Transcript:
"Jennifer's Story" By Jennifer Nichols
Narrator: "Technology has made a major impact on Jennifer Nichols' life. When she was two and a half years old, Jennifer began using a motorized wheelchair and continues to do so today.
Jennifer struggles with handwriting, so a typewriter and computer were introduced to her at age four.
Caption: My first experience with a motorized chair
The computer helped Jennifer keep up and maintain good academic standing throughout her school years. All of this technology played an essential role in making Jennifer an independent, productive member of society.
Jennifer does not view a computer and her motorized wheelchair as 'special', but as a normal, integral part of her life. Here is her story as told by Jennifer."
Caption: Jennifer's Story: Life begins when you're ready to face it.
Jennifer: "I was born three months prematurely and have a disability called Cerebral Palsy, but I have never let that stop me from living my life."
Caption: Voice of Evelyn Nichols, Jennifer's mom.
Evelyn: "Jennifer always thought of herself as just a regular kid, wanting to do regular things with her peers. Throughout her childhood and school years, she was able to be in the classroom with her peers. She did the activities they did; she explored when they explored and she did typical childhood things. She just thought she was a regular kid and so did we.
BEGIN NEWS CLIP
Narrator from TV News Clip: "From the outset, it is obvious that Jennifer Nichols' days at school are different. She has Cerebral Palsy. It affects her ability to walk, to hold her hand steady. It does not affect her ability to shine in the fourth grade."
Teacher: "Okay, and what time is it going to be?"
Jennifer: "8:35"
Teacher: "Right, 8:35"
Narrator from TV News Clip: "Jennifer grew up in special schools. Now she says she is where she belongs, in a normal school with normal friends."
Jennifer: "They don't treat me any different."
Narrator from TV News Clip: "Do you want them to treat you different?"
Jennifer: "No"
Narrator from TV News Clip: "why?"
Jennifer: "because I am just like all the other kids."
END NEWS CLIP
Caption: voice of Ronnie Nichols, Jennifer's dad
Ronnie: "Dream League summer of 1992, we were the terrors of the field. We were showing no mercy to anyone. We were crazy, wild, fast on the bases. We were getting in there."
Jennifer: "When I was about thirteen years old, I had the opportunity to meet professional wrestler Ron Simmons."
BEGIN NEWS CLIP
Jennifer: "Do you get paid a lot to be the champion?"
Ron Simmons: "Well, Jennifer thank you..." (laughter).
END NEWS CLIP
Caption: Jennifer with her grandmother
Caption: Hanging out with friends
Caption: High school choir
Jennifer: "In 1998, I had a wonderful opportunity to travel thousands of miles away on a mission trip to the Philippines. During this trip, my group and I helped out the less fortunate Filipino people by doing tasks such as handing out rice to them.
The Filipino children seemed to be quite enamored with Americans, particularly me because I happened to be in a wheelchair. One of my tasks on this trip was to talk to the Filipino people about what I felt was so important to me in my life.
I seemed to be a role model to the Filipino girls because they always liked to crowd around and talk to me. I could not have made it on this journey to the Philippines if it were not for the men and women who helped me out."
I would like to thank Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation, because without them I would not have been to achieve my dreams of attending and graduating college at Middle Tennessee State University.
Caption: My high school graduation
Caption: My independence award from MTSU
Jennifer: "During college, I used Voice Recognition Software to help me save time in typing papers."
Jennifer (dictating to computer): "comma, have been working on a project."
Caption: My Dad and I
Caption: After my Honor Society Induction
Caption: College Graduation
Kelly Clarkson singing "Breakaway":
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Caption: Graduating with my Master's degree
Hi, this is Jennifer. In the summer of 2007, I got to fulfill a lifelong dream of mine, which was to attend Florida State University and major in social work. After a year-long program of papers, tests, and more papers, I finally got to achieve that dream on August 9, 2008 and get my master's degree. I would like to become a licensed clinical social worker so that I can officially do counseling with kids with disabilities and their families.
My goal in pursuing social work was to work with kids with disabilities so I could show kids with disabilities that even though they do have a disability which society considers limiting, they can still pursue a life of happiness and fulfillment and be productive members of society, just like anybody else. The fact that they have a disability doesn't mean they still can't achieve in life, and that's why I wanted to major in social work and work with kids with disabilities is to be a role model for them, and help them the way I've been helped in my life.
And without help that I've received from Vocational Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology and other sources in my life, I would not be where I am today.
Oh yeah, there's something I've always wanted to do. You may wonder what that is. SKYDIVING. Yes, I said SKYDIVING. I know, it's crazy, but I'm an adrenaline junkie - what can I say? So I an jumping out of an airplane.
U2 singing "Elevation":
"High, higher than the sun
You shoot me from a gun
I need you to elevate me here
At the corner of your lips
As the orbit of your hips
Eclipse
You elevate my soul
I've got no self control
Been living like a mole now
Going down, excavation
High and High in the sky
You make me feel like I can fly
So high
Elevation
A star
Lit up like a cigar
Strung out like a guitar
Maybe you can educate my mind
Explain all these controls
Can't sing but I've got soul
The goal is elevation"
Jennifer: I would like to dedicate this story to my mom, Evelyn Nichols, who passed away from cancer in the summer of 2007, before I started graduate school - without her constant encouragement and support, I would not be where I am today; and also to my father, who has always been there for me as well and a great support to me.
Credits:
Introduction by: Jeff Brazer
Produced by:
Jennifer Nichols
Brian Terpstra
Steve Powell
Ezra Reynolds