Recently I was directed to the following essay contest by my school, for a grant for those that have developmental disabilities and the like. Their questions and my responses are below…thought I’d share my feedback regardless of the outcome…
I. Describe a time in your life when you have overcome your disability to do something extraordinary.
II. Describe how your college degree will contribute to your short and long term life goals.
III. Discuss how your disability has made you unique.
For those interested you can view the award requirements at: Auger and Auger's Website
With respect, I don’t think living with a disability has to be framed to be conquered through the achievement of one extraordinary feat or another. Rather, I think that living everyday to your personal best despite your disability is more to the point. As a person with cerebral palsy and limited use of my right hand, I have withstood the stares of those too afraid to ask, the barbs of those to careless to string together a proper thought in order to find out about my disability, as well as living with the innate knowledge that I will never truly “fit in”. The mere fact that I have endured these things, where as I think most other “normal” people could not, day in and day out is, in and of itself, extraordinary.
I have had cerebral palsy my entire life, and it has forged within me a practical and can-do approach to every task that I encounter. I believe I can do most anything anyone else can. I simply refuse to listen to any that speaks to the contrary.
I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Arizona State University, with the hope thereafter to move towards a master’s within the discipline of either counseling or psychosocial psychology. My college degree will contribute to my life goals in the short term by helping me achieve a dream that I have put off for too long; graduating college. In the long term, as my education grows along with my experience I plan on helping individuals cope with traumatic life problems, and better interact with others that may have some type of mental, physical or other such condition or issues. More exclusively, I would wish to focus my post-school work and career around helping those that are recently disabled. I believe I have always had a passion for this vocation, and a deep desire to assist people in coping with what can be a devastating life change. Completing my education will give me the tools and understanding to be able to target my passion in a way that can help others receive the proper treatment that individuals such as myself were never able to experience.
I believe my disability has made me unique, as I have a distinct world view. Specifically, I believe as people far too often we criticize others and tell them to dash their dreams because a goal might seem too big, too challenging, or even out of scope. Frankly, to the naysayers themselves those types of big dreams will always be out of reach. Their negative or narrow-minded attitude precludes them from being able to conceive of the fact that even the least among us can accomplish great things.
However, to those of us that remain focused, disciplined and willing to work hard, nothing is out of reach- even if one hand doesn’t work as well as the other.
That said, I appreciate the opportunity to compete for this award, and hope to hear positive news regarding its disbursement.
Last, I would like to say that even if the award doesn’t go to me, I commend Auger and Auger for putting this program in place to assist those with disabilities that have a true need to further their education and help others.
Sincerely,
David
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