First, I was NEVER kicked out of college. I am far too civilized to do anything to warrant getting kicked out. Secondly, the implication I quit, holds the connotation I had a choice in the matter. Did I quit going to WSU? Technically, yes I did. Was I thrilled in this decision? Did I have a choice in the matter? Did I just kiss my degree goodbye with little thought to finishing? I would have to say that all of these were emphatically no.

I didn’t want to leave in my senior year, but things happen for a reason. I ended up falling out of my wheelchair for a reason. I ended up fracturing my tibia for a reason. I ended up experiencing frequent pain that eventually led to my being bed ridden on and off for several years. We are talking almost four of those of being COMPLETELY bed ridden. I was lucky enough to have a computer set up so I wasn’t completely alone in bed.

I also grew restless, and fought HARD to get out of bed. I now suffer through frequent pain while up, but I don’t care. I had to return to living, and I did just that by applying and getting accepted to the University of Michigan. I completed my FIRST week. I am no longer in bed and I WILL be finishing and getting my degree in Theatre: Performance. I will have a degree from a better, Big Ten school. That is why I believe everything happens for a reason.

I am NOT a quitter. Anyone who believes that is foolish. Anyone who attempts to speak of me or for me without knowing what is going on in my life is IGNORANT. I am proud of myself for getting through my first week of school. After all I’ve been through, it’s a huge achievement, but mostly, I’m just glad to be back.

Technorati Tags: School, University of Michigan, Dominick, Flint Campus, College, Quit, Back in School, U of M, Theatre Performance

It isn’t just because I love the Michigan Wolverines that I’m so excited about our first game against Western Michigan tomorrow. This is my first game as an actual Wolverine. I am, officially a U of M Wolverine. I start school Tuesday at the University of Michigan. I will be attending the Flint campus, but all that really means is I pay close to half of what I’d pay to attend in Ann Arbor, the teachers for my program are just as good, and my degree will simply say “University of Michigan” on it. I am a Wolverine even if I am not in Ann Arbor, and I am proud to be so.

Slightly off topic, I visited the University of Michigan as a freshman in High School. We were visiting colleges we hoped to one day attend. As someone in a wheelchair who received assistance for their education through the state of Ohio (where I lived) I was told I could attend a school in Ohio, but not outside the state if I wanted to receive assistance. The reason for this, I was told, was because Ohio has a wheelchair accessible school, Wright State. That pretty much threw out my fleeting dreams of attending Michigan.

When I first moved outside Flint, I didn’t really realize the U of M – Flint was officially the U of M, just a different campus. In some way, I’ve been able to make that small dream come true and am now attending the school I’ve always wanted to attend. Since I live in the area, and my tuition is cheaper at the Flint campus, it’s the perfect way for me to finally complete my Bachelor’s and attend Michigan.

Back on track, I cannot tell you how pumped I am about tomorrow’s game. I’ve been singing “The Victors” all week. I feel nervous for our guys and for the way they struggled last year, when Rich Rod was left with practically nothing from the exiting Carr program. I have confidence that Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson can help us turn the team around.

I’ll be watching with Ash and the rest of the family tomorrow rooting on our team, but despite all that, I’m also glad that I will be receiving a quality education from my favorite Big Ten school.

Let’s Go Michigan!

Technorati Tags: Michigan, Wolverines, University of Michigan, Flint, Tate Forcier, NCAA football, Denard Robinson