Kent State Student Shares Life on Campus With Disability
Many Kent students walk around campus without limitations. For one student, he is aided by a walker.
Students at Kent have a wide range of experiences when it comes to navigating campus, including those who use walkers or wheelchairs.
Kent’s campus is home to many students with diverse needs, including those with walkers to make sure they can get around comfortably and safely.
Sam Granoff, a junior studying Career and Community Studies, was born with SCAD and a small cerebellum in the back of his head. These disabilities have led to balance issues, slower nerve responses, and poor depth perception, which prevents him from driving. He enjoys coaching baseball and attending sporting events, leading him to his job as a sales associate for the Cleveland Guardians. Sam is often seen representing his favorite Cleveland sports teams, and if he knows you, he isn’t afraid to say hello.
Q: Tell me a little about yourself.
Sam: I’m a junior in the Career and Community Studies program. The program helps teach people with disabilities how to be as independent as possible and find a career that suits them. After I was born, I had to stay in the hospital for two weeks after birth to make sure I was breathing properly. I also had a lot of physical therapy to strengthen my muscles and vision therapy to improve my eyesight. I even had four eye surgeries when I was very young.
Q: What are the biggest challenges you face because of your disabilities?
Sam: My biggest challenge is my balance. Sometimes I’ll fall and hurt myself badly. That’s why I use a walker to get around. I also struggle with my vision, which affects my ability to see straight ahead. Because of this, I can’t drive, which makes certain things more difficult.
Q: What is it like living on campus with your disabilities?
Sam: Living on campus can be challenging because I have to bring my walker with me everywhere. Sometimes, narrow doorways or crowded spaces make it hard to get around. I have to plan my steps carefully to avoid falling. I rely on Student Accessibility Services (SAS) for transportation and accommodations, like extended test time, which helps a lot.
Q: How do you manage your daily life, and what makes it different from others who don't have disabilities?
Sam: People with disabilities often have to work harder to do the same things as others. I have to modify things to suit my abilities, like thinking carefully about each step I take to avoid falling.
Q: What kind of support do you get from SAS?
Sam: SAS provides transportation for people who use mobility devices like walkers or wheelchairs, which helps me get around campus. They also offer testing accommodations, such as extended time, and various other services that make life easier for students with disabilities.
Q: What is your dorm life like?
Sam: Living in the dorms can be difficult with my walker because there’s always a risk of tripping or falling, especially in places like narrow hallways or bathrooms. It’s great for learning independence, but I do worry about falling and getting hurt. If something happens, I can reach out to Accessibility Services or campus disability services for help.
Q: Have you ever felt frustrated with your disability?
Sam: Yes, there are times when I get frustrated, especially when I can’t drive myself to places. It’s tough to rely on others for transportation, and sometimes I wish I had a car. But I just have to adapt and make the best of the situation.
Q: What advice would you give to younger people with the same disability?
Sam: My advice is simple: never give up. If something is challenging, think about how you can adapt and keep moving forward. Learn from your mistakes, and don’t let setbacks stop you. Keep going.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
Sam: Talking about my disability can be hard because sometimes I don’t know how to explain everything. But my biggest takeaway is to never give up. Life can be frustrating, and things don’t always go the way you want, but you just have to adapt. Even when things are tough, you have to keep moving forward and find ways to make things work for you.
