Third annual "Views from Our Shoes" panel spreads awareness

On Monday, January 25, 2010, Assumption students, faculty and friends flocked to the Hagan Campus Center, filling the room to capacity. It wasn't to play Bingo or dance at a soiree, but rather to listen, learn and hopefully take away something significant, whether it was a touching story or an inspirational experience.The popular event, "Views from Our Shoes" is an important, informative and inspiring occasion sponsored by the Assumption Disability Awareness Promotion Team (ADAPT) as well as the Disabilities Awareness Committee. It gives Assumption students who have disabilities the opportunity to discuss their lives in an open forum, free of prejudices, judgments and biases.

Nancy Crimmin, the Dean of Campus Life, introduced the event with a touching story about her son who has autism. She stressed the importance of correct language when speaking about disabilities and those who have them. She explained that autism is only a part of who her son is which is why she describes him as one who "has autism" rather than saying he is her "autistic son." Crimmin continued on to say that honesty and patience are keys to living and coping with disabilities and spoke highly of the program that the two committees have worked vigorously on.

The presentation consisted of two moderators and six panelists. The moderators and former panelists from past "Views from Our Shoes," senior Dan Anastas and junior Bryanna Yazbak, each gave brief reflections of their own experiences with disabilities before introducing this event's panel. The members included seniors Brandon Pare and Victoria Duke, juniors Brian Ake and Danielle Iozzo, sophomore Alexandra Nassimos and first year student Sarah Lovas.

Each panelist then introduced themselves and explained their individual disabilities. Pare, Iozzo and Nassimos spoke of their separate learning disabilities, Duke talked about her daily struggle with celiac disease (a severe allergy to gluten), Ake told the audience of his cleft pallet, leaving him with a facial deformity and hearing loss and Lovas spoke of her life dealing with cerebral palsy.

Anastas and Yazbak then went into the questioning portion of the program, giving the panelists two questions to reflect upon and answer for the audience. The first question, "How has your disability impacted your life both academically and socially?" received a variety of answers.

"It hasn't impacted me academically, but definitely socially," explained Duke. "I can't eat what other people eat, I have to schedule all of my meals ahead of time and it requires a lot of planning. And it's a little awkward when it comes to dating. I mean, who on a first date wants to listen to an analysis of why I can't eat pizza?"

Ake and Iozzo, however, said their disabilities were more detrimental to their academics. Ake requires a hearing aid in his right ear as well as a notetaker and an iPod recorder for his classes while Iozzo, struggling with short term memory, needs more time to complete her exams. Nevertheless, both agreed that the special accommodations that the College is able to provide them makes all the difference in their ability to succeed.

The other three panelists talked about the next question: "What positives, if any, have come out of your having a disability?" Nassimos began confidently stating that she thinks her disability, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), makes her work harder and has given her the ability to learn things differently. Similiarily, Pare stated that "although it takes a little extra effort, it makes me more dedicated to my work. It improved my time management and organizational skills and allows me to take part in all the extra activities I do and still get my work done."

Finally, Lovas spoke about her support system made up of her family, friends from home (some that also struggle with cerebral palsy) and the new friends she has made during her first year of college. Her story was moving as she expressed her love for working as a volunteer at a summer camp with children with special needs because she "knows where they are coming from" and "Most of the time, I just forget about it," said Lovas.

Overall, the third annual "Views from Our Shoes" was a success. Not only did it draw the attention of many Assumption College Community members, but provided all who attended a chance to better understand a few of the disabilities that a number of students must deal with every day and how it impacts their lives both academically and socially.

As the moderators closed the event with many thanks to those who made it possible, Yazbak offered an interesting reflection: "What would the world be like without diversity?" It was something the audience was able to take away from the experience along with a little more knowledge of their college peers.