1-800 Wheelchair Scholarship Page Jeromie Ballreich 2007 - 2008 Scholarship Winner Jeromie Ballreich is a student at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Jeromie began school able-bodied and says he never thought much about accessibility until an auto accident that left him with two broken vertebrae. Since then, he’s become an advocate for disabled students, working to raise awareness and improve facilities at his school. He was recently appointed to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities. Jeromie’s winning essay called for a holistic approach to assisting students with disabilities, “Employment, athletic events, social events—being a student is more than going to class,” he says. NCSD's Interview with Jeromie Congratulations on winning the 1800 Wheelchair Scholarship! We would like to commend you on your active involvement to improve life for people with disabilities. NCSD: What were your plans in college before you had your accident? Jeromie: Prior to my accident, I attended Lafayette College in pursuit of a Math and Economics degree. In college, I was not sure about what to use the degree for though I had aspirations to work on Wall Street. NCSD: What were your attitudes and awareness about people with disabilities before your accident? Jeromie: I was respectful to people with disabilities, but I was fairly ignorant about disabilities in general. NCSD: Are you on the same career path now? Jeromie: For the most part I am, though I am more open to applying my education in some form of public policy. I also have thought about graduate school. NCSD: Why do you think that you were inspired to be so proactive and in control vs. being depressed after your accident? Jeromie: Fortunately, I had a lot of support from the community, friends, and family which helped a lot. I also told myself that being proactive was a way to combat depression. NCSD: What have been your best resources? Jeromie: The best resources have been the community, friends, and family. Not only did they support me, but they also helped facilitate many opportunities. My experience has taught me that when people know you personally then they have more vested interest in you. NCSD: What do you feel is the most difficult barrier for a student with disabilities? Jeromie: Snow. Also, the finances are difficult. Often, there are significant costs with disabilities, and I like to think that I am a regular student however I am constrained by how much I can earn or else I lose services related to my care. There are also significantly few part-time job opportunities for a quadriplegic. NCSD: I see that you are on the Governor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities. Do you feel that this is an effective group? Are you able to make change? Jeromie: The Advisory Committee was recently established so I cannot gauge its efficacy yet. However, I am optimistic that I and the Committee will effect positive change. NCSD: Do you see the college community as more aware of people with disabilities than the outside world. Jeromie: In general, I think the college community is more aware of diversity and within that people with disabilities. My personal experience leads me to think that the student body, faculty, and administration try to be inclusive of people with disabilities though room for significant improvement exists. NCSD: Do you plan to continue the path of advocacy for people with disabilities? Jeromie: I plan to continue the path of advocacy regardless of my career path. Advocating for inclusion and people with disabilities is important as room for improvement still exists. |