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Let me see my graduation diploma

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Hello,

My name is Marta Magdalena Hanyzkieiwcz, I lost my sight to a genetic eye condition but I did not loose my vision for the future or passion  for life. I have spent the last 5 years learning how to live independently in a society driven by sight and overcoming stigma by earning my Associates Degree in Business Administration. In the next 5 years, I hope to graduate with my major in psychology from Baruch College and start my career in serving others. All this said, I have hit a road block where I cannot continue school due to my financial position and I am not eligible for scholarships  or a  green card because of my status as an international student. I thank God for all the blessings in my life and pray that I can do his work throughout my life.With your financial support, my vision can succeed and my passion for life can shine. Please consider helping me reach my educational goals through contributing to this campaign.


Now incase your are interested in more details, please read below:



In Poland, there are very few resources for people like me who are visually impaired. After completing two years at a high school in Warsaw,  I was accepted into an international program in Norway. In 2011, I moved to Norway to study at the Red Cross Nordic United World College where I graduated in 2013 with a scholarship to study in the United States. In Fall 2013, I started at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA but had to end my studies due to loosing my sight completely. While they could hold my scholarship and space at the school for a short period of time, they were not able to hold it as long as needed. Following the total loss of my sight, I returned to Poland with little to no opportunities. Through research and friends in the U.S. I was able to learn about the Louisiana Center for The Blind. I was accepted in Spring of 2015 and started my new life as a legally blind woman. By the completion of my time there (2016)  I had built confidence in Braille, Home Management and Traveling independently, and I had learned that my blindness does not define my future. I also built a relationship with the National Federation of the Blind. Through the NFB I found great joy in advocating for others and teaching youth how to live independently.



Since 2016, I have continued to grow in my independence and have worked hard to pave a path for success. In August 2019, I graduated from Borough of Manhattan Community College. During my time at the college, I focused greatly on my studies and overcoming discrimination. I learned that not all educators are open to providing an inclusive environment or following accommodation plans and that I can’t let anyone stand in my way. I learned to fight for my right to an education and that fight paid off. I hope that my struggle will  prevent others from having to face the same challenges. I am currently taking a semester off due to my financial situation and to take part in a medical trial that could restore some of my sight. While I am off, I am working as a volunteer and advocate for those with disabilities and hope to continue in that line of work as I  advance in my degrees.



Up until now,  my parents have been able to support me through this endeavor with the support of a private donor funding a scholarship for my Associates Degree. With my Associates degree behind me, I am looking to get my bachelors degree so I can obtain a green card to work in the US. The US is a land of opportunities for me as it is for many others and I hope to be able to give back following my education.



Thank you so much for your support and please let me know what questions you have.



 
Cześć,
mam na imię Marta. Lubię jogę, kickboxing i sałatkę cesarską. Studiuję business i psychologię na New York University i Baruch College. I jestem niewidoma. Właśnie straciłam stypendium i nie mam funduszy, żeby skończyć ostatni rok studiów. Bez pomocy nigdy nie zobaczę swojego dyplomu ukończenia studiów.


Do USA przyjechałam z małego miasteczka w Polsce. Tam ukończyłam szkołę dla osób niewidomych i słabo widzących w Laskach a następnie dzięki stypendium międzynarodowe liceum Red Cross Nordic United World College w Norwegii. Kolejne stypendium pozwoliło mi na studia w Iowa, ale po roku musiałam zrezygnować, ze względu na postępującą utratę wzroku. Dopiero kiedy ukończyłam Center for the Blind w Luizjanie, gdzie osoby niewidome uczą się, jak sobie radzić i funkcjonować w społeczeństwie, poczułam, że jestem gotowa do nauki. I do życia. Potrafię zrobić sobie makijaż i ugotować obiad dla 40 osób. Ćwiczę kickboxing, prowadzę zajęcia z jogi i udzielam korepetycji z angielskiego. Dwa lata temu zaczęłam studiować business i psychologię na New York University i Baruch College z ukierunkowaniem na pracę z osobami niepełnosprawnymi.

Niestety, wciąż nie mogę się usamodzielnić tak, jak bym tego chciała. Jako studentka mam ograniczone możliwości, jeśli chodzi o pracę, a brak obywatelstwa czy nawet zielonej karty nie pozwala mi na korzystaniu z programów pomocowych przysługujących osobom niewidomym w Stanach Zjednoczonych. Jako studentce międzynarodowej nie przysługują mi żadne stypendia. Ostatnio straciłam stypendium, które otrzymywałam od osoby prywatnej, a bez funduszy nie będę mogła skończyć ostatniego roku szkoły. Koszt ukończenia ostatniego roku to $ 32 860. Wierzę, że uda mi się skończyć szkołę i zobaczyć dyplom jej ukończenia. A przynajmniej potrzymać go w ręku.

Dziękuję za Wasze wsparcie.

Marta

Organizer

Marta Hanyżkiewicz
Organizer
New York, NY

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