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Justin Dart, Jr. Center for Students with Disabilities Newsletter

Student Perspectives

This issue of CSD News is in a different format than previous issues. The primary perspectives presented in this issue are from students who receive CSD services, rather than from me or other writers.

The following personal perspectives were written by UH students who have a variety of disabilities. Although the title of each perspective is the primary disability of the writer, please recognize that this is only for educational purposes. CSD sees the person first, and their disability or disabilities is only a small part of that individual.

We hope the following perspectives will help readers to understand some of the subjective experiences of others on the UH campus.

Cheryl Amoruso, Director, CSD

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Paranoid Schizophrenia

I am a student who has a mental illness. I have Paranoid Schzophrenia. I carry this label and the stigma of it, wherever I go. I have come to accept my disability, my disease, for what it is. It is different than having a disability that everyone can see. Unless I tell a person about my disability, they would never know by looking at me.

While I have been a student at UH, I have encountered many professors, administrative faculty and staff, and thousands of fellow students. I am proud to say that I have not once had an unpleasant experience. This institution and all of its people have been warm and open with me.

There are a few faculty and administrative people who have given me support and opportunities I would never have expected to receive. These people are outstanding in their own ways and all have my deepest gratitude. They are Dr. Laura Vailas, Dr. Simon Bott, Dr. Arch Reid, Dr. Shuhab Khan, Dr. Ian Evans, Dr. Mike Murphy, Dr. Janice Harper and Dr.Vern Paulsen.

When I was asked to write this article, one of the questions I was asked was "What advice would you give to a student with a disability like yours?" I would say to trust your professors to be sympathetic to your needs and use all of the accommodations that the university has to offer. Do not give in to the impulse to isolate yourself from everyone else. Do not feel sorry for yourself, and most important of all, DO NOT QUIT!

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Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

My disability impacts every minute of my life. I was paralized after a cervical spinal cord injury in an accident. My paralysis is such that I cannot hold a pen to write notes or to sign-in in class. Sometimes people do not realize the level of my paralysis because I can move my arms somewhat.

The extent of my disability drives me to get an education so that I will have all the resources to overcome the challenges inherent in the life I now live. Spending my days in a learning environment is a plus because many students, staff, and faculty understand the needs I have. However, a great many educated people still do not know how to interact with people who have disabilities.

All students who go through the rigors of earning an advanced education appreciate the many daily challenges that are encountered. These challenges are multiplied many times for a student who has a disability. Literally everything I do is a challenge. My disability is with me every moment of every day. It does not go away, like a headache, if I take an aspirin. My disability is not reduced if I take a nap. I cannot study or work hard enough to physically write my name. My disability is ever present.

These facts should not sadden but rather hearten the reader to realize that these challenges that I and other students like me who have a disability have do nothing but strengthen us. As I become stronger, more educated, more articulate, and more confident in my talents, my view of the world changes. I am ahead of the curve.

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Learning Disability

I am a UH student who has a learning disability. My specific disability, dysgraphia, is the writing part of dyslexia. This disability has made most of my academic career difficult. Upon entering UH I was pleased to learn about the Justin Dart, Jr. Center for Students with DisABILITIES (CSD). The disability-related counseling I receive at CSD has made my transition to the university easier.

Since being at UH, I have since found out that my disability has not only affected my writing but also my reading comprehension. It is reassuring to me to know that the disability-related accommodations and advocacy that I receive at CSD are helping me achieve academic success at UH.

I hope that other students with all types of disabilities at UH will become aware of and be encouraged by the services they receive at CSD. At CSD there are counselors who are willing to help students with all types of disabilities.

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Visual Impairment

Attending college with a severe visual impairment is a major challenge that creates a lot of opportunities to meet new people and learn about assistive technology. I knew from the start that I would have to be much more dedicated to my studies than most other students. Learning with the assistance of readers, tapes, and a computer that magnifies the print all take a lot more time than just picking up a book and reading.

I try to get my book lists from my intructors ahead of time so that I can make sure that if the books are not on tape, I can send them to Houston Taping for the Blind and Dyslexic. Getting books ahead of time is not always the case, and sometimes I have to scramble at the last minute to have my books recorded.

I dedicate a lot of time outside of class to my studies due to the fact that listening to tapes takes extra time. However, I keep my eyes on my goal, and when I graduate all of this will have been worth it.

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Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Being a student who has a disability at UH is a positive experience that far outweighs anything negative. At UH, interaction with my peers has been positive and constructive on many levels. My disability is "hidden." One would not know that I have as disability by just looking at me.

However, I have had to deal with some minor frustrations. One fellow student who knows I have a disability consistently remarks, "poor ____" during our conversations. As a result, I tend to stay away from him and stay around more positive students. Another frustration I have had was when I tried to clarify my concerns to a professor as to how my disability might affect a paper I would write. I was told "Well, I'm not going to give it to you" [a good grade]. I was not trying to get anything unreasonable, but I was just trying to give him some insight into my situation and how my paper might be affected by it. I could see that he was sympathetic, but unable to really grasp the issue I was trying to get across to him. I wrote the paper and still made an "A." To this day it is my favorite "A."

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Spotlight On...

Disabled Student's Association (DSA)

It has been written that what one person cannot accomplish alone, many people can together. The DSA is re-grouping under the leadership of Karl Hearne. Karl is extremely active in Student Government and is a strong advocate for the rights of individual students who have disabilities.

DSA WANTS YOU! If you ever thought that if you had the influence you could make some effective and needed changes for students who have disabilities on campus, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! Call Karl Hearne at the CSD office, 713-743-5400 and become an active member toward change! Together you can make a difference on campus for yourself and others! E-mail Dr. Marilyn Pustejovsky if you are unable to reach Karl at mrpustejovsky@uh.edu.

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