My Why
“What you said to me a year ago has changed my life, and you probably don’t even know it,” my friend Natasha told me.
“What do you mean?” I asked her.
“When you told me that you buy two tickets to things you want to experience, and then later figure out who is coming with you. It’s been a year since my divorce and I have done more in this past year than I ever did in my 10 years of marriage.” Natasha explained.
“Well, yeah!" I exclaimed.
To me, that didn’t seem revolutionary advice, but I was so touched at how my words had impacted Natasha’s life in a monumental way. Being diagnosed with a progressive disability where you are constantly reminded your time on this earth is limited, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to live my life as freely as possible. My advice was me just me being me.
Natasha had asked me to be a guest on her podcast, “The Lion 40 Podcast.” This year’s focus was on people who are leaders with a difference or unique perspective. The funny thing is I don’t see myself as a leader. Natasha is the founder of her own company, has her Ph.D., is a mom, and teaches college students. To me, those are leadership roles.
I just have a dog and am an academic advisor. That doesn’t qualify me as a leader to speak on a podcast about, well, leadership. The more I started talking to Natasha, the more I realized, I had more leadership qualities than I thought. Having a whole team of caregivers that I manage is being a leader. I am a leader in the Athens community for disability rights. So, maybe I am a leader.
Natasha asked her guest speakers for a website, social handles, and a headshot. All these things I did not have. I had had this idea of supporting students with disabilities for a little while since in my role at UGA. From my own experience, I know there is little to no support for students with disabilities at college. It is truly up to the student if they sink or swim, and I quickly realized that in my own college days. That’s another blog, or several.
But, being in my new role, I saw how there were people and processes in place for other special populations at college to create community, have resources, and transition to college. There was none for students with disabilities. I had students with disabilities coming to me asking how to live and thrive at college. They had questions no one can answer unless you’ve lived it yourself.
I’ve guided other students before my academic advising role, and considered it paying it forward. I had a friend that paved the way for me to go to UGA, and I was happy to do that for others. Well, my annual review came and I discussed with my supervisor at UGA about these issues I was seeing. She suggested I look into College Success Coaching and encouraged me to pursue it. I had never heard of it but immediately knew it’s what I am called to do.
I had always wanted to tell my story and encourage others with disabilities to be independent, but I continuously had doubts. “Why would anyone listen to me,” “who would care,” “who am I to tell people this message,” and “I’m just being me, that’s not motivating.” All these thoughts would run in my head.
So, I was pushed to launch this business thanks to my boss at UGA, Natasha, and another employee of Natasha’s named Amy. That’s another blog (I’ve really got to start working on all these stories!).
Then, as I was starting to work on my business, the expenses were rising. I was getting stressed and worried as I had no extra income. A prayer was answered and I had applied to my job’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award.
I wrote a two-paged paper on how I’ve furthered DE&I initiatives within the college and I won! With the award came $1,000 towards a DE&I initiative. I was thrilled to use it for the start of my business. Big things are coming, and I’m thankful to have you along the journey!
You can read my paper for the award HERE. Below is what the college wrote about me being the recipient.
Marcella is a fierce advocate for accessibility and inclusion. Marcella has recruited and comforted students from diverse backgrounds who were uneasy about coming to UGA. The Disability Resource Center often sends students to her for mentoring, which is over-and-above her work as an advisor. She has advocated for physical improvements to our building, and works individually with students to help them navigate UGA’s maze to find the resources they need, whether an adapted camera or a wheelchair repair shop.