 Over the summer I was accepted to Nassau Community College to work towards gaining a certificate in Disability Studies. Throughout my college journey for my associates degree. I was also interested in Disability Studies major but could not discover it in the Associate's degree level or certificate level. Disability Studies has always been a passion of mine. I always see it available as a bachelor's degree, master degree or certificate but at graduate level. But to be honest not everyone may be able to handle the depth of a degree but a certificate often gives you the main knowledge and skills to prepare you for what your focus is and the career aspect of it.
I had many conversations within higher education about having colleges offer more certificate programs since serving on the advisory for post secondary education in Albany. I feel like certificate programs give you direct knowledge and skills towards the main focus that truly interests you. Like it interests me. I advocate for certificate programs to be more available and affordable. These can open so many doors for students with and without disabilities just looking for a faster track to be career ready. It will also give a person the opportunity to build their own career and have flexible work options. Before becoming a founder and executive director of Disability Champions Mentoring Network Inc (DCMN). I wondered what life would be like after college now I realize so much about myself and notice the college life may be truly overwhelming for my current life position, maintaining my physical and mental health. A few months ago I was just researching disability studies and saw that Nassau Community College offered a certificate in disability studies and didn’t have any requirements. I told myself this is for me. So I challenge myself but here is what happened... Here is a moment of transformation... I never really share, but when I thought of who I serve I know a lot of young people may experience this. I didn’t feel motivated. I felt from the beginning of the semester I started to lose myself and started to focus more on timelines and deadlines that I need to focus on but it brings me to reality back on things that are out of my control. That's the moment I rolled in my power and said I am going to remove myself from the semester before it's too late and push myself to a break down. I went through moments like this in college and I promised not to put myself through any of these any more. When I dream big and I am a visionary at heart, these little things crushes my heart deeply when I am not following through the way I set the expectations for myself. These experiences reminds me that I have come far, I have accomplished a lot, I truly need to embrace my journey better. Understand that I am right where I am supposed to be in life.. I am working on being okay with my own pathway to success and remind myself even on this path I’ll do big things! Sometimes I feel undecided. So many big thoughts and questions. So what do I do about it I reach out to my support team, mentors and of course my network champion for a sense of encouragement and support. Dr Tammy program director of DCMN always encourages the disability champion mentoring network community that its okay for your dreams to take a different direction. Sometimes I have a hard time being okay that my dreams have to take a different path. In each of these experiences when it comes to my dreams I hit a roadblock A road block that makes me question myself , my confidence and so much more. Sometimes I feel disappointed, honestly. As many of you returned back to school, its a new chapter for each of you A new growth. Its different for each of you. School has always been about learning and thriving Be kind to your peers. Some of your peers may look like you, look different than you, still be kind and show support. Find yourself a mentor. Remember if you are having a hard time academically don’t be so hard on yourself. You are not alone It’s okay to have a voice. Don’t sit in the corner alone. As a good friend or student leader, reach out to them. If you can’t sit next to them , write them kind notes. Talk to your teacher about how you are doing in school. If you feel left out, speak up. If you have meetings like IEP meetings ask to be a part of , remember its about you and each day each year you are building the future that you want. If you have a disability keep pushing you’ll go far and do amazing things. Never lose hope because you may have heard students like you don’t go too far.
0 Comments
 May was Mental health awareness month and we often overlook the impact of mental health on people with disabilities and youth in general.
When I came up with the idea of Disability Champion Mentoring Network Inc it was not only because of my educational experience and seeking change, but for my experience as a young person and all how my disability impacts my mental health. I wanted to create a safe space for young people like myself. I want to bring light to the importance of mental health. Not just in terms of a label, diagnosis, or other judgment, but also in light of a person's disability and skin color. I would love for mental health to be acknowledged because we all need support. We need that space where we can just talk to a person about their day, life, goals, and dreams—someone to simply believe in us, see us as an individual, and help us find the tools to reach our full potential. This is especially important for those with cerebral palsy dealing with depression and isolation. I too experienced this. My struggles with mental health are viewed differently because of this. Many ask what's going on with me instead of understanding the depth of my struggles. Growing up with a strong gratitude mindset as a family, I silenced the voice that told me how I should express my thoughts and emotions to others because it would be perceived as ungrateful. As a kid with a disability that requires a lot of medical procedures, it can take a toll on the family and the child's physical and mental health. I was only 9 years old when I had major hip surgery and had to stay in rehab on my own, but my siblings took turns on the weekends staying with me. My parents came every week in the evening. My dad had to work, so he couldn't stay with me only on his days off. I cried each day as I wanted them by my side, but they'd never understand what I was going through. I couldn't speak up. I was diagnosed with scoliosis right before my high school journey, hearing what was going on with me and the risk of what could happen with having surgery on my spine and another rehab stay alone. My heart broke again. I stayed silent. In high school, there were days I couldn't really write for myself, due to my anxiety, especially due to spending most of my day in a classroom the size of a closet with no windows. By the end of each night, I will be emotional about everything and could not keep myself together. I didn't tell anyone because of the perception I'll be labeled again. In the past I viewed my emotions as me being weak before. I would l be discouraged and out of it for a few days before I begin to find my strength. There is not a day that I am not reminded I can't stay in those spaces for too long because it's not good for me. While in college, I started to live up to society's expectations, knowing that due to my disability I have to work harder to achieve my goals. I felt drained and overwhelmed every time. Then another stage in my mental health was that although I started going to medical appointments on my own with my aid, I felt unsupported and alone. So I would just become emotional about the process and never want to go. Even when I force myself to go, I always catch myself in tears In these times I felt like reaching out for help would make me weak. I see my emotions and thoughts as being weak as a result. Now I am at a different stage within my mental health. I can't explain much but one stage is celebrating my journey more. A mental health Affirmation I wrote to find a positive way to share: Today, reflect on the importance of mental health. Remember you are not alone. Celebrate your path to success. Celebrate those little steps. Don't compare yourself to others. Be kind to yourself and others. Today recognize those who may not have taken a traditional path to high school or college. Support whatever positive path they are on. Tell them you are proud. Stay focused on your goal and what makes you happy. Paths can shift and that's okay. After graduating high school or college everyone asks what's next? That can be a trigger to some people because they are honestly just doing the best they can and need to be truly proud of the moment.  Growing up, I was a shy little girl with a disability, a girl of color and a Caribbean background and a Brooklyn girl from an underserved community. The bigger picture was “Disability” yet I faced multiple adversities. Who am I? In many cultures, girls are often told not to be outspoken. The question I often ask myself is, was I shy or did I silence my voice to fit in and settle for less? Oftentimes as a child, I was not asked about emotions. Emotions were never valued. Emotions were often viewed as unhappiness or ungratefulness, so I had to find a way to express myself, to normalize the importance of emotions and use my voice. In previous years, I started to write a lot. I was 17 years old when I broke away from my own world into sharing my story and created a motto, “let our voices be heard, not just seen.” I started my own website and used social media to share my story, experiences and thoughts with the world. Breaking my silence becomes a challenge for others, to understand my view. Maybe I was too young but having a disability comes with not only challenges but big thoughts, feelings, and better yet capabilities that are often not seen. I started this journey when I was in high school when it already felt hopeless and was told college was not possible. My last day in high school when I officially received my high school diploma. Once I rolled out the building, I saw life at a new view and was ready to embrace the world that is not always prepared for people like me. It only felt like a whole new world ahead of me. I began to open the next steps and that was college. But, it was also time for me to find my seat at the table Even if I am the only one with a disability or wheelchair sitting at the table. It began with being accepted to be on the advisory council for special education in Albany and my first opportunity to speak to over 500 people for the first time for an organization I once received supports from. And I have started growing into a speaker and leader ever since. I now serve on a variety of committees/ councils. One, is I am on the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council for NYS where I am the chair of the individuals and families committee in Albany. In many spaces I am in, I am often the youngest one in a wheelchair doing the work that I do, so I have to find my place of belonging after going through years of being the invisible one. As a young leader the challenges faced is the pressure I have to deal with having to explain my views and mission of my work to others. Since starting my own nonprofit organization, Disability Champions Mentoring Network, aiming to disrupt the school to disability pipeline so no young person will face barriers in reaching their dreams and goals and bridge the gap within the special education system. There are challenges. The education system is often stuck in a box and not willing to participate in outside resources that will help empower young people and become a tool for educators as well. Young people are not comfortable with the word disability so they will not feel like they do not belong. And the Disability Champion Mentoring Network is not a part of the school curriculum so it makes it hard to access the schools and support the students. As a young leader, I am challenged with how much I should promote myself because there are many young people still trying to find their purpose yet here I am. Having people take me seriously because they are seeing disability as a limitation. I am a woman of color from an underserved community who was never exposed to becoming a leader. Sometimes I feel that I make myself and my dreams and work small to fit others' mindset or expectations. As a young person and a person of color we are often expected to live by statics and society’s expectations. After graduating college with my associates degree in liberal Arts from Kingsborough Community College in June 2020. It has been years of working towards a dream to show the possibilities. I was also dealing with having to work hard and tirelessly to live up to society's expectation of success and needing to maintain a certain GPA level because if I didn’t Access VR would not continue to fund my college journey. There were times I was over college but I would have been considered a failure. A college dropout and all. I heard so many of my peers tell me they look up to me and if I give up who would they look up to? It was after earning my degree, I rolled away from statics, stereotypes and expectations and became that leader that redefining what success looks like for everyone and stepped into my dreams without any limit. As a person with a disability and a woman, we often have to prove yourselves and abilities to others. Question our paths instead of celebrating ourselves. Why should that be? Instead I step up to do what makes me happy and do what I dream and show up in a limitless mindset; I can be anything I am also breaking generational expectations within my family, my home, my culture and so on. Especially as someone with a disability. My parents are from the Caribbean and did not have much opportunities growing up especially educationally. They did not get the chance to go to high school or to receive a higher education like college. I watched my parents especially my mom advocate for me during the day as Dad needed to work but did not have the chance to have a seat at the table and impact on policy and systems and travel to different states etc. like I have been doing. My parents came to America for a better life and advanced opportunities. My parents always encourage their children (including myself) to create our own American dream. Although when it comes to me, it's often a lot of questions, fears, natural reality and challenges but of course I challenge them all and still “Dream. Do it and become.” I graduated high school, completed college with a degree, became Ms. Wheelchair NYS 2018, a motivational speaker, a member of many councils/committees and I am impacting people with disabilities, the field, and their families. I have become a life coach, an author and started a whole nonprofit organization. I have stepped into my true purpose limitlessly. All the “no’s” I was told in life, this gives me the courage to make them a yes! I am a visionary. - Always looking to build/create what I see is needed. I am a problem solver- I love to put the puzzles together in the missing gaps. I make an Impact- through sharing stories and being a change maker. Becoming transparent as a leader has been the most powerful feeling but it’s always a question. What will people think? In my advocacy, speeches and presentations I always leave with a call to action. One of my call to actions during one of my panel opportunities to speak about my transition experience from high school and college experience. I shared about having to develop a strong support system who understood the college life and disability world to help talk me through where I am in life and the new journey as a recent college graduate. Those experiences led to discussing the importance of mentorship and the development of Disability Champions Mentoring Network Incorporated that officially became a nonprofit organization. As a leader, a woman and my disability there are many challenges. I take the challenges as they come and find ways to overcome the challenges because I believe in possibilities. People try to attack your dreams and visions as a leader. It happens to me too So what have I learned to do in those situations? I set boundaries. Keep conversations to only how far the person can “see” although my goal is to educate and push that vision. I Stand “roll” strong in my mindset and become a true champion. I trust in my supporters, team and allies to be my thought partners The difference I would like to make is my Disability Champion Mentoring Network motto “One Champion. One Mentor. Many pathways at a time” In due time I want to provide employment opportunities to young people as many school leaders and providers are having trouble finding place to employ their young people. When a young person is told the impossible things about their future or better yet their dreams, I am showing and making it possible with my mentorship, knowledge and network. Opportunities that allowed us to connect are, partnering with the Transition College Access Center and the Summer Youth Employment program which allowed us to have student interns. And helping young people navigate the college world and see the college is possible is the dream for what we do? Here are some ways we can all be a change maker:
Let’s Empower them! |
Archives
October 2023
Categories |
RSS Feed
Proudly powered by Weebly