An Attitude of Prevailing

(Ryerson University has established the Marian Chant Disability Studies Award for new and returning students in the Disability Studies program. This summer, six students received financial awards toward completing their degree. The criteria include "an openness to new ideas and approaches in the field of Disability Studies." At the awards ceremony, held July 12 at Ryerson, student Nola Millin spoke on behalf of all the recipients -- using a computer speech synthesizer.)

On behalf of the six recipients who have received these awards, I would like to thank Mrs. Chant for setting up the endowment fund that has generated these awards. I know, in my case, receiving this award means I am able to attend these courses without as much financial concern as I had before.

This Disability Studies program is very important to me. I was born with a physical disability. Early in life I learned I had a decision to make. I could accept my disability and be positive as I face the obstacles that get in my way. Or I could allow my disability to be my excuse for not attempting and accomplishing anything. Guess what, folks? I haven’t allowed my disability to stop me from doing too many things. Donny Osmond revealed an attitude I like when he said, "My father instilled in me the attitude of prevailing. If there’s a challenge, go for it. If there’s a wall, break it down." (Now I am thinking to myself, I can’t believe I just quoted Donny Osmond, my teenage idol from many years ago!)

I have broken down many walls in my life. I ended up having to go to a high school that wasn’t at all accessible, but it was the only school that would accept a student with my type of disability. That inaccessibility factor was overcome with help from the football team. I had guys carrying me in my wheelchair up and down flights of stairs. Not that I minded it; there are advantages to being in a wheelchair, you know. And boy, were the guys cute!

I managed so well at high school that I went on to University of Windsor. I have a B.A. in Psychology and an Honours B.A. in English. I have had to start my own business because, despite my education, I couldn’t find employment. Most of society takes one look at me and sees my disability instead of my abilities.

I now have a motivational speaking business. I’ve been doing presentations for years. I noticed that during most of my presentations I was doing some form of sensitivity training. So, I decided to offer that as part of my services. When I learned about this Disability Studies program, I knew it would enhance my knowledge in being able to help others. I thought it would be an experience to be in the first class of Disability Studies students and break new ground for others. I have always liked being a part of new endeavours, so I applied to Ryerson. Boy, was I right!

This has been one of the greatest experiences I have had in my educational pursuits. I have learned so much since being in this program. Since being a student of Disability Studies, my awareness of other kinds of disabilities has increased. Also, I have learned some of the ways that society perceives people who have disabilities. This realization has helped me as I do my sensitivity training. Now, I’m able to understand why individuals have some misconceptions about people who have disabilities.

Besides being a motivational speaker and doing sensitivity training, I’m also an advocate. First, I’m a self-advocate. I have learned to fight for my own rights and my own needs. I hope that, as I fight for my own rights, I’m helping to advocate for the rights of all people who have disabilities. Unfortunately, I see many people with disabilities who simply do not know how to advocate for themselves because they have been overprotected. And I see individuals who are afraid to cause trouble because they fear repercussions, so they don’t get their needs met or their situations changed. I realize that many people with disabilities aren’t like me. I have grown up to be very independent and outspoken. (People don’t have a choice but to listen to me -- I don’t shut up!) By being in Disability Studies, I have gained insight into how I can be a better advocate for myself and for others.

I would like to use my Disability Studies degree, my sensitivity training skills and my advocacy experiences to establish a counselling and advisory service in which I can share my knowledge. I want to help train people to be better self-advocates, and I want to assist others in understanding individuals who have disabilities. This is my goal for obtaining a degree in Disability Studies. I know there are many areas that each of us can get into with such an increased knowledge of people who are seen as disadvantaged by society. It’s obvious that all of us in Disability Studies have a vast interest in assisting others to be able to live their lives to the fullest, and helping society understand that the individuals they perceive as disadvantaged are actually capable, contributing members of their community.

None of us knows what lies ahead. We can only hope that we can make a difference in the lives of the people we touch. Mother Teresa said we ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. It’s my hope that all of us put together can flood this earth by doing whatever we do, by using our knowledge to the best of our ability, despite the circumstances.

(For information on Ryerson’s School of Disability Studies, call (416) 979-5000, ext. 7037; e-mail: [email protected]; or visit the website: www.ryerson.ca/ds.)