Getting Things Ready to Return to School

I’ve decided I want to finish getting my BA. So, I’ve sent in my application and sent transfer requests to all the schools I’ve attended in the past. I’ll find out 1-2 weeks after they receive my transfer information. If I get accepted I’ll be getting my diploma from one of the schools I dreamed of attending, the University of Michigan. Unfortunately, I won’t be attending the Ann Arbor campus. I will be attending the Flint campus, which is the second biggest UM campus. Either way, if I’m accepted I’ll officially be a Wolverine!

I figure if I’m going to be living in the Flint area for the next few years I might as well do something constructive with my time. Not that I do not find blogging to be constructive, because it is. I just think that it is important to show the kids in my life that it is important to attempt to finish what we start. If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.

A lot of planning goes into going back to school for someone in a wheelchair or with any type of disability. I’ll be meeting with the department where I’ll be studying, to not only discuss my graduation requirements and get advice on what classes to take next, but also to discuss any type of accommodations I might need in the classroom. Everyone I’ve spoken with seems incredibly nice and willing to work with my disability.

One nice thing is how supportive U of M is toward transgendered students. That should not be an issue either. I should be able to use whatever name I want thanks to their system that protects transgendered students who haven’t been able to change their name legally. Since I’m not sure my name change will be legally finished by September (it will be very close to being complete by then) I’m very happy to know I don’t have to start class with so many questions from teachers and peers, thanks to being able to use Dominick for everything I need at school.

I will need to meet with Accessibility Services to make sure I get testing accommodations, a writer, and a note taker. Writing has become something that is very painful for me, so if I have help writing it will ensure I can take tests in a timely manner. I also have a lot of trouble maneuvering a keyboard while in my wheelchair (something I’m definitely working on), so typing wouldn’t be a suitable option, either. I will also need to find out if there are other accommodations I’ll need.

I also need to meet with Admissions to discuss my name change and getting everything listed in the name Dominick. I’m trying to coordinate a time when I can meet with all of them at the same time. Add in the fact that I need to meet with MRS and the next few weeks will be very busy for me.

MRS is Michigan Rehabilitation Services, which is other states’ equivalent to BVR. I need to find out about MRS paying for college and hopefully they will also pay to make my new van wheelchair accessible. That is one thing they typically do, so here’s hoping. Eventually, I hope to go back to MRS to learn to drive. I wouldn’t be able to drive with a small wheel the way I did before, but due to my muscle progression, a joystick would be the ideal driving aid. I use one to drive my wheelchair, so I’m well aware of a joystick’s sensitivities. I one day, truly hope to learn how to drive on my own. To me, that will be an amazing achievement.

I still have a lot of work to do, in Physical Therapy, but at least, I truly feel that I’m finally making strides in the right direction.

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