Finding a Path That Works for You: An Interview with Duncan Hobbs
There is an added layer of complexity that students with physical disabilities and health conditions face when they are considering colleges. They may have to consider the topography of the camps (are there a lot of hills?) and the weather (does it snow or rain a lot?). Then you have questions about dormitories (do the rooms have bathrooms?). These are things that don’t factor into most college searches. This is why it’s important to seek out support in your college search so that you can comprehensively think through all the the pieces that can impact your success. This month I asked Duncan Hobbs about his experience as a college student with Cerebral Palsy. Many thanks to Duncan for sharing.
Introduction:
I grew up in Wilmington Delaware and went to Wilmington Friends, a small Quaker school for 12 years. I have spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. In spite of my physical challenges, I loved sports. At Wilmington Friends I wrestled for six years.
At Georgetown, I majored in International Economics. While not in class, I worked as a research assistant and teaching assistant on campus. I also worked as a loan underwriter for a student-run nonprofit that made small loans to people in Washington D.C who were looking to start or expand a business.
1. Think back to when you were considering college. What were your concerns?
When I was applying to college, my concerns were very similar to the other students in my class. I wanted to go to a college that had strong programs in government and international relations, as that was what I thought I most wanted to study. Campus size and accessibility was also important to me. I had walked everywhere in my life and had never used a wheelchair or scooter and I did not want to have to use those devices at college.
2. Who supported you in your college search?
My guidance counselor, Kathleen Martin, and my parents and older brother were all wonderful sources of support for me. My guidance counselor sat down with me and looked at a list of colleges I had made. “I want you to imagine that it is the middle of February, there is a foot of snow outside, and you have to walk half a mile to get to class. Do you want to do that?” When I said “no” she calmly took a pen and crossed out most of the New England colleges I had written. “If you really want to go to these places, I will help you succeed there, but I want to make sure you think carefully about your choices.” I still went with my parents visit many colleges in New England, but that conversation helped me realize that I needed to consider issues, like snow, without making me feel resentful.
3. What things were you looking for in a college? Were those things related to your disability? If so, what were they?
I wanted a college that would help me explore things I was interested in and help me develop skills useful for my future both inside and outside of work. I did want to go to a smaller campus that was easier to navigate with my cerebral palsy, but this was really a secondary concern or a tiebreaker in my mind. I especially did not want to feel like my cerebral palsy dictated where I could and could not go to college.
4. What specific issues related to your disability/needs did you have to navigate once you got to college?
There were several times when I had to request classroom changes or needed something in my dorm room fixed. I am not always the most assertive person when it comes to asking for help, so it was very helpful to have people who helped me ask for and get reasonable accommodations to help me succeed in college.
Another substantial difficulty for me was psychological. I had major surgery after my high school graduation and had to take a gap year to recover. While I had planned for this, I was frustrated my how slow my recovery was and feeling very nervous about my ability to succeed at college. When I had visited colleges in high school, I had tried to imagine myself there and ask myself if I thought I would be comfortable. Following my surgery and difficulties with rehab, everything felt so physically different that it was very hard not to second guess myself even about things that were not related to my physical condition.
5. Were there key people/places on campus that you were able to connect with to get support? If yes, who/where?
The Academic Resource Center at Georgetown was an invaluable source of support for dealing with challenges related to dorm and classroom accessibility, accommodations for classes, and applying for jobs. I also found some friends who I could open up to and admit my frustrations and fears. My problems did not go away, but they became much easier to manage when I shared them with other people.
6. What suggestions would you have for someone with a disability who is applying to college?
Visit the disability resource center if there is one. Having a good relationship with the people there will be very useful during your time at college. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Find some friends you can trust to let out any frustrations you have and don’t let them bottle up inside you. Reach out to other students with disabilities on campus. They may have strategies for dealing with the physical or mental stress associated with college and can be a source of inspiration and support.