About Me
At the point of my life when the doctors did not know what to do, therefore; they all agreed to send me to New York. Later, I spent a month at the Colombia Presbyterian Hospital. As a result, the doctors diagnosed me with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). The doctors predicted my lifespan to be no longer than 2 years and asked my family to give me whatever I please. In my heart, I had hope. Therefore, I requested to my family to leave me in New York, a place that I truly love. At first, my family refused because they thought that I was losing my sense. However, I have shown throughout the years the values of Independent Living by being able to make it here on my own. Now, they are very proud of me.
My main goal has always been to have independence in every possible way. This is one of the reasons I find Oprah an extraordinary person whom I admire. She is always willing to help to improve people with and without disabilities to have a better life style. I would love to have an opportunity like this to finally meet Oprah in person.
Actually, I'm a student from the External Education Program for the Homebound at Queensborough Community College and current president of the homebound program club. I am majoring in Liberal Arts and I am planning to continue at the CUNY Baccalaureate Program to have a major in Computer Technology for Individuals with Disabilities. I access the computers through Assitive Technology by using voice recognition, head mouse, and scan onscreen keyboard with word prediction in Spanish, English and Italian. I do all this in my home with the computer, which is essential for my career because it can open up doors to independency for a person who is physically disabled like me.
I am the Chairperson of the CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities, which I enjoy so much. Our mission is to serve and represent students with disabilities enrolled at the City University of New York by Empowering CUNY’s more than 9,000 Students with Disabilities. This position has shown me how important is to be organized and how we can make difference in our society.
In the year 2002, I did a letter writing campaign that helped pass E-text legislation, whichas made textbooks available in all formats to students with disabilities. Now it’s Chapter 219 and already became a law and hopefully will reach nationwide. Chapter 219 is still in progress because it needs modifications that will help every disability equally with student’s unique needs. I would love to help the publisher and those with able body to understand our sensibilities from a different perspective point of view.
Throughout the years, my disabilities have become abilities making everything reachable for me. I would like to be an inspiration to people. Now I know that everything is possible as long you truly put your mind to it. I would like to end with a quote from my hero, Oprah Winfrey, "Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don't fight them. Just find a different way to stand."
Achievements
YAI Excellent Award Achievement
April 2001
June 2005
CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities
Chairperson
January 2004 – Present
Testimony, Assembly Higher Education Committee
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Hearings on CUNY Access for Students with Disabilities
City Council,
Testimony, Assembly Higher Education Committee
Friday, June 17, 2005
Hearings on CUNY Access for Students with Disabilities
City Council,
CUNY/IVE Leadership Program
Fall 2005
The State Education Department, The University of the State of
December 28, 2005
Board of Regents
Malik Shabazz Human Rights Institute (MSHRI)
Winter 2006 Internship Program
United Nations Disability Ad Hoc Session #7
Chapter 219 Member
E-legislation for Educational Books
