On Thursday May 2nd, 2024, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in social work.

 I’m compelled to write a blog speaking about my experience.

I would like to clarify that I will not be saying the name of the institution of where I went to school in this blog.

I would also like to clarify that this has nothing to do with the institution or their treatment of me.

In fact, I would say my experience was positive overall and I would not change any of my experience including the “rough patches.”

I am not using the name simply because I did not get permission and I don’t like to use any names in my blog without permission.

To give you a little background about myself I have an associate’s degree in mental health.

Making the transition to a four-year university was quite a transition and the workload was something I was not used to!

But in time, I was able to pace myself and use time management skills and maximize as much time as possible.

Does that mean everyday was a perfect day? No!

In fact, if I got one thing accomplished, I would consider that a good day!

So, my time management skills were not perfect, but I was able to get to the finish line!

Each semester I was at the university by the end of the semester I would know something that I could fix and make better by the time the next semester rolled around.

An example of this is that I didn’t notify my professor of an online class I was taking through the university that I receive accommodations.

All my professors that I had in person knew of my accommodations but up until this point I did not send my accommodations to any of my online classes.

Well, I was about to realize that mistake I remember one day I was taking a final for a class that I have done relatively fine in and up until this point I had no issues, but the final exam had a time limit and in my accommodations I have it written that I receive extended time.

Needless to say, I never made that mistake again!

Every semester I was getting more confident in the classroom and speaking up for what I needed.

I also made a core group of friends and had a mutual respect among my classmates and peers just because They truly got to know me, and I got to know them.

Something that I really enjoyed with this group of friends from the university is that they were the first group of college friends that I ever actually got to hang out with outside of the classroom.

Girls, if you happen to read this some of the best times in my college career, I have had are because of you!

But just like everything else in life there were some difficult times as well.

One time in particular that stands out to me is when the push button that helps wheelchair users to open doors was not working on campus.

I was outside with my service dog during a class break and got locked out!

Thankfully, I was able to call a friend and they helped me to get back inside.

Then a professor who had been a true mentor to me encouraged me to write to the Dean and also helped to advocate to the Dean about this situation and it was resolved. I was able to get in and out of the building independently and there were no other issues.

Without me speaking up about the situation and the professor who helped to advocate and get the Dean’s attention it could have been a lot more of a stickier situation!

Throughout my time at the university, I spoke openly about my passion for disability rights.

I also spoke about how after I obtained my degree, I would like to make a difference by having a job in the DD field.

My professors often spoke openly about accessibility and equal rights for people with disabilities.

This is all great things to talk about and promote. However, I could not help but recognize that there was one thing missing.

Has their mindset on disability changed?

Even though in the disability community we have accomplished so much (and we are not done yet!) So much of the work we have been able to accomplish is by changing people’s mindset.

When I was at my graduation ceremony one of my professors came up to my grandfather and was very complimentary about me and my time as a student.

One of the things he said to my grandfather was “she taught us that people with disabilities want to be treated like everyone else.’

If someone were to ask me what my proudest moment was about graduating college, I would say my proudest moment is that I changed their mindset.