When Christopher Anselmo, a graduate from Northeastern University, was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy called Miyoshi Myopathy, it pushed him into depression. It was his parents’ efforts that recovered him from it. Enrolled in a business school and a blog to share his stories, Anselmo soon regained the confidence that he had lost. However, this also showed him that there was a meaning to what he was going through and he decided to help students out there who was going through disabilities like him.
With a renewed knowledge about the wonders positive support can do to the underprivileged, he decided to extend a helping hand to other differently abled individuals. Through his efforts, he raised money to give two students with disabilities who were registered at the Disability Resource Center at Northeastern University $1000 each for their expenses towards tuition, housing, etc. with an objective to make them self-dependent. Application for the award requires the student to submit an essay on how they have been able to overcome challenges in the past and how they will utilise the money they receive.
Katherine Isbell, who has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and Hannah Liistro, who has a cognitive disability, were the selected students for the award in 2018. Both of them, absolutely excited about the award that they won, are thankful to the reduced expenses and the support they receive from the Disability Resource Center that helps them become better students. Anselmo’s strength of character comes not just in the manner in which he fought the negativity surrounding his condition but the will to raise funds for those like him.
N Malavika Mohan