She's special

     It's that time of year again, where classes are starting up. Every semester I am given a new set of teachers and every semester a new set of challenges. Sometimes the most challenging thing is to receive the proper disability accommodation in any given class. Sometimes its a struggle to access an appropriate note taking system, other times it's a matter as simple as trying to access my curriculum in an appropriate way from the front of the classroom, given my visual impairment. I know what's appropriate to ask for and what isn't, but sometimes professors have a different idea in mind. Most semesters I run into a least one professor who isn't flexible. This semester's problem is note taking.

     When I originally requested disability services at the college I'm attending, one of the accommodations I was given was a note taker. Even back in high school I never had a note taker. There was typically a paraprofessional in my classroom taking notes for another individual and I had access to the notes, but it wasn't in my IEP. The paraprofessional was able to help me fill in the minute details that I would miss and I was allowed to use a recording device for audio. That was it. Now that I'm in college and have specific labels, I automatically get specific services, one being the notetaker.

     This semester, I have some professors that are strict about use of note taking devices in their classes. I prefer to take my own notes via my computer and microsoft word. I really don't like trying to decipher notes that other people have taken. On the first day of classes, I sat in on a class where the teacher insists that if you use a computer, you must sit in the back. That's all fine and well for most, but I also have a visual impairment and must sit in the front row. When I brought this to the teacher's attention I was asked, "what do I tell the other students, when they ask?" Fortunately, I am extremely open about things, but that is extremely awkward none the less. I feel like the only thing the teacher could say is, "she's special".

     Over the years I have been extremely open about my disabilities, but in the past it has been difficult to explain things to my peers. It's not a secret if you have a disability, but people don't know how to take it when they are told you have one. Most of the time, they just back off as if your some sort to of alien. When I asked the question, I really didn't know what to think about the situation. As of right now, I have dropped the class for other reasons. In the meantime I still have other classes where computers aren't allowed to be used and I still face the same difficulty with peers. As of right now, it looks like my teacher's are just going to tell people I'm special. It doesn't feel right, but I don't know what to say.

New Year, New Beginning

     It has been forever since I have blogged here (publicly). The past year has been an emotional roller coaster like I haven't experienced before, but things are looking up. This past year, I made Dean's list for spring and fall, my resident's coordinator moved to Scotland, I became a social mentor (opposed to mentee last year), I got accepted into the OT program and attended to school trips to NY and DC. There has been learning, growing, laughing and crying. I'm going to kick this year off with a photo update!!!

Started the year off with a presentation from John Ratzenberger. Our school just celebrated its centennial in 2014 and this was on of the guest speakers! 

Traveled to NY in March or a spring break trip with friends to serve the Habitat for Humanity of Westchester

L Graduated from high school and I ran into an old high school teacher of mine. I don't think my brother would be happy if I posted his picture here. :) 

Went to Applebee's on Laura's Birthday and got huge pitchers of water as a joke since she drinks a lot of water. Laura you are a rock star and we love you!!! 

Went to wingfest with E! This is how I spent most Wednesday's with a friend and it was a great way to get out of the house! 

Spent most weekends at local state parks walking and talking on the nature trails. 

Spent many days this summer at the Arboretum with family and sometimes even friends! 

Reunited with Laura before I had to travel back to school! She came to get ice cream at the Creamery and stop by to say hello since I had to work

Susquehanna Valley Fall retreat! We partnered up with two other Cru campuses for an awesome get together. 

Went to pick out a Christmas tree! This was the first time Grandma was able to come with us to pick it out! 

Said goodbye to my resident coordinator for the past two years. He has helped me adjust to college and overcome some of the obstacles of Asperger's 

Accepted into the OT program at school. It took a year and a half to do so and it was worth every second! 

Finished the year with a trip to D.C. with Cru for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference!