Waking up every morning, most students wash their hair while still half asleep. For most, it is a simple, thoughtless task. Imagine not being able to take a shower without the help of an aid, or having a mundane activity like locating the bathroom become an everyday struggle.
These are just some of the obstacles that people living with disabilities deal with on a daily basis.
On April 11, the Intercultural Diversity Center held its 2nd annual panel discussion. The panel allowed people with disabilities an opportunity to share and discuss their own disabilities with others.
Randy Borst, the director of Disability Services at UB, spoke at the panel and shared the experiences and loneliness he has encountered throughout life as a blind professional.
"I felt left out as a high school student because of my disability. It was hard to become involved," Borst said. "Having to make friends was really difficult."
After overcoming obstacles relating to his disability, Borst went on to become an activist for people with handicaps. He now is in charge of ensuring UB's environment as manageable and accessible to people with disabilities.
Like Borst, Dr. Lorie Hidreth has learned from her disability, going on to lead a life of teaching others how to cope and learn within limitations. Hidreth, who works as a hospice counselor, uses her own experiences to help others. Despite being handicapped since birth, Hidreth was able to earn her Ph.D. and remain active in daily life.
"I feel that it is really beneficial when people who do not have a disability come to these events to learn about them," Hidreth said. "People need to realize that it is possible for a person to be handicapped and still choose a lifestyle or job that can benefit both needs."
Vanessa Alibrandi, a junior psychology major, was diagnosed with a learning disability while in sixth grade, and has found UB to be accepting of people with disabilities.
"It was tough to let people understand I had a learning disability. Some people didn't believe me, or felt that it was unfair that I got more time on tests," Alibrandi said. "It would bother me a lot when I was younger because kids would give me a hard time. I got a lot of criticism from my peers."
Alibrandi said that she herself receives condemnation from family members. She stressed the importance of educating family and friends about disabilities in order to encourage more understanding from the community as a whole.
"My grandparents don't understand my disability," Alibrandi said. "It is hard for them to understand because back when they grew up, none of this was ever diagnosed."
According to Alibrandi, many disabilities are not physical, and it's important not to judge someone from the outside. Simply because a person doesn't appear disabled doesn't mean that they don't suffer from an equally debilitating handicap.
"I choose to tell people about my learning disability if it is necessary," Alibrandi said. "I think it is important to own your disability instead of letting it own you."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
