Frank and Patty Skerl Educational Scholarship for the Physically Disabled

Growing up with a physical disability has significantly shaped my worldview and fueled my determination to make a positive impact through my future endeavors. Living with cerebral palsy, I have faced numerous challenges, from limited mobility to frequent medical appointments and the constant need for adaptive equipment. These experiences have given me a unique perspective on the importance of accessibility, empathy, and resilience. Being part of the disabled community has opened my eyes to the systemic barriers that individuals with disabilities face daily. These barriers are not only physical but also social and attitudinal. I have experienced firsthand the isolation that can result from being different, the frustration of inaccessible environments, and the societal misconceptions about disability. However, these challenges have also taught me the value of perseverance and the strength of community support. One of the most profound lessons I have learned is the importance of advocacy. My journey has been marked by the need to constantly advocate for my rights and access to resources. This advocacy has extended beyond my personal needs to championing for the broader disabled community. Through my involvement with various disability advocacy organizations, I have worked to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and inclusion. These efforts have reinforced my belief that change is possible when individuals come together to support a common cause. My experiences have also fueled my passion for education and the pursuit of higher learning. I am currently pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering at Long Island University. My goal is to develop innovative medical devices and technologies that enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. This field allows me to combine my personal experiences with my academic interests to create solutions that address the specific needs of the disabled community. In addition to my academic pursuits, I am actively involved in campus organizations that promote inclusion and accessibility. I serve as a member of the Disability Services Advisory Board, where I work with administrators and fellow students to identify and address accessibility issues on campus. Our initiatives have included organizing workshops on disability awareness, advocating for the installation of accessible facilities, and providing support for students with disabilities. These efforts have not only improved campus life for students with disabilities but also fostered a more inclusive and supportive community. Looking forward, I plan to use my experiences and education to make a meaningful impact in the field of biomedical engineering. My ultimate goal is to design and develop assistive technologies that improve mobility, communication, and independence for individuals with disabilities. By leveraging my personal insights and technical skills, I hope to create solutions that empower individuals with disabilities to live fuller, more autonomous lives. In conclusion, being part of the disabled community has profoundly shaped my worldview, instilling in me the values of empathy, resilience, and advocacy. These experiences have driven my passion for education and my commitment to making a positive impact through biomedical engineering. The scholarship would provide crucial support in continuing my education and research, allowing me to develop innovative solutions that enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Through my efforts, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and accessible world, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

After becoming physically disabled due to a genetic progressive condition, I was desperate to learn more about the history and current conditions of my newfound disabled community in the U.S. I leveraged my background as a clinical social worker and my connection to the disabled community to petition the editors of a forthcoming textbook for social work students about disability to hire me to write the chapter on U.S. Disability Policies. For several months I searched for all the information I could use to synthesize the history of major policies that affected disabled people in the U.S. from the Civil War to the present. Through my research and writing process, I recognized that large infringements on disabled peoples’ civil rights continue to persist today. I concluded my textbook chapter with suggestions for legislation needed to protect and uplift disabled people. I quickly realized that in the current structure, the burden is placed on the disabled individual to sue if they believe their civil rights have been violated. There is no enforcement mechanism to proactively discover and correct discriminatory practices of public businesses. I knew that most disabled people are not in a financial position to be able to hire counsel. Therefore, despite clear mandates for accessibility from the government, many companies large and small continue to be out of compliance. It is not until the cost of being inaccessible is more than the cost of accommodations and changes to ensure accessibility that many businesses will change their practices. I realized we need more lawyers with a focus on disability civil rights. In addition, these lawyers need to be open to pro bono or sliding-scale fees to make legal recourse accessible to more of this population. I’ve been successful as a clinical social worker helping people find their strengths for positive individual change. However, there are larger systemic changes that are needed for more disabled people to lead full lives with easy access to everything not-yet disabled people take for granted. In coming to this conclusion, a new desire bloomed – to be a lawyer and take on these cases. I intend to be one of the lawyers who takes on companies that violate the ADA and other disability civil rights laws. I was encouraged by loved ones to investigate the logistics of law school and the pros and cons of reentering student life in my mid-thirties. I recognized that it would be a bumpy road ahead, full of detours and potential dead ends, but at the finish line would be a reward worth all the struggle – being a voice for disabled people like myself with connections to the legal world, smashing through barriers literal and figurative. I have been a lifelong advocate for others, and now I have the opportunity and drive to be an advocate for myself and others like me who continue to be treated as less than human due to our disabilities. There have been too many times in my clinical practice where the answer has been “this client needs a lawyer” only to find no one interested and accessible to take the case. I want to be able to help demystify the legal process for others and encourage more lawyers to enter disability civil rights law. We need more not-yet disabled allies to understand that this fight is their fight too. No one is immune from illness, injury, or old age and at any time they or someone they love could become disabled. It shouldn’t have to happen to you for you to care about it and do something to make it right.