Program focuses on capabilities instead of disabilities
"The term disability covers a wide array of conditions – seen and unseen.”
That's what Jeannette Howell, Meridian Community College's Career and Technical Education Support Services coordinator, said as the first L(able)d: Celebrating Unity program got underway. The program, which featured student speakers and an alumna's keynote address, focused on highlighting capabilities instead of disabilities.
Roxanne Alexander, an MCC alumna who now serves as director of operations for Northwestern Mutual in the Scottsdale, Arizona, area and current Ms. Arizona, shared her struggles with anxiety and depression and the life-changing impact her service dog, Nash, has had on her. With Nash on the McCain Theater stage with her, Alexander said many people have issues. "Always keep in mind there are so many people who have these unseen disabilities that they may do something that seems a little different or weird. Be considerate; they could be struggling with something that’s not disclosed to the public," she advised.
Alexander noted there are 430,000 adults in Mississippi with mental disabilities and 27,000 youths who currently struggle with mental disabilities.
Nash Sis still being trained. “He's learning to sense when my body gets anxious; he'll learn my tics … pull me out of that situation," she said. As a part of his tasks, he'll retrieve medication and sit on her for deep pressure therapy.
Also appearing on stage with her rabbit service animal was Jamiah Warnsley, an MCC Physical Therapist Assistant Program student, who has albinism. In this condition, those who have it have little to no melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. In addition to albinism, Warnsley is legally blind has ADHD, and struggles with anxiety and depression daily.
However, these conditions have not deterred her. "Not only am I able to do things that I was told I would never be able to do, but right now I own my own small business," she said.
"I wish more people would speak up about their disabilities. So many people are scared to say anything because many people shame other people. If something's wrong, you need to say something. I'm not ashamed; I'm not afraid to tell people what's happening with me because it is reality. God blessed me to be here today," she added.
Tanner Miley, a Graphic Design Technology Program student with autism, spoke about the bullying he’s faced and the shame he initially felt about his condition. However, he eventually learned to see autism as a gift that gave him a unique perspective and a creative mind. "I have so many ideas I want to share with the world," he said.
And Taryn Dumas, a Media Production Technology Program student, explained she has ADHD and has found her calling in video and music making. "They make me feel so much better about life," she added.
To learn more about MCC's Accessibility Services, contact Howell at 601.484.8777, ehowell@meridiancc.edu, or visit meridiancc.edu/supportservices.