Share Your Story - Winning Entries

Disabilities don't limit possibilities, they open them.

See where I from,

Has been foreseen as the slums.

Warfare all over the place,

A constant mental race,

Too much toxicity can potentially leave a bad taste.

Lead ppl in mental spaces that aren’t considered safe.

I managed to cope, without proper vision but I kept faith.

Only to be hit with unfortunate news, before Thanksgiving day.

Three surgeries within one year, I had to understand what I was feeling.

Not just physically, but more so  mentally, emotionally.

I needed to set myself free.

Before the pandemic, I was in the midst of my own pandemic.

Tired of, “just living”,

Could not move on, until I did some forgiving….and healing.

I literally had to unlearn any negative thoughts and feelings,

Fight beyond my own demons, to be able to see the glory.

Through many ups and downs, every successful person has a story.

Acceptance and patience were two essential tools that eliminated  any worries.

Now, I overstand with almost finishing this semester with another 4.0,

That when you strive for greatness, no matter what you will reach your goal…

Nothing can stop you, no person, circumstance or disability…

All that's needed when times are tough, is the mindset to believe and achieve.

I am not Cancer.

I am a mother.

A warrior.

A proud student after so many years waiting.

I am stronger than my doctors tell me. I am making my way…finally.

I will cross the stage,

And waiting for me,

Will be not only my dreams and achievements,

But the proof to naysayers,

And the faces of 4 children in the audience waiting for me…

Two of which also with disabilities,

Waiting for their chance,

To be proud like me.

I am CRC.

DSPS has always been helpful to me while attending Los Rios colleges. Because I’m autistic, it can be hard to handle a large number of units and I get easily overwhelmed, so I typically take 1 or 2 classes per semester. For that reason, I’m still a college student even though I started in 2016. DSPS has been very helpful to me by providing accommodations for in person or online classes, such as extra time on tests, a quiet setting, and priority registration. I prefer the online classes because I’m not social. I have a hard time taking notes in class and talking to people. The DSPS department is patient with me and provides email reminders as well as other offers to assist in any way they can. I appreciate their help. My success in college is due to their assistance.

Hi, My name is P I am 19 years old and have had some real tuff struggles in my life, at a young age I was diagnosed with different learning and disabilities, as I got older I became proud but also felt like I couldn't achieve what others in my family could, My mother was very abusive i'd go to bed believing I was physically and mentally a failure and that was the first thought when I woke up. I graduated highschool in all regular ed classes and placed 5th in regionals for culinary arts. I was attacked and sexually assulted not long before my competition during my senior year in high school. My life had completely changed despite that I pushed forward and worked hard. My mother responded that my diploma was handed to me, not earned. I walked to my school, picked up my diploma by myself and cried myself home no one realizing how hurt I was. Not long after graduation my mother kicked me out, I became homeless but I was still so blessed. I was taken in by a family from my church who not only housed and fed me but let me be part of Christmas like I was one of their own children. After they helped me I got into a shelter that showed me how low u can really get, when I finally learned what it was like to truly be alone and scared. I will tell you there is a lot more that happened to me and I'm grateful for all of it. I am who I am because of my trauma. I'm told I'm resilient, strong and independent. I'm a college student, I have an apartment now and good people in my life. Yes, more trauma will occur but then I will learn from it and grow. Doesn't matter how u were raised or what disability u have, you get to earn and be whatever you want for yourself.