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1997 DO-IT Ambassadors
1997 Participants
Rachel
| Anthony
| Shane
| Mark
| Katie
| Ben
| Jenny
Nhi
| Ryan
| Maria
| Daniel
| Lloyd
| Randy
| Travis
Takuya
| Sherri
| Nadira
| Mike
| Shawnna
| Matt
| Rodney
Nguyen
| Sarah
| Carolyn
| Eric
|Katharine
| Kris
| Anna
Kristin
| Hollis
| Todd
| Megan
| Matt
| Mitch
| Priscilla
| Erofei
DO-IT Ambassadors are pursuing post-secondary studies and careers. They
share their experiences with the younger DO-IT Scholars and Pals,
encouraging them to pursue their goals in attending college and pursing
studies and careers in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology.
Hello! My name is Rachel. I just completed my second year at
Columbia Basin College in Washington. I am studying to become a Speech
Therapist. My disability occurred in 1989, when I was 12. I had an AVM on
the left side of my brain which caused me to hemorrhage and, therefore, had
a stroke which paralyzed the right half of my body. I now have a limp and
my right hand does not work very well. I am interested in the life sciences
and anything that has to do with people. I enjoy horseback riding, writing,
hanging out with friends, dancing, playing on the computer, and just having
a good time! I've worked at Battelle Labs for four summers and was an Intern
in the DO-IT Summer Study program in 1995. Being in DO-IT has helped me
in school and definitely at work!
I'm Anthony from Grand Forks, North Dakota. I attend the
University of North Dakota and currently thinking of majoring in computer
science. I was a DO-IT Intern at Camp Courage in 1995. My long-term goal is
to become a developer of special technology like speaking devices. I have
been helped by technology, and I want to help other people like me use
technology. I thank DO-IT for pointing me towards this career.
My name is Shane. I attend a local community college in Montana. I
have Cerebral Palsy and use my computer by entering Morse code through a
sip-and-puff device. I like to give demonstrations of my computer equipment
to other kids with disabilities and their parents as part of my DO-IT
involvement.
My name is Mark. I attend Big Bend Community College in
Washington state. I have Muscular Dystrophy and use a wheelchair. I can
access the computer and the Internet using my head. My interests are
astronomy, art, and writing. I helped with the DO-IT Summer Study program
two summers ago as an intern. I really enjoy DO-IT!
My name is Katie and I live in Washington state. I have a hearing
impairment. I am about to start my junior year at Washington State
University. I live in a dorm. I love college life and am involved in a group
interested in sign language.
I'm Ben and I live in Washington state. I have Muscular Dystrophy. I
will be a sophomore at the University of Washington in the fall. DO-IT has
taught me to meet people over the Internet. Through my DO-IT contacts I
worked in a paid internship at Pacific Northwest Labs for several summers.
Without DO-IT, I'd still probably be watching other people have success, but
now they're watching me. Look out world, because Ben is coming and
he's going to just DO-IT!!
My name is Jenny. This year I moved to California. I organized and
developed
a nonprofit support group for teens with disabilities here in California. I've
also been volunteering at local organizations for the blind. I plan to go back
to college in January! My "disability" is an undiagnosed severe neuropathy.
Hi, I am Nhi from Washington state. I'm attending South Seattle
Community College in Seattle. My plans are to get a bachelor's degree in
computer science when I transfer. I have Multiple Sclerosis (MS). My vision
is limited as a result of MS. I use large print and voice output programs on
my computer. I am glad to be a participant of DO-IT. It has provided me with
great experiences.
Hi, my name is Ryan and I'm 20 years old. I'm attending Bellevue
Community College and will be done with my two year degree in March of
'98. After that I'm going to Las Vagas for my twenty-first birthday to celebrate,
then I'm heading to Australia for a month and a half. I work at Nordstrom's
in the boys department. My disabilities are ADHD and learning disability in
English. My hobbies involve the outdoors. I love snowboarding and I have
been to the Alps in Switzerland and I can say this with confidence, "Utah
rules!" DO-IT has enabled me make a lot of great friends.
Hi! My name is Maria and I'm from Vancouver, Washington. My
disability of post-polio requires me to wear a leg brace to make walking easier.
This autumn, I will be a
junior at the University of Washington. My major is speech and hearing
science. I have a job that I enjoy at UW's Speech and Hearing Clinic. I
interact with clinicians, faculty, and of course, the clients. Having a computer
helps me alot, especially with arranging my classes, my rides with Dial-A-
Ride, finding jobs, communicating with professors, doing my homework, and
much more!
Hi, I'm Daniel. I live in Washington and I am 19 years old. I have a
learning
disablity. I have trouble with word comperhension and spelling. I am going
to Pierce Community College. I am studying to become a marine biologist or
a oceanographer. My hobbies include alpine skiing, rock climbing, scuba
diving, and other sports.
My name is Lloyd. I am now living in Missouri. I am 21 years old
and have a severe hearing impairment. I worked in the UW Adaptive
Technology Lab and was an Intern in Summer Study '96. I plan to go back to
school this fall and attend Southwest Missouri State University. I'm thinking
of pursuing the biomedical field involving technology. Despite my hearing
loss I am musically talented. I can play trombone and baritone. I am
interested in electronics, math, music, karate, and computers. I look forward
to meeting new DO-IT Scholars.
My name is Randy. I am in my senior year at The Evergreen State
College in Washington state, where I am working towards a major in
computer science. I was an Intern in Summer Study '95. I am currently
doing a co-op with Weyerhauser. I am blind, with two glass eyes, and use a
guide dog (Mogul) for mobility. I use a computer with a speech synthesizer
card and screen reading software to access the Internet, do homework, and
take notes for classes. My hobbies include basketball, hockey, computers (of
course), reading, taking long walks, and generally socializing.
Hi, my name is Travis. I am from Idaho. I finished my freshman
year at Utah State over a year ago, majoring in computer science. I lived in an
on-campus apartment and enjoyed campus life. Computers and computer
programming are what I enjoy most. I also like hanging out with my friends,
reading, listening to music, and driving my car. My disabilities include
shortness (only 4' 7"), orthopedic problems in my legs, and kidney and
associated problems. Being disabled has affected my view of the worldand
in most cases has improved my views and attitudes. Being in DO-IT has
made me realize that I am not alone in being disabled, but also has made me
aware of all of the various disabilities out there. I'm in the second year of a
two-year mission with my church so I will be off the Internet for a while.
My name is Takuya. I live in Washington state and will be a junior
this fall at the University of Washington. My disabilities are health
impairment, nervous system dysmorphia, and congenital scoliosis. My
interests are physics, biology, theory of math, trigonometry, calculus, and
computers. My hobbies are collecting stamps and reading books. The Internet
helps me find information and the ability to talk to people. I have a job at the
University of Washington Adaptive Technology Lab.
My name is Sherri. I am visually impaired student at Southern
Oregon
University in Ashland, Oregon. I hope to graduate with a major in
psychology and a minor in criminology. One of my favorite times in college
was when last year four other people and myself talked about our disabilities
to an audience of college students. I am interested in psychology, math,
genetics, Spanish, and the Internet. For fun I like to swim, play basketball,
watch movies, listen to music and more. I was an Intern in Summer Study
'96.
My name is Nadira. I will transfer this fall to the University of
Washington to
get my bachelor's degree in psychology. Some of my hobbies are music,
Internet, poetry, and laughing. My disability is mobility impairment. I use a
wheelchair to get around all day, seven days a week. I believe that peopleıs
attitudes toward wheelchair users really need to change. We should not be
treated differently from other people because we are not different. The only
remedy for it is to be nice to each other. I have learned a lot by being in the
DO-IT program. DO-IT is the best teacher that I have ever had. Finally, my
motto in life is: Treat others the way you want to be treated.
I'm Mike. I have ADHD with a specific learning disability in reading
and writing. I love engineering, math, and drafting. I attend Chemetka
Community College in Oregon. I enjoy riding
my bike everywhere. I think the DO-IT
program is cool. I was an Intern at Summer
Study '97.
Hi all! My name is Shawnna. I am 18 years old and I plan to attend
Columbia Basin Community College this fall. My illness is Muscular
Dystrophy which attacks the muscles. But I get done what I need to. My
hobbies include swimming, collecting baseball cards, watching TV, and
working on my computer.
My name is Matt. My disability is deafness. I'm a manager for
Pizza Hut but plan to continue my education next fall. Then I will transfer to
Gallaudett University in Washington, D.C., for maybe four years of general
education, and then transfer to Georgetown University for a Ph.D. in
electronic engineering. I've been playing baseball for all my life and
swimming the last three years in high school. You all can call me "lewy", my
nickname.
My name is Rodney. I live in Seattle. My interests include computer
programming, reading, writing, and wasting time. My disability is
Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita which means my muscles didn't grow to
be fully capable, and my joints are frozen in the position they happened to be
in when my biological mother caught the virus. I have received some
computer programming training and have worked at the University of
Washington Adaptive Technology Lab. I was a lab assistant in the 1995 DO-IT
summer program at Camp Courage. I work as a telemarketer and have also
worked on the Internet. I plan to return to college and study political science
and journalism.
I am Nguyen and I work at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. In
1992, I suffered a gunshot wound to the right hemisphere of my head which
paralyzed the left side of my body. I use a one-handed keyboard. I have lived
many places, but I like Washington the best.
My name is Sarah. I will be a sophomore at the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas this fall majoring in clinical lab science. My disability is a
learning disability called dyslexia which affects my reading, math, and
spelling. The DO-IT program has really helped me a lot with understanding
my disability and other types of disabilities. It has made me open more doors
for myself in believing I can DO-IT for life!
Hi! My name is Carolyn. I graduated from high school in Washington
state this past spring. I will attend Shoreline Community College this fall. In
the future, I would like to teach science. I also enjoy writing. I was born with
Cerebral Palsy. I also have a neurological disorder that causes low vision.
My name is Eric and I live in Oregon. I'm currently attending Mt.
Hood Community College. I am without any vision and I use strictly hearing
and touch. I use a PC with a speech synthesizer, scanner, Braille printer and,
of course, a modem. My interests are in biology, communications, radio, and
other electronics. I completed an internship with the Oregon Public
Broadcasting System, where I had the opportunity to broadcast over the
waves. I was also an Intern in Summer Study '95
.
Katharine is my name. I love the outdoors--whether it's skiing,
hiking, biking, riding, or swimming--you name it, I "do it"! I enjoy
mathematics, business, and engineering. I'm learning disabled and reading is
difficult. A computer helps me with reading. This fall I will be a sophomore
at the University of British Columbia. THANK YOU DO-IT!
My name is Kris. I successfully finished my second year at Oregon
State University in the Honors College. I'll be going back this fall still
working on my microbiology/premed major. I also have worked as the
Adaptive Technology Coordinator for OSU. When I'm not busy working on
school work or in my office, I enjoy playing my trumpet and french horn,
scuba diving, and skiing. I am visually impaired and use a large monitor to
use my computer. I own a company (Nexus Computer Systems) that builds
and sells custom computer systems, does consulting work, and writes custom
software. I worked for DO-IT at Camp Courage in 1996 and 1997 and at the
1996 and 1997 Summer Studies.
My name is Anna and Iım beginning my fourth year at the
University of Washington. My major is cellular and molecular biology, and I
would like to go into genetic research. I am blind as a result of a cancer called
retinoblastoma. Two summers ago I was paid to do research on
retinoblastoma. I work in the UW Adaptive Technology Lab and I am active
in helping in various DO-IT projects. My computer has been invaluable to
me. It reads the screen to me. I could not write papers or do homework for
classes without it. I use email a lot, which I enjoy, and I have used other
Internet resources. I have a mom, a dad, and a brother. I also have a puppy
named King Tutt (KT). I enjoy origami, reading, listening to Mariner games
and music.
My name is Kristin. I am 20 years old and live in Spokane,
Washington. I am hard of hearing and I have low vision. I also have a weak
left side because of the two strokes I've had. Sometimes I have trouble
remembering things too. I just graduated from the State School for the Blind
in Vancouver, Washington. I really like to draw. I am in the DO-IT Program
because I want to find a job working with art and maybe writing children's
stories. I might want to work for a hospital or clinic.
Hi! I am Hollis. I'm 20 years old and graduated from high school
in 1995 and I'm currently attending Rogue Comunity College. I plan to
transfer to study mechanical engineering. I'd like to design and build
wheelchairs. I have Cerebral Palsy and I use a power wheelchair to get
around town; I have strong batteries, so I don't run out of power miles from
home. I'm outfitting it with a laptop computer with communication
software. I enter model bridge building contests with my dad, and we do quite
well. Several years ago I participated in Mock United Nations and Mock
Political Convention. It was a lot of fun. I enjoy running around on the
Internet.
My name is Todd, and I live on Bainbridge Island. I work for a
software company on the island. We specialize in the medical field. Some of
our products include a continuous speech product, billing software, and a
database system which stores records for Pathologists. My disability is
quadriplegic. Hobbies include: speaking, talking, and the opposite sex :).
My name is Megan and my disability is chronic lyme disease. I am 19
years old. I am attending Pacific Lutheran University in Washington. My
major is biology (premed). I also like piano and swimming. I have enjoyed
being part of the DO-IT program; the best part is the people involved in
running it and those who participate. One thing that DO-IT has done for me
is to spark an interest in sign language; I am now certified to be a sign
language interpreter.
My name is Matthew. I'm 20 years old and live in Renton,
Washington. I have Dyslexia which messes up the things I read and write. I
attend the University of Puget Sound and am majoring in computer science
and math. My favorite sport to play is soccer. DO-IT has been a very positive
influence on my life, and I would not have accomplished many things
without it. I helped with the 1996 and 1997 DO-IT Summer Studies.
My name is Mitch. I currently have a job with USDA Tree Fruit
Research Lab in Wenatchee, Washington. I will be attending Wenatchee
Valley College next year, working part time at the lab during next school year,
just as I did last summer and this school year. I plan to transfer to University
of Washington. I would really, really, really, really, really, really, really (well
you get the idea) like to get a job or even a volunteer position in Leroy Hood's
biology department at the University of Washington as a lab technician.
My name is Priscilla. I'm 19 years old and currently attend Bellevue
Community College. I have Cerebral Palsy and it affects all of my limbs. The
adaptive technologies that I use are a large print program and a voice
activation program, Dragon Dictate, which types what I speak into a
microphone headset. It took a lot of patience to train it to recognize my voice.
DO-IT has given me several opportunities to demonstrate my computer
system at conferences--one in Washington, DC! I was also an Intern in
Summer Study '97. I love to surf the Internet, find library resources, and
receive email from my friends.
Hi, I'm Erofei, from Oregon. I lost my hands in a farming accident.
I'm currently attending Clackamas Community College in Portland, Oregon,
where I will learn how to become a drafting engineer. Some of my favorite
activities are soccer, fishing, and rollerblading.
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