Becoming a quadriplegic at the start of my collegiate career created some challenges. Putting aside the physical and mental struggles of paralysis, finding a career path is an additional challenge many recently disabled people face. Disability is extremely expensive. The expenses needed for ongoing medical treatments, supplies, and the need for accessible adaptations to a plethora of things add up over a lifetime. That being said, earning a higher degree creates opportunity for higher paying jobs that will ease the burden of these lifelong expenses. Since my disabling accident happened after only one semester of college, I had to pivot my life choices pretty early on.
I was going to college in person at Florida State University in hopes of completing a degree in exercise science. Previously as a student I was always the person to answer and ask questions during class. This allowed me to establish relationships with my professors which helped me to excel in most, if not all my classes. Following my accident, I wasn't able to attend Florida State in person due to a lack of caregiving services, transportation, and overall support. Fortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic did push many schools to offer online degrees. I decided that online college would be the most accessible option for me. While Florida State did not offer any online degrees at the time, they seem to have made some progress over the past few years. But for me, it was necessary to transfer schools following my accident. I also had to discover other degrees I was interested in, as a degree in exercise science as a quadriplegic creates a pretty niche job market. In consideration of all these factors, I pivoted from exercise science to pursuing a psychology degree.
After making these decisions, I began to research which schools I could apply to that offer psychology degrees entirely online. I chose Georgia State University and began looking into their Access and Accommodations Office (AACE). This office helps to ensure that Georgia State follows all regulations set by the ADA in every facet. Through the AACE I have an approved list of my individualized accommodations sent to each of my professors at the beginning of each semester. Despite this I still email each of my professors at the beginning of the semester, as I have learned that a big part of being a disabled student is advocating for yourself. As a quadriplegic with limited hand function who is taking classes online, my accommodations include things like extended time on tests and excused absences for doctor appointments. Although this is a very different college experience than I had planned, it has allowed me to regain the piece of my identity that is being a high achieving student. I have enjoyed being a student so much after my injury that I am currently planning on applying to graduate school with a 4.0 GPA in September 2024. Grad school will mark the first time that I attend classes on campus after my injury. I'm slightly nervous about that, but I'm also eager for the new challenge.
After completing my graduate program, I hope to become a rehab psychologist so that I can help others effectively transition through acquiring a disability. I believe this is the right career for me for a few reasons, but the most important is that being a psychologist is a job that relies mostly on your mind and your presence. This means I can excel while having limited hand function and overall mobility. Another reason is that rehab psychology is something that I believe has great value. My future job being something that I am passionate about is important to me. Having personal experiences with rehab psychologists in my life has shown me just how impactful they can be in people's lives. Knowing that I am helping someone in the way that I was helped will give me immense purpose and meaning to my life. My biggest piece of advice for people with disabilities who want to continue their education is to not be afraid to advocate for yourself and to choose the path that fits your needs regardless of what the norm is.
About the Author
Hi! My name is Eden Schroeder and I am a 21-year-old college student studying psychology in hopes of completing my doctorate. I sustained a C5 spinal cord injury in November of 2020 and have since found a passion for adaptive sports. I enjoy traveling, camping, and finding new ways to make the outdoors accessible in my free time. My favorite food is Mexican...especially the cheese dip! I hope you enjoy learning about paraswimming!
Eden's ride is a Quickie Nitrum.
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