Show Student graduates after 8 years e Brenda Upright Staff Writer TO 0 some graduation seems like reaching the top of a mountain after a year two-year hike but for Kenny Robertson his was an year eight-year climb will be graduating with a pair of year two-year degrees in business and marketing management The fact that he lives li with cerebral palsy only makes this accomplishment more in in- credible Robertson was born with the dis dis- dis- dis ease I couldn't move or even cry till I was three years old he said He said his parents took him to therapy until he was nine God gave my parents the courage and guidance to love me and make me what I am today I hope I too can help someone someday he said Robertson started school on the advice advice advice ad ad- vice of his parents and teachers and he said reality made me realize I could do it When asked why he didn't give up during his eight years at he said it was because of his many supportive friends My liMy friend Jeff Everett had mus mus- cular dystrophy and was always concerned concerned concerned con con- about others Before he died he was worried about his family he recalled Robertson said his death made him look at his own life To liTo me rye Jeffs Jeff's love for life and learning is what keeps me coming back During the past years at the College College College Col Col- lege has seen many chan chan- He has noticed the work the administration administration administration ad ad- ministration has made to improve access and attitude for the physically challenged The liThe campus has gotten more accessible accessible accessible sible for everyone and the tutoring program has improved he said He feels the school is recognizing the needs of its it's students better When I first got here I l tried to tomake tomake tomake make things more accessible for all people and it was like ramming my head against a concrete pillar Today President Budd is changing things drastically I cant can't say enough good things about him he said Robertson feels the president has hasgood hasgood hasgood good interaction with his students Hes here for all of us Robertson added that he is grateful to his teachers He said most have been helpful and understanding I would like to thank them because they didn't M s n c Zip r t Y wi f i r r rt t 4 l w wI I iT h t f I Horizon photo Ed Ute Ule The Singers and College Chorale under the direction of Lyle Archibald held their last concert of the year Music of the Americas in Redwood campus' campus Little Theatre on Friday May 28 fe feel l sorry for me They treated me like anyone else He said he was grateful they allowed him to take part in hi all the activities that are offered because hes he's just as capable to do things as others When told he cant can't do something said I prove to them that I Ican can He admits hes he's not perfect though h hes he's s 's not a fast typist but said hes he's trying to overcome it Robertson said he feels the attitude towards the physically challenged has improved tremendously not only at but everywhere He personally feels that the disabled need to unite to work together Right now they get together but they disappear because they dont don't want to be labeled disabled he said Im proud to be a disabled person because Im I'm unique 1 7 wish people could see other differences than the phy physical ical capabilities of a person I 1 think if if we could get over it we would have a happier happier happier hap hap- pier society For future plans he would like to open a business with his father I would like to build accessible housing for all people Looking back on the past eight years at he says that he hopes he made J F Fir fire firer ir- ir r TI i if f t z Horizon pho photo Ed Ed Ule Kenny Robertson receives an award from Professor of Business Communications and Marketing Curtis at last weeks week's annual student awards banquet a difference for past and future students He feels that when he graduates next spring he wont won't stop learning It lilt will be bea a different challenge Ill I'll always be a student student student stu stu- stu- stu dent theres there's a new new universe out there to teach us |