental or physical disabilities. Last semester I would even regularly see a student who was blind navigate through campus. It is always striking to me. Always.

Not the disability, the disability is not what is striking. I went to Kennesaw Mountain for high school (I’m also still in high school though…Dual Enrollment) and we have an established special needs program. I work at a grocery store, so I have multiple coworkers that have disabilities. I’m used to seeing other kids/people with certain struggles. I always try to watch out for them when I can. I am not any better for that. It is simply being a decent human being to hold the door for the blind man approaching it or tie the apron onto the coworker that can’t.

What is so striking to me about seeing these people at KSU is that they are so determined. They are so courageous. Yet they probably rarely receive any praise that isn’t from their family. Only looks.

I had a heartbreaking experience last week. Thursday in my science 1101 class, a student that struggled with apparent physical and possibly mental disabilities came in a little late. What can you expect from someone that has trouble walking? Anyway. The class was full because it is one of the huge ones with 200 people, and everyone comes in the beginning of the semester. As you can imagine, one would have to put effort into finding a seat.

It is even harder when you do not have the physical capabilities to climb over to the middle of a row. I was sitting in the second row, so I did not see this student come in late till the last minute. As I turn my head, I see a girl fighting to make her way down an isle while dragging a rolling bag behind her. I scrambled to move my stuff to the side in an attempt to figure out how to help, but at that point it was too late. She was already at the front and another student had pointed to an open spot on the front row.

If only I had sat in the back and seen her in the beginning. I promise I would have gotten up and given her my seat or at least helped her get to one. But no, about one hundred students in the back half of the auditorium decided to be a bystander. All of them watched her, not one person on the end of a row gave up their seat. No one got up to help, and I was crushed trying to find a way to make things right. Again, not because I am any kind of heroic, but because I sympathize with the students that have to fight for everything. They have to fight to simply walk up the row.

If you know someone that has disabilities, please encourage them. Help, but also respect their independence. If you see them in your classes, be there for them. They are going against something bigger than you can imagine. Offer to study with them, or just sit next to them and be friendly. Give the person with physical disabilities your seat. For the love of God, I do not want to see another girl limp down an auditorium isle.

If you are any kind of disabled and you still pursue education, even just slightly disabled (like you receive academic accommodations), please know that you are incredible. You inspire me, daily. God has given me the ability to succeed in school without much difficulty, and I still get discouraged. I still get overwhelmed. I still question whether the paper I wrote is any good, or if I failed the math test I just took. Yet you are here, and you have every excuse to give up or not go after post-secondary education. You have every excuse to do the bare minimum, because even the bare minimum is a fight. Going to college probably feels more like a war.

Please stay in the battle; we want to see you succeed. I want you to know that you have my support and other’s. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for help. Don’t be afraid to fail or fall short. Don’t be ashamed of any accommodations. You are a warrior.