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Melissa Baker, a CSU student since 2001, will receive her bachelor's degree in Social Work and a minor in Women's Studies when she graduates on May 13.

Student overcomes odds

By Melissa Miller

The Parma resident, who uses a wheelchair, will receive her diploma at the graduation ceremony. When she was 18 months old, Baker was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

In 1973 the Rehabilitation Act's section 504 entitled all children with disabilities the right to an education. Baker's parents moved from Cleveland to Parma in 1973, so their daughter could be mainstreamed into public schools.

That year Baker and three other students became the first group of students with disabilities to attend Parma Public Schools. Children from the surrounding area were bused to Parma City Schools because at that time there was no other school with many programs for disabled students.

In 1973 there were not even curb cuts in sidewalks for Baker's mom to smoothly move her daughter's wheelchair around.

Baker took regular classes and had a special education teacher for help. In 1986, Baker graduated from Valley Forge High School, and then earned an associate degree in Arts from Cuyahoga Community College's Parma campus in 1996.

Baker became a Viking in 2001 and never got a tour of the campus and the services available then.

She didn't know that there was an inner link between the Music and Communication building and the University Center until she arrived to class late one day and explained to her teacher that she was having problems with the elevators. Baker's teacher explained that she could use the inner link, and save almost 15 minutes getting to class.

Baker had to travel to CSU using the Community Response Transit (COT), which is specially designed for disabled and elderly people. She would have to call a week in advance to make a reservation from house.

"One of the biggest obstacles was after you get on the bus, because the bus could have to pick up six other people and that could take a long time," Baker said.

One of the hardest challenges she faced at CSU was taking night classes.

She would have to get up at 6 a.m. to catch the RTA to go for her internship and then to school at night.

Baker said that transportation took out a huge chunk of time and energy from her day.

The challenges were many. She couldn't get into a math classroom in Rhodes Tower because its door was small for the wheelchair. She did however get the class moved to a classroom that she could access better.

"I don't like to draw attention to myself, and I don't like using my disability to get something accomplished," Baker said. She used to feel guilty about certain issues, but now she knows she is legally entitled to access to all facilities.

Baker had some difficulties with elevators from time to time.

People were not always so nice and one time after multiple efforts to enter an elevator she said, "Anyone without a heat problem, breathing problems, and anyone who has two healthy legs get off the elevator and let me on."

Baker has now made a commitment to helping others.

Baker said she would like to help people deal with their disabilities. Baker said she believes in "equal rights not special rights."

She said she would fight personal issues, but would mostly like to fight for the greater good of all individuals with disabilities.

While at CSU Baker interned at Linking Employment and Potentials (LEAP), which is an agency designed to help people with disabilities make informative choices on job skills and independent living.

She said the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 78 percent, and that it is one of the highest unemployed and untapped resources in our country.

This May, Baker will receive her Bachelor's degree in Social Work and a Minor in Women's Studies from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at Cleveland State University. Since Baker is graduating with Phi Alfa Honors Society she can apply to finish her masters in one year.

Baker plans on taking board exams on July 1, BSW license exam become a LSW license social work. One day Baker would like to receive her Ph.D. and teach at CSU. Baker said she would love to get her masters and receive her Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).

She plans to someday have her own practice that helps people with disabilities deal with special issues, women's issues and also help gay and lesbian youth.

Baker actually participated in the commencement ceremony last spring. She was supposed to earn her bachelor's over the summer, but had to prolong her last three courses until this semester.

She said, "The moment was worth it, and no one has the right to take that moment away, you have worked hard for it."

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