Interview with Arnie Slater

Firebaugh, Bethany: Okay, perfect. Well, first off, it's nice to finally meet you face to face. Before we start, I just want to take a couple of moments to go over a few things. Firebaugh, Bethany: I know I introduced myself over email, but this is my formal introduction. My name is Bethany Firebaugh. I am a history major and a rising senior here at Towson and I am currently one of the 3 student research assistants working on the Unearthing TU History Project Firebaugh, Bethany: again. I want to thank you so much for taking time out of your day to speak with us. As I mentioned in my first email. This interview request came in conjunction with the Unearthing TU History Project, which aims to uncover and reflect Towson's History of Diversity. I just want to verify that you signed the oral history contract and that you're okay with us recording. Firebaugh, Bethany: okay, perfect. we have roughly 20 questions to ask you today about your experience attending Towson as a student in the late eighties and early nineties. And before we begin, do you have any questions for me?

Samsung SM-G781V: No. I'm Samsung SM-G781V: kind of a history buff myself. So I think, you know, Samsung SM-G781V: we've already got a lot of common. Firebaugh, Bethany: I love that. Perfect. Let's go ahead and get started. Then

Firebaugh, Bethany: can you just take a moment to briefly describe what made you decide to give an oral history as a part of this project. Samsung SM-G781V: Sure. Samsung SM-G781V: I am disabled. I have Cerebral Palsy. And I attended Towson Samsung SM-G781V: university between either 90 or 91. And I graduated in 93. I'm a little foggy as to whether I started in 91 or 90. But

Samsung SM-G781V: alright! Samsung SM-G781V: I don't remember Samsung SM-G781V: seeing a whole lot of disabled students at Towson at the time. There were a couple but it wasn't like we all hung out, and Samsung SM-G781V: we're incredibly social. and Towson's a big campus, so there's lots of people. So you know, you don't always bump into the same people all the time.

Samsung SM-G781V: but I enjoyed my time at Towson Samsung SM-G781V: I don't think what else? Samsung SM-G781V: Well, the the reason I decided to to do the to do the interview was because I thought maybe Samsung SM-G781V: sharing my experiences as a disabled student to some might be helpful to somebody else coming in to Towson

Samsung SM-G781V: I I Samsung SM-G781V: I think. Samsung SM-G781V: my experience Samsung SM-G781V: might help somebody down the road.

Samsung SM-G781V: Yeah. Firebaugh, Bethany: for sure. the bulk of my research Firebaugh, Bethany: this summer has focused on looking into the history of disability services at Towson, and unfortunately, we don't have a ton of documentation in the archives Firebaugh, Bethany: on these services. So this is definitely helping fill that gap. So I do appreciate you being here

Firebaugh, Bethany: no, it's all good. And then for what reasons did you attend? Did you choose to attend Towson State University? Samsung SM-G781V: Well. Samsung SM-G781V: Towson was all I mean. I I grew up in Maryland. Samsung SM-G781V: I'm in Virginia now, but I grew up in Rockville, Maryland.

Samsung SM-G781V: and Towson was a in state school with a good reputation, and they had a excellent occupational therapy program at that time. And that's that's what Samsung SM-G781V: I was interested in. I wanted to. I wanted to help other disabled people. and That was my whole Samsung SM-G781V: goal was to Samsung SM-G781V: get a degree in OT or

Samsung SM-G781V: or even sports medicine. I studied a little bit of both. Samsung SM-G781V: Ultimately I was turned away from Samsung SM-G781V: Ot. We'll get into that later. but Samsung SM-G781V: you know, life throws you a couple of curveballs along the way.

Samsung SM-G781V: So you you adapt and change Samsung SM-G781V: I was. I was forced to change my major, pretty much right before I graduated. It was kinda tumultuous Samsung SM-G781V: but Samsung SM-G781V: I got through it.

Firebaugh, Bethany: Yes, life does have a way of throwing curveballs, unfortunately. And what were your first impressions of campus when you started here. Samsung SM-G781V: My first impression was it was huge. Samsung SM-G781V: you, but it turned out to be not as big as I thought it was. I mean, it's still a big campus, but Samsung SM-G781V: I was able to walk from one side of the campus to the other.

Samsung SM-G781V: many times a day. Samsung SM-G781V: I walked everywhere, or I took the shuttle bus. Samsung SM-G781V: So I being I'm 55 now. I don't know if I could walk as much as I did Samsung SM-G781V: when I was 20.

Samsung SM-G781V: But I walked everywhere. I even walked to Towson Town Center. I mean. Samsung SM-G781V: that's that's Samsung SM-G781V: pretty good walk. Firebaugh, Bethany: Yes, yes it is. And then how would you describe your relationship with your fellow students and faculty during your time at Towson?

Samsung SM-G781V: I was I was Samsung SM-G781V: very well received. I'm not a shy person. So Samsung SM-G781V: I I luckily I make friends easy. So Samsung SM-G781V: people see me coming, and I if they don't say Hi to me, I say Hi to them.

Samsung SM-G781V: um Samsung SM-G781V: you get what you give, so I try to give. Samsung SM-G781V: put out positive vibes. Firebaugh, Bethany: It's definitely an admirable trait to have. My wife is sitting here making faces at me.

Firebaugh, Bethany: And then, during your time at Towson, did you feel like you were treated equally or different than your peers. Samsung SM-G781V: Nobody treated me differently. Samsung SM-G781V: I I Samsung SM-G781V: didn't really. I didn't give.

Samsung SM-G781V: I don't think I gave the vibes that said, you know. Samsung SM-G781V: Treat me differently. I, you know I think Samsung SM-G781V: my attitude was Hi, how you doing? And if they if they Samsung SM-G781V: talk to me.

Samsung SM-G781V: you know we started a conversation. Samsung SM-G781V: Um, I kind of stuck out in the crowd. Samsung SM-G781V: My, My Cerebral Palsy affects my the way I walk, so I can't hide it. Samsung SM-G781V: But the and no matter how hard I try, you can't.

Samsung SM-G781V: There's just a very distinctive way that I walk Samsung SM-G781V: a distinctive gate. Samsung SM-G781V: can't miss it. so I have no choice but to deal with Samsung SM-G781V: people watching, staring, and eventually they'll be curious enough, and they'll ask me

Samsung SM-G781V: what happened. I get that all the time. But Samsung SM-G781V: The fact that I, my upper body, was very well developed at the time was also a conversation start. I was kind of like a gorilla on stilts. Firebaugh, Bethany: So Samsung SM-G781V: I, I stuck out in a crowd. That's for sure.

Firebaugh, Bethany: right? Because I think the article about you in the Towerlight mentions that Samsung SM-G781V: you were really into body building. Correct? Samsung SM-G781V: Yes, before I got to Towson I had already Samsung SM-G781V: beem

Samsung SM-G781V: crowned Mr. Handicap Annapolis. Samsung SM-G781V: I I can, which was the first. It was the first Samsung SM-G781V: contest that I had ever heard of that allowed for disabled athletes. So when I found out about it, I I signed on immediately, and I did it, and there were only Samsung SM-G781V: 3 or 4 other contestants in that division.

Samsung SM-G781V: so I won that, and I was, I was Mr. Handicap Annapolis Samsung SM-G781V: for Samsung SM-G781V: 1989, I think. Samsung SM-G781V: But, so I got a big trophy for that. and that opened up,

Samsung SM-G781V: I, because of that I was able to compete nationally Samsung SM-G781V: in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida at the like, I think it was the Third National Wheelchair Body Building Competition, and wheelchair was just a term for Samsung SM-G781V: any competitor who was disabled so it could be fair. We all were on stage Samsung SM-G781V: in wheelchairs, because you're judged basically from the waste up. So to be fair to the competitors who could not walk. We're all on stage in wheelchairs. so it's pretty cool. And now

Samsung SM-G781V: that whole organization. Samsung SM-G781V: Now there's a Mr. Samsung SM-G781V: Mr. Wheelchair, Olympia, along with the Mr. Olympia contest. bodybuilding has gotten kind of Samsung SM-G781V: crazy. I don't really follow it anymore.

Samsung SM-G781V: but because I I don't. I don't. Samsung SM-G781V: I'll be honest. I don't do it anymore. I I've run into age and time and Samsung SM-G781V: it's it's harder. Samsung SM-G781V: So I can't do what I did at 20 at 55.

Samsung SM-G781V: So Samsung SM-G781V: but I enjoyed what I did at the time. Firebaugh, Bethany: Yeah, absolutely. And it's definitely a very impressive feat. Firebaugh, Bethany: And then, in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, the University sponsored Handicap Awareness wWek in an attempt to eradicate social barriers that disabled students sometimes faced. did you see any evidence of this event during your time at TSU.

Samsung SM-G781V: Honestly, I don't remember any of that. Samsung SM-G781V: it might it. It may be that the article was the reason that I was approached. Samsung SM-G781V: maybe maybe that that whole thing, you know. Samsung SM-G781V: handicap awareness week.

Samsung SM-G781V: maybe that was the impetus for the interview in the first place. I don't know, but I don't remember anything major, you know things going on to highlight Samsung SM-G781V: disability awareness at the time. but at the time I mean, I was there. I was focused on my studies. I, Samsung SM-G781V: you know, when you get kind of tunnel vision. So everything there, unless it's something really big and obnoxious. I'm not going to Samsung SM-G781V: remember it.

Firebaugh, Bethany: No, that's completely valid. College is definitely very stressful, and something that does take a lot of time and focus Firebaugh, Bethany: and then, during your years leading during the years leading up to your attendance at TSU, campus had steadily been growing, and this subsequently caused a lot of construction. Did this affect the accessibility of campus at all? Samsung SM-G781V: Not really. I remember they were building the walkway across Samsung SM-G781V: one of the main roads, and then they were. They built a like an apartment complex

Samsung SM-G781V: on the other side, that they were going to open up to students, and that was a big deal. Everybody was like trying to get on the list to get in the into those brand new Samsung SM-G781V: units Samsung SM-G781V: and they were built. They were in the process of building that walkway Samsung SM-G781V: across that road. I forget whether it was Joppa or

Samsung SM-G781V: what's that. Firebaugh, Bethany: Osler? Samsung SM-G781V: I'm I'm not sure which road across. It wasn't York Road. or maybe it was I don't know Samsung SM-G781V: but

Samsung SM-G781V: It was this big walkway that Samsung SM-G781V: connected the campus to this to this Samsung SM-G781V: apartment complex across the street that they were building. so you didn't have to. You didn't have to cross the road. Samsung SM-G781V: You just walked over the walkway. I'm assuming that's there. I don't know what I don't know what road it crosses

Firebaugh, Bethany: but I haven't been to. I haven't been back to Towson in Samsung SM-G781V: decades. So it, you know, it's I just don't have any real reason to go back up that way. Firebaugh, Bethany: To be completely honest, I've been going here for 2 years, and I still don't have all the road names memorized. Samsung SM-G781V: Well, I know York Road is the main one, and then I think there's Joppa. and then lock Raven Boulevard, or something. Is it right?

Firebaugh, Bethany: Those are the 3 that I remember Samsung SM-G781V: cause everywhere you went you went up and down York Road. So that was like the main Samsung SM-G781V: main road. Samsung SM-G781V: But everywhere I went. I walked because I didn't have a car. The only other.

Samsung SM-G781V: The option was Samsung SM-G781V: the campus shuttle and the campus shuttle did take me to my internship. I had an internship at Pickersgill nursing home Samsung SM-G781V: cause I changed my major Samsung SM-G781V: to sociology and gerontology, gerontology being the study of aging.

Samsung SM-G781V: Um, you know, because again I wanted to. My whole thing was, I wanted to help people. Samsung SM-G781V: and I had at the time I had a great grandmother who was over 100, Samsung SM-G781V: and it was like what made her live that long? Samsung SM-G781V: I don't know. So I was curious. So I thought, Okay, there's more geriatric people. you know, the geriatric population is living longer. I have job that'll give me job security?

Samsung SM-G781V: so I I got a degree in sociology and gerontology ultimately. Samsung SM-G781V: Now, if you ask me, what am I doing with it? Samsung SM-G781V: absolutely nothing. Samsung SM-G781V: I work. I worked in nursing homes for a couple of years and I it. I burned out really quickly.

Samsung SM-G781V: So I ended up. I I worked in education right now I'm semi retired, and I work Samsung SM-G781V: as a substitute teacher in green county public schools. Samsung SM-G781V: And I I did special education in Montgomery County, Maryland. for 18 years. Samsung SM-G781V: So

Samsung SM-G781V: in that way I was helping disabled children get through school. Samsung SM-G781V: and that was something. When I was their age. Samsung SM-G781V: They didn't really have a program to help Samsung SM-G781V: kids

Samsung SM-G781V: with disabilities get through Samsung SM-G781V: their education. Samsung SM-G781V: so the idea of helping those kids. Samsung SM-G781V: I thought that was a good thing. And I I really enjoyed it this way. I got to work with kids. I got to help disabled kids get through school.

Samsung SM-G781V: and and I kind of set an example for them. They they'd see me coming like I said. I can't hide the fact that I have. Cp. Samsung SM-G781V: it's very clear. But Samsung SM-G781V: I you know I drive a car. I have family, I have a house Samsung SM-G781V: all the things that everybody else has I have, and I got under my own power.

Samsung SM-G781V: So I I think that sends the right message to Samsung SM-G781V: younger kids coming up just because you have some disability Samsung SM-G781V: doesn't mean you can't Samsung SM-G781V: function and survive and thrive

Samsung SM-G781V: in the real world. Firebaugh, Bethany: Oh, for sure. And every kid needs a role model that they can look up to Firebaugh, Bethany: And then I know you mentioned in an email with Ashley that your dorm room was on the top floor of your building. Even with your Cp. Did this make it difficult to access at all? Samsung SM-G781V: It didn't. didn't cause any problems with access.

Samsung SM-G781V: The thing that struck me was during fire drills when you weren't allowed to use the elevators, which was the whole. you know. So I'm I I I think there were 12 floors. I was in Tower C, Samsung SM-G781V: and I think Samsung SM-G781V: I think there were 12 floors. and we were my my roommates and I. We were on the top floor. Samsung SM-G781V: So during random fire drills, or whatever I was forced to go down 12 flights of stairs Which I thought was kind of like.

Samsung SM-G781V: Somebody didn't think this out very well. but I was young. I was in my twenties. Samsung SM-G781V: so I didn't complain. I just figured out a way to get down the stairs really fast. Samsung SM-G781V: Ultimately I grabbed. Samsung SM-G781V: I grabbed either side of the railings down the stairs and slid down the railing

Samsung SM-G781V: as fast as I could. Samsung SM-G781V: and that worked, and luckily I never messed up, and then never fell or never hurt anybody so. Samsung SM-G781V: That worked! But it just struck me. I that should never have been. Samsung SM-G781V: I should never have been put on the twelfth floor.

Samsung SM-G781V: But again I was 20. Who am I going to complain to? Samsung SM-G781V: When would they even listen? I didn't know. So Firebaugh, Bethany: so at the time of your attendance at TSU, the Office of Special Needs, which was renamed Handicapped Student Services in the fall of 1990, was supposed to help make campus and it's various programs Firebaugh, Bethany: accessible for disabled students. Were you registered with this office? And did you ever bring up the issue of housing with them?

Samsung SM-G781V: I was registered. I don't think that ever mentioned the housing issue with them. Samsung SM-G781V: I would just like, you know. It is what it is. I like my roommates. I didn't want to move anywhere. Samsung SM-G781V: so Samsung SM-G781V: I adapted. And but I did register with the office of

Samsung SM-G781V: disability student services. Samsung SM-G781V: When I arrived at Towson Samsung SM-G781V: and they Samsung SM-G781V: they did help me like I said. They help me arrange for a shuttle

Samsung SM-G781V: from the campus to my internship. Samsung SM-G781V: One of the campus buses took me, just me, in this big bus to pickergill nursing home every morning at like 7 am. Samsung SM-G781V: And then they picked me up on my internship was done. Samsung SM-G781V: so yeah, they they helped me. And then, like 3 quarters of the way through my time at Towson, I it was discovered that I had ADD,

Samsung SM-G781V: Attention Deficit Disorder, which I was unaware of, which caused a lot of problems with me trying to study anatomy and physiology and things like that Firebaugh, Bethany: I can only imagine. Samsung SM-G781V: Oh, my gosh. Firebaugh, Bethany: I I

Samsung SM-G781V: I thought I was going to! Honestly, I thought I was having a nervous breakdown, and because I just couldn't absorb Samsung SM-G781V: the information that was in front of me. and I kind of panicked Samsung SM-G781V: But I ended up. Samsung SM-G781V: I ended up getting tested, and they found it. Oh, this is the problem you you have ADD

Samsung SM-G781V: And so I was diagnosed with A.D.D, but I wasn't given any medication or anything to do, but being aware, made a difference and the student services, the disability student services. Samsung SM-G781V: Because of that. Samsung SM-G781V: I was allowed to take a test in a quiet space Samsung SM-G781V: which helped tremendously.

Samsung SM-G781V: And being able to to do that made a world of difference, and I couldn't. I couldn't have done that without the student services. Firebaugh, Bethany: And I know with those services Firebaugh, Bethany: you had to identify and register Firebaugh, Bethany: yourself.

Firebaugh, Bethany: How did you become aware of this office when you first started at Towson. Like was it advertised to you? Samsung SM-G781V: I think, when I first Samsung SM-G781V: came to Towson, somebody said that, either a counselor or the Samsung SM-G781V: who is it? The RA, the

Samsung SM-G781V: you know the person in charge of your floor, or whatever Samsung SM-G781V: one of those people said, Hey, you know you should talk to these people. Samsung SM-G781V: They might be able to help you with some stuff. Samsung SM-G781V: so I I search them out and and registered

Samsung SM-G781V: But I don't remember. Actually, I don't actually remember who was that said, Hey, you should talk to some, this, these people. Samsung SM-G781V: but somebody I somebody did, because I I did register. Firebaugh, Bethany: Okay, Firebaugh, Bethany: And then

Firebaugh, Bethany: moving back over to the topic of sports Firebaugh, Bethany: for a little bit, did you continue any sports, like the body building and powerlifting that you did before Towson? And did you continue any sports during your time? I most certainly did. I spent a lot of time in the old Berdick Hall Samsung SM-G781V: Oh, I haven't seen, and I've seen pictures of the new gym. I can't believe it. Firebaugh, Bethany: because

Samsung SM-G781V: when I was there Berdick Hall was literally a converted auxiliary gym Samsung SM-G781V: that had been beat to hell Samsung SM-G781V: and Samsung SM-G781V: was super rough. I think there was one fluorescent lamp in the ceiling. That sort of worked

Samsung SM-G781V: and Samsung SM-G781V: the the the floor was basically. It was a partition to Basketball Court. Samsung SM-G781V: that I think one wall opened up to make it a full basketball court, but they they turned it into an auxiliary gym, so there was a Samsung SM-G781V: an ancient universal gym in the middle.

Samsung SM-G781V: and some some barbells, and have free weights Samsung SM-G781V: to one side. And that was it. Samsung SM-G781V: But that was basically all I need Samsung SM-G781V: and having access to to that allowed me to

Samsung SM-G781V: maintain my body building. And really, for me, it was stress management. Samsung SM-G781V: I, Samsung SM-G781V: you know. at the end of a tough day studying, or whatever I would go to the gym and just Samsung SM-G781V: work out and take out my frustration. In fact, that's how I met

Samsung SM-G781V: Melvin Durai, the guy that interviewed me for the Tower light Samsung SM-G781V: he happened to be in the gym. This skinny little guy. Samsung SM-G781V: this skinny little Indian guy. Samsung SM-G781V: is in the gym, and he's like watching me.

Samsung SM-G781V: and I'm like. Samsung SM-G781V: And eventually he came over Samsung SM-G781V: and said, Can I ask you some questions. Samsung SM-G781V: I said, Sure!

Samsung SM-G781V: And so he was asking me about my workout, and why I did what I did and how I got started. Then he says. Samsung SM-G781V: Hey, I I write for the Towerlight, can I do Samsung SM-G781V: an article about you? Samsung SM-G781V: And I said, Sure, so that's how that

Samsung SM-G781V: came about. He followed me around the gym for the day and watched what I did, and then followed me back to my dorm room. Samsung SM-G781V: you know, and so. Samsung SM-G781V: walking from Burdick Hall back to The Towers. That's a good walk. Samsung SM-G781V: And I think

Samsung SM-G781V: Melvin was Samsung SM-G781V: kind of shocked that I could Samsung SM-G781V: spend an hour and a half or 2 hours in the gym, and then walk all the way back to my dorm Samsung SM-G781V: But again I was 20 something

Samsung SM-G781V: young, and spry Firebaugh, Bethany: To be honest, I don't think I could do two hours at the gym and then walk back to my apartment! Samsung SM-G781V: I just Samsung SM-G781V: I don't think I didn't. I don't think about.

Samsung SM-G781V: you know. Samsung SM-G781V: Oh, is this going to be hard? I I just think about okay. Samsung SM-G781V: I want to be. I want to achieve this. Samsung SM-G781V: And I have to get from A to B

Samsung SM-G781V: So I do whatever I gotta do to get to A to B. Samsung SM-G781V: I you know Samsung SM-G781V: I only think about it later, if it if it causes me a great deal of stress or pain. Samsung SM-G781V: it's like, Oh, wow! That was that was too much. Maybe I shouldn't. Maybe I should do that. But

Samsung SM-G781V: I I tend to be like a bull in a china shop. I I Samsung SM-G781V: charge ahead and think about the repercussions later. Firebaugh, Bethany: and then so addition additionally to that, were you involved in any clubs or organizations. Samsung SM-G781V: I really

Samsung SM-G781V: I really wasn't Samsung SM-G781V: I mean your studies. Take up a lot of your time and fraternities and things like that Samsung SM-G781V: that cost money, and I didn't have money so. Samsung SM-G781V: But I had lots of friends who were already in fraternities and things like that. So a couple of my roommates were in fraternities so vicariously I had access to different events and things like that. But really

Samsung SM-G781V: I got involved with a church group off of campus. One of my friends that I met at Towson was Catholic and very active in a local church group. Samsung SM-G781V: And so we we had a group of friends basically through the church. And we did stuff together. Samsung SM-G781V: The church would have spaghetti dinners, things like that. Samsung SM-G781V: so that was really

Samsung SM-G781V: the only organization that I really got involved with other than I did. Take a class in sports management because I was thinking about the possibility of Samsung SM-G781V: opening my own gym Samsung SM-G781V: with this focus on disabled Samsung SM-G781V: athletes like myself.

Samsung SM-G781V: that was my idea. So I took sports management. Samsung SM-G781V: I can't remember the instructor, but I remember he was very enthusiastic, and you know, typical Jock. And so everybody in there was sports medicine or sports management majors. Samsung SM-G781V: but that was a really interesting course. And that was like the start of me trying to organize my thoughts as far as Samsung SM-G781V: the possibility of opening this gym later. Nothing ever came with it

Samsung SM-G781V: but That's what I wanted to do at the time if if Ot didn't work out, and then Samsung SM-G781V: Ot didn't work out Samsung SM-G781V: And then opening the gym didn't work out. But I ended up. Samsung SM-G781V: I ended up working in nursing homes for a while, and then I ended up in education. So you know. life changes all the time.

Firebaugh, Bethany: Oh, for sure. Samsung SM-G781V: Sometimes we end up in a different place than we thought we were going to land. Samsung SM-G781V: Yeah, originally I was an art student. I wanted to go to art college. And become, originally I wanted to be a cartoonist for marvel comics. I wanted to draw Samsung SM-G781V: superheroes.

Samsung SM-G781V: But again, my father was an artist, and my father is like, Hey, comic book artist are a dime a dozen, don't do that. Samsung SM-G781V: Going intobusiness, study something else. He wanted me to get into into business, because that's what he did, and I wanted to do the exact opposite of what my father was doing. I did not want to be a Samsung SM-G781V: computer guy or salesman. Samsung SM-G781V: I wanted to do something where I work with people and I help help them

Samsung SM-G781V: So I got there. But it was a Samsung SM-G781V: it was a windy road. Firebaugh, Bethany: Sometimes things are, have a roundabout way of coming. But Firebaugh, Bethany: and then

Firebaugh, Bethany: what is your favorite memory from your time at TSU? Samsung SM-G781V: Well, I was. I was thinking about this. There's a couple of things Samsung SM-G781V: the friends I made at Towson Samsung SM-G781V: I I made a handful of really good friends, and we're still friends. We we keep in touch via the Internet.

Samsung SM-G781V: and So those friends are are valuable. one guy was Samsung SM-G781V: one of the friends from the church group he had a little Suzuki motorcycle that he pooled around campus on. Samsung SM-G781V: and many times he'd give me a ride to where I wanted to go on the back of his bike. Samsung SM-G781V: Now for me to get on the back of a motorcycle. I'm 6'1. Okay.

Samsung SM-G781V: I'm tall and awkward. Samsung SM-G781V: so this big guy getting on this little bike with this little guy Samsung SM-G781V: in front. Samsung SM-G781V: probably looked kind of crazy.

Samsung SM-G781V: and it probably was. but we didn't care it. It it worked. I got from a to b Samsung SM-G781V: but I don't think I'd do it again. Firebaugh, Bethany: I haven't been on a bike since. Firebaugh, Bethany: Motor cycles are a little scary for me, personally.

Samsung SM-G781V: I got used to it because we get around to campus really fast. Samsung SM-G781V: But I I haven't done anything like that since. Firebaugh, Bethany: Hey, when in college! Samsung SM-G781V: Yeah. The other thing that I remember is one Halloween.

Samsung SM-G781V: I was Samsung SM-G781V: studying anatomy and physiology, and I used to study in the in the cafeteria at Newell Hall Samsung SM-G781V: all the time. Samsung SM-G781V: and one of the cafeteria people approached me and asked me

Samsung SM-G781V: if I would do some artwork Samsung SM-G781V: for Newell Hall for for the dining area for Halloween. Samsung SM-G781V: So I said, Sure. Samsung SM-G781V: So they gave me these big roles of butcher paper. I think it was brown. Yeah, and all all the kinds of I I think I had pastels and

Samsung SM-G781V: paints if I wanted it. I think I used pastels and markers. Samsung SM-G781V: But I I made a bunch of Samsung SM-G781V: Halloween themed murals Samsung SM-G781V: for the Newell Hall dining hall

Samsung SM-G781V: and I think they took pictures and posted it somewhere. because, nobody really knew I was an art student until One of the people saw me making sketches for anatomy and physiology. Samsung SM-G781V: and they ask Samsung SM-G781V: if I would do something for Halloween. So that's how that Samsung SM-G781V: ended up. But So that was kind of cool

Samsung SM-G781V: But other than that I didn't really get to do much art at Towson. Firebaugh, Bethany: No, that's very cool. I've always been envious of people that have artistic ability because I have absolutely none. Samsung SM-G781V: Well, I wanted to go to Maryland. The Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore. Samsung SM-G781V: but my father so you know, don't do that, you? You know you.

Samsung SM-G781V: You need to Samsung SM-G781V: focus on, you know, a a real career. Now it's funny, because my dad Samsung SM-G781V: he retired, and all he did after he retired was paint. Samsung SM-G781V: and he call me and say, Are you? Are you sketching every day, or you painting every day? I'm like that. I wanted to do this 10 years ago. You know

Samsung SM-G781V: but Samsung SM-G781V: I still paint. I still still draw, not as much as I'd like. but I'm I want to be writer. So I've I've written a couple of things, and I've illustrated. I illustrated a children's book in 2005. Samsung SM-G781V: It's on Amazon kindle. Samsung SM-G781V: So if you search my name on Amazon. There's about 4 or 5 different things that I've written that will pop up

Samsung SM-G781V: I'm trying to publish my autobiography about my myself and my wife. My wife is also disabled. She has Ms. In a wheelchair. Samsung SM-G781V: but she's a world-class classical saxophonist. Samsung SM-G781V: so she's traveled all over the world, played for presidents and just about anybody you can imagine she's played with or for Samsung SM-G781V: She currently plays saxophone for the c-ville band where we live

Samsung SM-G781V: in Charlottesville, Virginia. Samsung SM-G781V: So she's very busy as a teacher and a musician. Samsung SM-G781V: but her story is even cooler than mine, but together I thought it was pretty good stories. So Samsung SM-G781V: I took it took me 4 years to write, and it's taken me almost that long trying to get it published. probably going to end up doing self-publishing.

Samsung SM-G781V: But it'll get out there eventually. Firebaugh, Bethany: No, that's amazing. I wish you the best of luck in your publishing journey. Samsung SM-G781V: Yeah. Well, and it really is. It's a journey. It's not. It's not Samsung SM-G781V: simple. I've been.

Samsung SM-G781V: you know. I've I've received hundreds of very nice rejection letters. Samsung SM-G781V: But so I'm probably going to end up self publishing. I'm just out of frustration. I just want to get my story out there. Firebaugh, Bethany: No, that's completely valid. And on that note, what would you say that your greatest personal accomplishment has been? Samsung SM-G781V: honestly my children. I have 2 adult daughters

Samsung SM-G781V: who are able bodied and they are. They are Samsung SM-G781V: the end all be all for me. I mean, you know. Samsung SM-G781V: personal achievements, trophies, medals, accomplishments. Samsung SM-G781V: that's all great. but doesn't hold the candle to the family.

Firebaugh, Bethany: I can totally understand that, family is something that is very important to myself. Firebaugh, Bethany: And then, when you look back and reflect on your time at TSU, Firebaugh, Bethany: How do you remember it? Samsung SM-G781V: I remember

Samsung SM-G781V: pretty much everything I told I mean, I remember Burdick Hall vividly because I spent so much time there, the old Burdick Hall Samsung SM-G781V: In fact, I wrote, I wrote about it Samsung SM-G781V: in my book. I wrote about Towson in particular. Samsung SM-G781V: just because

there were Samsung SM-G781V: some crazy events. Samsung SM-G781V: and so they're in there, you know. Samsung SM-G781V: but Burdick Hall, I remember Newell Hall. It has a special place in my heart, just because that was my first dorm and I always felt like the breakfast at Newell Hall, where the best.

Samsung SM-G781V: so Samsung SM-G781V: I don't know about now, but Samsung SM-G781V: back in the day Samsung SM-G781V: it couldn't be beat, so I always had breakfast at Newell Hall, and then I had dinner in the Tower

Samsung SM-G781V: or Samsung SM-G781V: Is the RAT still there? Samsung SM-G781V: Is that still there like the big social gathering? Then one of the buildings. It was like this big Samsung SM-G781V: social gathering where you could watch Monday night football and have a beer on campus.

Firebaugh, Bethany: I thought it was still here. Samsung SM-G781V: I mean, do they call? Do they still call it the Rat? Firebaugh, Bethany: No. Todd-Diaz, Ashley: I think that was just turned into something else. They just renovated the Union

Samsung SM-G781V: because it had like a bowling alley and various things in there as well, I believe. Yeah, it was the ground floor, the student union, I couldn't remember what building but that was. It was the ground floor, the student union. And on Monday nights people would gather in there. And they you, they had big screen TV, we watch football and and Samsung SM-G781V: the beer was cheap. So Samsung SM-G781V: that was a good draw. Firebaugh, Bethany: So would you say, you remember your time fondly then?

Samsung SM-G781V: yeah, yeah. Samsung SM-G781V: yeah, it wasn't easy. Nothing worth doing is easy. Samsung SM-G781V: But ultimately, yeah, I I enjoyed it a lot. There, there are people that I I Samsung SM-G781V: attended Towson with that I would that I wish I could find. But

Samsung SM-G781V: Then I have friends that I've kept in touch with Samsung SM-G781V: all these years. Samsung SM-G781V: I yeah, I have very fond memories. Firebaugh, Bethany: And then, were there any programs or activities that you wish you could have been involved in, but that did not find the opportunity to do so?

Samsung SM-G781V: well, like I mentioned earlier, Originally, I was studying occupational therapy. Samsung SM-G781V: and ultimately I was turned away. Because, Samsung SM-G781V: I your junior year. You you have a audit. You know where they look at your grades. And they say, Okay, if you are you on track Samsung SM-G781V: to do what you want to do.

Samsung SM-G781V: and I, my counselor, was a disabled woman. Samsung SM-G781V: I don't remember her name. but she told me at the time she said, you know no hospital in your their right mind is going to hire you as an OT Samsung SM-G781V: Because of the liability, you know you just. Samsung SM-G781V: you know, and at the time the ADA didn't exist.

Samsung SM-G781V: So Samsung SM-G781V: she was right. It was. That was sadly very true. it just so happens that like a year or 2 after I graduated from Towson, the ADA Samsung SM-G781V: came into full light. As a matter of fact, I worked as an intern for the National Center for Medical rehab and research, and unbeknownst to me at the time they were helping write the book Samsung SM-G781V: on the ADA

Samsung SM-G781V: so I was right there on the ground floor, and I had this book in my hand. I didn't really know what it was. Samsung SM-G781V: But Samsung SM-G781V: these guys were on the board of directors. They were all disabled. and they were writing Samsung SM-G781V: the ADA Law with the with Dustin Dart

Samsung SM-G781V: Is it Dustin or Justin, I don't know. But one of the one of the main guys Samsung SM-G781V: Justin Dart Samsung SM-G781V: and George Bush. And Samsung SM-G781V: I mean

Samsung SM-G781V: all these, you know big Samsung SM-G781V: names. If you look at the history of the ADA. These guys were Samsung SM-G781V: at the top and I was just a little cog at the bottom Samsung SM-G781V: watching the whole thing unfold. But

Samsung SM-G781V: so I wish Samsung SM-G781V: I had not taking, her, that counselor's advice. I wish I had stuck to my guns and continue to study. Samsung SM-G781V: but she scared me, and she scared my dad, who was paying for the education. Firebaugh, Bethany: and he said.

Samsung SM-G781V: Okay, we've got to figure out Samsung SM-G781V: what your other options are, and I had to go in a different route. Samsung SM-G781V: I don't think that would have happened today. Samsung SM-G781V: that counselor wouldn't have said. Oh, you can't get a job doing that.

Firebaugh, Bethany: They would have, they would have figured it out and Samsung SM-G781V: helped me continue. Samsung SM-G781V: I think. Samsung SM-G781V: so that that's the only thing that that sticks in my back about

Samsung SM-G781V: Towson Samsung SM-G781V: wanted to get OT, and I was turned away Samsung SM-G781V: but it was a, it was a different time. You know, like, I said, the ADA didn't exist, yet. Samsung SM-G781V: Yeah.

Samsung SM-G781V: So she was right at the time. Samsung SM-G781V: so I had to, I had to think fast and change gears. Samsung SM-G781V: But that's life. Stuff happens all the time. Firebaugh, Bethany: Yes, unfortunately.

Firebaugh, Bethany: And is there anyone else that you think we should talk to about? Samsung SM-G781V: Well, Samsung SM-G781V: I was thinking about this, too. I like, I said. I'm not sure how many disabled students have gone through Towson State University. Samsung SM-G781V: but I would think, maybe

Samsung SM-G781V: talking to some of them about their experiences. That might be something I mean, maybe a whole other project. you know, whole different thing Samsung SM-G781V: to do. Samsung SM-G781V: I don't know if I was one of the first Samsung SM-G781V: disabled students or not.

Samsung SM-G781V: probably not. There's gotta be. There had to be more Firebaugh, Bethany: so. Unfortunately, like I said, there's not that much documentation. But I do know. By 1980 Firebaugh, Bethany: the University had around 120 physically disabled students. and Firebaugh, Bethany: as of current times, the University has around 2,500

Firebaugh, Bethany: students with various physical and mental disabilities and learning disabilities. Samsung SM-G781V: I would talk to them. see what they're what they're experiences are. Samsung SM-G781V: But I mean, that sounds like that could be an entire project in itself. Firebaugh, Bethany: Yeah, for sure. But

Samsung SM-G781V: I mean I just started this. My senior year, When I I graduated in January of 93 Samsung SM-G781V: and Samsung SM-G781V: After I graduated I got a phone call Samsung SM-G781V: from the university saying that there was an error

Samsung SM-G781V: in my transcript, and I was actually 3 credits short Samsung SM-G781V: and I panicked. I was like, Oh, you know Samsung SM-G781V: what do I do? And they said, well, you gotta. Samsung SM-G781V: You gotta finish your last 3 credits. And unfortunately, you have to

Samsung SM-G781V: come back to Towson to do it. You can't finish your final credits anywhere else. Samsung SM-G781V: So I was Samsung SM-G781V: getting ready to work at NIH, the National Institute of Health. and I could not leave Samsung SM-G781V: a brand new job to go back to Towson to take 3 more credits. So I called a professor,

Samsung SM-G781V: professor, Donald Frank at sociology. He was awesome. I called him up, and I explained what was happening. And he said Samsung SM-G781V: "write me a paper" Samsung SM-G781V: and I you know, write me a paper about your experiences as an American with a disability looking for a job Samsung SM-G781V: and send me the paper, and I'll give you your credit.

Samsung SM-G781V: one month. Samsung SM-G781V: How? How? How long do you want it to be 500 pages. Do you want it annotated? What? What do you want? This? No. 5, 5. And I'm thinking, 5. Okay, 500. No, no, no. Just 5 pages Samsung SM-G781V: on your experience trying to find a job as a disabled American. And I did. Samsung SM-G781V: And I turned in my paper and I got my 3 credits, and I never had to go back to Towson.

Samsung SM-G781V: save me a whole world of difficulty just by making a phone call. Samsung SM-G781V: There are definitely some amazing professors that have come through this university. Samsung SM-G781V: I think Donald Frank is gone. He's probably passed by now. But, He was awesome. I remember his office he had a big Samsung SM-G781V: poster of Anne Frank. and I wonder

Samsung SM-G781V: if there was some connection between his family Samsung SM-G781V: and and Frank. I bet you there was. I'm not sure Firebaugh, Bethany: I'll have to look him up. Firebaugh, Bethany: But

Firebaugh, Bethany: that concludes all the questions that I have. Samsung SM-G781V: Okay. Well, I'm I hope I was helpful. Hope I didn't run up the mouth too much. Firebaugh, Bethany: No, not at all. I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to meet with me Samsung SM-G781V: Well, I appreciate the opportunity, and I hope it's helpful. I'm curious as to the end result. I'd like to. I'd like to know how it

Samsung SM-G781V: ends up. Samsung SM-G781V: So keep me posted Firebaugh, Bethany: I'm actually the currently designing a web page that will be posted on the archives website that will give a full overview of Firebaugh, Bethany: the history of disability support services at Towson.

Firebaugh, Bethany: And hopefully, we should have that up around the beginning of September. So if you're interested in looking at that, and if you're interested in looking and looking at anything else that the project has explored, I would say, check archives website around the beginning of September. And I can also shoot you an email when it's live. Firebaugh, Bethany: Yeah, yeah, please do. I would be interested to see the end result. Yes, of course. Samsung SM-G781V: awesome Firebaugh, Bethany: it. It was amazing to talk to you and hear your story.

Samsung SM-G781V: Well, thank you for taking the time to talk to me. This was fun, thanks. Samsung SM-G781V: of course I very much enjoyed myself. Samsung SM-G781V: You you have a very good day. Firebaugh, Bethany: You do the same. Bye, bye.