Joe

Education

I was born with brittle bones. By my teens, I had dozens of breaks, but they slowed as I went through high school. I had parents who fought to ensure I led as normal of a life as possible. For example, I lived in dorms as an undergraduate student in a university near my hometown. I was then accepted to Teachers College, Columbia University for my master’s degree. I moved to New York City, finished my master’s degree, and then moved to Seattle to get my doctoral degree in education at the University of Washington.

I have been very interested in research methods, especially statistics. Using advanced methods to analyze policy data is my career goal. In 2014, I graduated from the University of Washington with a PhD in education: measurements, statistics, and research design; my thesis was titled “Retention of Undergraduate Students with Disabilities at the UW: Advancing Retention Knowledge and Policy Implications.”

My journey in STEM has required overcoming physical and psychological barriers. While I am at times around people with disabilities, my social circles primarily include people without disabilities. Fitting in seems to be harder with each passing year. I could rationalize this when I was younger, hoping a greater education and professional success would translate into social acceptance, yet this was always somewhat of an illusion. I do have a close group of friends and family that provide emotional support, but this doesn’t take away my sense of exclusion.

All of my life I’ve used my intellect to solve problems, yet with each passing year the limits of intellect to find a sense of satisfaction in life continue to be evident. After spending well over a decade in higher education as a way of coping with life, I’m now focusing on dealing with emotions I have long suppressed.

Ultimately, I realize that life can be one struggle after another for a lot of people, not just those with disabilities. My personality will not let me accept just treading water in life. I always want to achieve more and push myself harder. Quitting the fight has never been an option. That’s why I believe that while my journey has been long, it has really only just begun.