I Am More Than My Disability, Inc.

What does a student do when he or she needs accommodations for a learning disability after high school?

Many people have heard of Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  However, very few have heard of Dyscalculia, a learning disability in the area of math, including the Tiffin University staff. Having never heard of it, however, does not mean that it doesn’t have to be accommodated.

Ryan was diagnosed in the third grade with dyscalculia by a psychologist. Now, he was in his first semester in college. He did https://ip5.com.ua not have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or a 504 Plan, documents which enable students to receive special services from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Ryan met much resistance when he attempted to receive accommodations, or at least have a discussion with staff in the Department of Disability Services.

He needed an advocate. Ryan was successfully completing the course work in his other five (5) classes, in fact, he had earned five A’s!! He told everybody, including his biggest champion, advocate, his mother about his desire, dedication, and commitment to do well in his chosen field of study, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement.

Not only does Ryan have a learning disability, dyscalculia, but he also suffers from kidney disease, a type for which there is no cure. It is usually found among children and teenagers and males, more than females. The cause is unknown.

In fact, for African American males with this type, fifty percent (50%) have poor response to therapies and will progress into end stage renal disease. It takes about five (5) years to develop renal failure.

With much treatment, therapies, love and support, Ryan reached his five year anniversary of living with this disease.

Ryan graduated from high school last year. With much excitement, he received many track and field awards and trophies and was recruited to the University of which we write, to participate in college track and field.

Ryan’s mother, Alecia Harris, who for many years, has suffered from the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), asked Ryan how she could help.  His response was heartbreaking.

Ryan said, “Please help me! This is an issue that brings me straight to tears. No one is hearing me. No one understands what it’s like to sit in math class a few times a week, and not understand anything. This is not something I can work harder to understand. My mind sees math differently than all the other students in class.” He continued his quest for help, by sending his mother a letter. After all, she is a single mother to her three sons; one who is a senior in college, another who is a senior in high school. She has personally experienced extreme accommodation challenges with her employer of many decades. Through perseverance, determination, and support, her outcome was successful.

As a result of Ryan’s experience, “I Am More Than My Disability, Inc.” was established. Ryan believes and has stated, “I am more than my disability. I am a human being. Don’t judge me.”

I Am More Than My Disability, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that helps young adults living with learning disabilities (physical disabilities too), navigate the maize to obtain accommodations of which they are entitled and supported, as outlined by the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.

Our passion and commitment is to help other young adults with disabilities that attend college.

Ryan is not the first and he won’t be the last.

Join us on this journey to bring awareness to, and advocacy for, academic accommodations and services for young adults and their families as they matriculate through college.