In the Chavietz Business School, several members of Saint Louis University’s Beyond Ability Club sat around and listened to a zoom presentation by college student Anna Kocol. The group learned about Anna Kocol’s disability: rheumatoid arthritis. They also were able to ask questions and got an insight into Anna Kocol’s experience with accessibility services at Western Michigan University and gave the clubs some new ways that they can continue to promote better accessibility resources for all on Saint Louis University’s campus.
As Saint Louis University’s Beyond Ability club gets ready to sit in on their presentation, members Mariangela Acosta and Cas Hisson exchange a conversation on October 6th, 2022 detailing how their week has been.
Yamna Bukhari, Zofia Cieslarczyk, and Mckenzie Maude on October 6th, 2022 listening to Vice President Cami Balog introduce Anna Kocol to the club as their presenter.
Anna Kocol, a student at Western Michigan University, presents to the club via zoom about how rheumatoid arthritis affects their everyday life as a student. They also went into detail about when they were diagnosed and the hurdles they have had to overcome to be the person they are today, October 6th, 2022.
Six members of Beyond Ability: Mariangela Acosta, Cas Hisson, Bridget O’Connor, Grace Kupczyk, Katie Vogel, and Samantha Holton, watch as Anna Kocol describes the difficulty they had in convincing their parents something was really wrong with them. “It was not until I physically could not get out of bed that my parents took me to the doctor, and luckily I was diagnosed correctly right away,” states Anna Koccol on October 6th, 2022.
In the Chavietz Business School at Saint Louis University, Yamna Bukhari listens, on October 6th, 2022, intently and compassionately as speaker Anna Kocol details how having rheumatoid arthritis has affected them physically, but also mentally detailing their experience with depression and anxiety.
On October 6th, 2022, students Bridget O’Connor and Grace Kupczyk attend Anna Kocol’s presentation. Grace Kupczyk cracks a smile as Anna Kocol throws in a joke while explaining that they find humor important in difficult times.
As Anna Kocol addresses the room of Beyond Ability members on October 6th, 2022, there are subtitles present on zoom. Saint Louis University’s Beyond Ability club makes it a priority to turn on the subtitles to be inclusive to all students.
Presenter Anna Kocol wraps up their presentation with questions from the people in the audience. Ellie Cesarz, a member of Beyond Ability and a student in the occupational therapy program, asks Anna Kocol about their experience with occupational therapy and if there is room for improvement. On October 6th, 2022, Anna Kocol replies that their experience was very positive and also cites leniency from their university in letting them have excused absences from class to attend appointments.
As the October 6th, 2022, meeting wraps up, Mariangela Acosta laughs at a story told by Cas Hisson. The two have become friends through the club and are grateful that they can promote more accessibility on Saint Louis University’s campus together.
Looking forward to the next meeting, Saint Louis University Beyond Ability members: Bridget O’Connor, Grace Kupczyk, Katie Vogel, and Ellie Cesarz share a laugh as they detail funny stories from their experiences volunteering with Disabled Athlete Sports Association. “The kids at DASA are so funny, and I learn so much about how important not only my work as an occupational therapy student is but also how important the work our club is doing to make SLU a more accessible place,” states Ellie Cesarz on October 6th, 2022. The members volunteer with Disabled Athlete Sports Association through their involvement in the club.
