WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013
PAGE 3
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
RHIANNON ROSAS/KANSAN
AMANDA THOMPSON, junior, talks with the group about their upcoming relay event. AbleHawks and Allies is a group that brings everyone together and raises support for others on campus.
ABLEHAWKS FROM PAGE 1
you need," Brown said.
As their academic career progresses, Rasnak is hopeful that resources continue to benefit students.
Since coming to the University, Boresow has embraced becoming a self-advocate. The academics came easy, she said, but the daily living skills, sleeping in a new place and talking to new people, have been challenges she's overcome gradually.
"We are here to help them through the process, but we are definitely hoping as they go through this processes class after class, semester after semester, they're figuring out how they're going to be dealing with these issues because most of these disabilities aren't going to go away," she said. "They're lifetime conditions."
"A lot of people have the misunderstanding that an accommodation is an advantage," she said. "It's just to level the playing field."
She said she has needed accommodations in the classroom, such as needing to sit in a certain spot, finding a suitable group for group projects and helping her teachers understand her situation.
Transitioning from high school to college involves more work on the part of the student to be successful. Boresow said the accommodations in college are meant to give students a chance to succeed.
Throughout high school, Boresow felt more comfortable writing rather than giving a vocal presentation. Her Communications 130 class required for her major was one of the most difficult she's had to take.
"I didn't really get the opportunity to practice giving speeches throughout my public school education just because I wasn't capable, or it wasn't a good way for me to communicate," she said. "So I would always write a paper or do something else instead."
With the help of her TA, she completed the class and gained self-perspective.
"I'm in college, I'm expected to do college work, and I can," she said. "There are just some ways I'm a more efficient and effective contributor than others."
ANSAN 10 years 1gton
Making connections with colleagues within her tight-knit music therapy major is one thing Boresaw struggles with in college.
"I wanted to be friends with them because we had those group projects or I needed help with homework, and I just didn't know how to do that and there was no one to help me with that," she said. "I love and respect them but we're acquaintances, and I wish we were more than that."
Boresow said she also struggles relating to others outside of the classroom. She said she doesn't enjoy going to large parties because it can be too loud for her and she isn't always familiar with the popular slang.
"Ive embraced that, the fact that I am clueless and people will be laughing, and I'll start laughing because they're laughing," she said. "But I don't know what's going on, and that's okay with me."
"That was an issue when I went out to Mass Street last year after the Final Four game," he said. "It was pretty crazy out there, and I still enjoyed it, but part of me was still like, 'How am I going to get around this huge crowd?'
George Li, a senior from Overland Park, uses a wheelchair. He said he sometimes feels anxiety about being able to maneuver among large groups.
One drastic shift she noticed recently was the parking signs, which now read "accessible parking" rather than "handicapped parking."
Li has Duchene muscular dystrophy, a degenerative and progressive disease that results in
Interacting with students who identify as having a disability is something rarely talked about and little understood.
Boresow said she encourages others to ask questions but also to be sensitive to certain words and situations.
muscle weakness and loss. Unlike Boresow, the accommodations he needs are mostly physical, such as lowered light switches, clothing racks and counters in his dorm room, and tables at the proper height in his classrooms to comfortably fit his wheelchair
The choice of revealing a disability is a personal one, but Boresow said awareness of oneself is essential in living with a disability.
"There was one time where I actually did forget to do that. It was night and I was going up the hill. I made it up the hill, and then the chair stalled. So I started going through my phone and finding people to help me push," Li said. "We made it. We had to dry the chair out with a gigantic fan we borrowed from the desk."
In a typical morning, Li transfers himself from his bed to a manual wheelchair and then to a motorized one to "roll to class." He has to take precautions if there is inclement weather by wrapping the power controller in a plastic bag.
"That's a little stupid thing, but it's not. It shows that there's an attitude shift that's happened here and people are starting to say 'Yeah, we care.' Boresso said.
"The most important thing you can do is know your own strengths and weaknesses and be able to communicate those with others," she said.
Despite his reliance on a wheelchair to get around, Li said he isn't hindered socially.
Accessibility on campus is something that most people don't think about, but once it's brought into the public light it holds influence. Since she's been here, Boresow has seen accessibility on campus change for the better, and credits AbeHawks' involve
"I feel like the classmates that I have pretty much don't see me as any different than other people," he said.
"It's not just about us, it's about a greater community," she said.
The changes will not only benefit students and faculty, but visiting alumni, parents and prospective students.
ment with bringing it to public attention.
"We've got a group of positive people who are willing to collaborate with the administration here," she said.
Edited by Ashleigh Tidwell
on the scene” Perry said. “When we started it up, our first and only choice was the Red Cross because they were the first ones to be there.”
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian non-profit charity organization that provides emergency relief nationally.
film
leaves
to Ja-
ondon
in
d are
"There are people who came up that were actually from Boston and take a picture of the table and send it to their loved ones who live in Boston," said Kaylie Smith, a freshman from Chicago, who collected donations at the table on Wescoe Beach yesterday.
The fundraiser's success, Perry said, is a cause that the University community can be proud to get behind.
"At the end of the day, layhawk like to support each other and like to support good causes," Perry said. "I'm totally surprised — it's been so cool to see so many people help out — but I think it's also the nature of what it means to be a layhawk."
AID FROM PAGE 1
"My first thought when I was watching footage on TV was, all you see is first responders. They were doing amputations on scene," King said. "They're risking their lives to save lives."
King said he hoped Run for Boston would provide an "emotional outlet" for fellow runners to cope with Monday's tragedy.
cers were shown assisting victims.
Due to expected rain, the Hawks for Boston cause will be in the Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Friday. Cookies, provided by the Union, will also be available for a suggested donation. Students can donate online at crowdrise.com/hawksforboston.
"Somebody gave $100 today out of their wallet," Perry said. "At the end of the day, people are good. Regardless of the tragic events that happen, there's still people that want to help and want to make an impact, and that's why they're donating."
"Clearly, the attacks were meant to scare us and stop us from running," King said. "This is a way to express that we're not going to let terrorists stop us."
Edited by Madison Schultz
RUN FROM PAGE 1
Edited by Madison Schultz
Happy National Libraries Week! There are eight separate libraries on campus, and 65 subject specialists for
specific study questions.
POLICE REPORTS
Information based on the Douglas County Sheriff's Office booking recap.
- A 53-year-old male was arrested yesterday on the 600 block of Indiana Street under suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence. A $500 bond was paid.
- An 18-year-old male was arrested Monday on the 1600 block of 23rd Street under suspicion of interfering with the duties of an officer and no valid driver's license. A $200 bond was paid.
- A 25-year-old male was arrested Monday on the 3600 block of 25th Street under suspicion of possession of a depressant. A $1,000 bond was paid.
- A 28-year-old male was arrested Monday on the 3600 block of 25th Street under suspicion of driving while intoxicated. A $500 bond was paid.
Emily Donovan
Dr. KEVIN LENAHAN & THE SPECTACLE
PROUD SPONSORS OF LAWRENCE'S
FIRST
FASHION
NIGHT
OUT
Come see us at The Replay Lounge Friday April 19 from 7-9 p.m. to see what kinds of shades we have in stock and for a chance to win free Ray Ban sunglasses.
the spectacle
eyewear center
718.842.1000 | 718.842.STE.3
www.facebook.com/drdenahan | 985 Ida St, Lawrence, KS 66044
Immediate move-ins welcome!
Call: 785.841.7726
Text: 920.278.7079
We now have 10 different floor plans to choose from!
Peppertree Apartments 3100 West 22 $^{nd}$ Street Lawrence,KS66047
6 month leases avaliable
1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms From $500-$950
- Secluded Location - Large Pets Welcome
- Paved Walking Trail - Walk to Bus Line
- Sports Court (Outside) - Playground
www.PepperfreeAptsKS.com