Community given opportunity to meet disabled

by Matt Coughlin staff

writer

If you look at the world of disabled students on campus, you will see the myriad of personalities. Cabrini's disabled students are not simply a section of the student body. The Students with Disabilities panel, consisting of several students with disabilities, conducted a seminar in which each of the students openly discussed their disabilities in the Widener Center on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

The event provided the opportunity for disabled students and members of the Cabrini community to get to know one another. The Disabilities Advisory Council sponsored it. major in education, also spoke about the support of her family.

"If you look into my world, you can actually understand me in a kaleidoscope of ways," said Tammy Blanford, a student suffering from dyslexia.

Blanford sat on the panel along with Jose Jalandoni, Alynn Capoferri, Mike Killeen and Kristen Scarborough.

The panel each took turns relating their experiences. Jose Jalandoni was born in the Philippines and has cerebral palsy. When the opinions of others led Jose to question his own abilities his grandfather told him to "stop listening to everyone else and see what you can do".

Scarborough, who has Attention Deficit Disorder and Disnomia while being a triple Need A Date? The SuperthonDate Auctionwill be held on March 31, 2000 in the Grace Hall Atriumbenefitting the ElizabethSantorineFoundation.

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"They were always there for me when I need anything, supporting my interest in drama in high school, ballet, tap and jazz," said Scarborough.

They also organized activities including a quiz on prominent persons with disabilities and a short video clip about a Yale law student who, because of his learning disabilities. reads at a 5th grade level.

Mike Killeen spoke about the summer camps for disabled students he attended as a youngster. 'Tve met people from all around Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and they all have a disability."

Seeing so many other people with a dis- ability helped to bolster Killeen's self- esteem.

"Sure my eyes don't work right, but they could be a lot worse," said Killeen. He has been diagnosed with incomplete chromotopsia, which causes a difficulty in seeing some colors. Killeen now works as a counselor at one of the summer camps he previously attended.

Capoferri, who has ADD, does a lot of public speaking about having a disability.

"A lot of the population has a learning disability who goes here;• said Capoferri. Speaking about the Cabrini community, "how nice everybody here is;· remarked Capoferri.