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Show Uncommon Students: Blind ItMiirie Facilla, George r and Randy Gibbs are KiKommon graduate KS t the University of ikotave several im-s im-s dings in common. 'HARE blind; they are ' : aihey can reach their : K5pite the obstacles; .c:ach has made unique : .ixents in order to pur- i master's degree in iimarie has probably ijuwghest adjustments -iie because she is totally Bui with the help of a :Pdog and the use of er readers, she "js amazingly well. SmOUGH ROSEMARIE v sight only four years ! deterioration began -a high school, "As my fe"arsened it was ap-to! ap-to! I could no longer PTOhmy job or the com-:- ae that is an essential part of life in the New York City area, so I moved to Utah where I had several friends," she explains. She spent her first summer in Salt Lake City becoming acquainted while she still had some vision left, and she also applied, for admission to the University. "FORTUNATELY, I have a visual memory of building locations and other landmarks," land-marks," she says. But she still gets lost when there's remodeling or new construction construc-tion on campus. Also, being totally dependent depen-dent on volunteers to help with reading, writing and research assignments can be' frustrating. "Student volunteers volun-teers don't work out because they are swamped with their own assignments toward the end of the quarter, and that's when I need them most." ROSEMARIE ESTIMATES it takes her two or three times longer to complete assignments assign-ments than a sighted person, but "you just have to allow for the extra time." She carries a full load of classes. Both Rosemarie and George Gorton will graduate in June with Master of Social Work degrees. GEORGE, WHO is completing his graduate practicum in marriage and family counseling, sees well enough to get around unassisted. unas-sisted. He uses a Visual-Tex machine which magnifies print for limited reading, and he depends on tapes or carbon-paper notes taken by fellow students for lectures. His greatest asset is his wife of 25 years who not only reads material and helps him witli papers but is a full-time student as well. George's 14-year-old son also helps in many ways. THE FAMILY lives in University Village. "When we first moved to Utah, George Jr. and I explored the campus thoroughly on our bikes, so I'd be able to get around by myself when school started. The only thing that really throws me are the potholes in the street. Just when I think I've got them memorized, a new one develops, and I have to be careful not to get swallowed up." At 43, George admits higher education is a tremendous opportunity and adventure that he almost missed. He dropped out of school in the 9th grade in Connecticut, went to work at 16 and was married at 18 "WHEN AUTOMATION finally put me out of work after 17 years, my counselor arranged for me to complete high school. Then I enrolled for two years at a community college." He finished in 1977, graduating with honors and a bachelor's degree in psychology, and already has been accepted into a doctoral program. Randy Gibbs, who is completing his first year of graduate study, followed a 'more orthodox route to higher education. HE GREW up in Utah and completed his undergraduate work at Brigham Young University. Although he began losing his vision at age 12, the deterioration was gradual and isn't expected to get worse. Two of his three brothers and sisters are also affected, but his problems were the first to develop in the family, and "for long time I wouldn't admit I had a problem," he says. "NINETY PERCNET of the problem is attitude," Randy asserts. "You have to reach the point where you accept your limitations and recognize recog-nize that you still have lots of options. You may have to do some things differently, but that doesn't mean you can't do them." |