Just a Little Bit Further

Just a Little Bit Further

After submitting the first draft of my master's thesis a little more than a week ago, I received feedback from my advisor that was positive, but nonetheless indicated that I had some work to do. With a week to make the necessary revisions, I thought it would be no big deal.

But as last week wore on, it began to sink in just how much things had changed for me since I began my master's program in urban studies back in September of 2000. Gone was the strength and energy that had once allowed me to push everything else aside and complete my work, no matter how long it took to get things just right. Now, I have to be more vigilant about my health, which takes away from the time that I have to work. Even when I have the time, my energy often betrays me, thanks to my weak DMD heart and the medications I take to sustain it. And after getting shocked 18 times by my internal defibrillator on one very scary night in July, I had to make sure that I did not allow myself to get too stressed out! So I tried to work at a slower pace, taking frequent breaks. It was highly frustrating, but I knew that (like Red in the clip above from my all-time favorite movie, "The Shawshank Redemption") if I had come this far, I could come just a little bit further.

By yesterday, with a deadline looming and on the verge of exhaustion, nothing was going to stop me. And, if only for a moment, I was able recapture some of my old magic, pushing myself every time I wanted to take a break. Just after midnight, I submitted my paper. We'll see what happens, but it sure was nice to visit with my old self and to know he is still within me and I can channel him from time to time!

UPDATE: My advisor was impressed...my paper now goes to the rest of my thesis committee for review...

Mission Accomplished

Mission Accomplished

For those who have not heard, I finally finished writing my master's thesis in urban studies late last Friday night. While it is only a first draft and must go through several approvals until it is officially accepted by the university, I consider this to be a pretty momentous occasion, in light of the fact that six years ago, I had abandoned all hopes of earning my master's degree and withdrew from school. At that time, I was adjusting to life with a tracheostomy and a ventilator, along with the nursing care that accompanied it. In addition, I had begun taking a bunch of cardiac medications, which made me feel exhausted and unmotivated. In fact, I was so resigned to the fact that I would never earn my master's degree in the field that I love, I referred to my autobiography as "the thesis I never wrote."

Today, I am taking even more medications and battling fatigue -- and anxiety (caused by my cardiac scare over the summer). However, after my autobiography was published last year and I was still alive and kicking, I had decided to revisit completing my degree. Thankfully, the Department of Geography and Urban Studies at Temple University welcomed me back with open arms and gave me the chance to do so. I also had many people motivating me, particularly my friends, Art and Emma, who each, in their own way, helped me to realize that finishing my degree would be a worthwhile endeavor.

In case you were wondering, my thesis is about housing accessibility for those with disabilities in Philadelphia. My research entailed interviewing several housing developers working in the city to find out their opinions on housing accessibility requirements under the law, as well as to learn about their attitudes toward and knowledge of people with disabilities. My hope is that by talking to these developers, advocates for those with disabilities will be better able to understand the development process and can bring about a better housing situation for people with disabilities in Philadelphia, more than a quarter of whom live in poverty and many of whom are aging.

I will post further news about my thesis as soon as I hear more about it, but I will most likely be graduating in January!