Martinez is one of more than 8,000 students who began their fall semester at GSC on Monday. But, even before the semester got underway, she has made her presence known on the Gainesville Campus.
Throughout the months of July and August, Martinez has been "studying" the campus so she will be able to successfully maneuver to and from classes as well as offices and study locations. With the assistance of her mobility coach, Farrell Matthews, who is a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist, and her seeing-eye-dog, Kay, Martinez has spent hours and hours in the heat-of-the-day walking the course in order to become comfortable with her surroundings.
Born partially blind, Martinez became completely blind at the age of 7, but she hasn't let this slow her down. She attended the Texas School for the Blind from age 7 to 14 and then moved to Alto, where she completed the last year of middle school and all four years of high school at Habersham Central, where she was an honor graduate.
Martinez currently volunteers several hours each week at a children's shelter in Habersham County, where she "reads to the children, helps them with homework and art projects and spends time with them as an adult who they can confide in and trust." Of her time working at the shelter, Martinez says, "you observe so much that touches your heart and you want to help the children."
A trained massage therapist, Martinez has decided that she wants to complete her college education and fulfill her dream of becoming an "early childhood education teacher and eventually working in vision education and child psychology."
"As I began researching colleges," says Martinez, "I would call schools and see how they responded to me as an individual who was visually impaired and how they would help me meet my needs. If they weren't helpful or encouraging, I would say 'thank you' and hang up. I knew the first time I talked to the members of the GSC Disability Services staff that they would help me meet my needs.
"Thanks to the Disability Services staff and my mobility coach, Mr. Matthews, all of my needs are being met as I prepare to start college," Martinez said. "Mr. Matthews works with me as I learn my way around campus and then I teach Kay what I have learned by walking the paths, observing the sounds and studying the tactile maps of the campus and buildings he (Matthews) made for me. Kay has been with me for 14 months and she has given me a greater sense of independence."
Kay is a specially trained Black Labrador Retriever and she is always at Martinez's side. Martinez and Kay are quite a duo and they certainly do draw attention when they move around campus. As tempting as it is, individuals must remember that Kay is on duty. It is her job to help Martinez find her way around campus and she can't stop to be petted or play.
As a Certified Mobility Instructor, Matthews said, "I help individuals gain a sense of self confidence and independence by working with them to maneuver and understand their surroundings, whether it is school, work or a social environment."
He went on to say that, "Adonia has worked very hard this summer. She and Kay have made amazing progress and should be ready when school starts."
"When you are blind," Martinez said, "you are a problem solver and you have to figure out what to do with yourself and you need back-up plans. If one thing goes wrong, you have to move to plan B." The GSC Office of Disability Services has worked closely with Martinez throughout the summer to layout the plans that will help her be a successful student.
Things are not always serious with Martinez. She laughs as she explains, "I love to read. I sometimes stay up all night if a book is good. I read mysteries and romance novels that I check out from the Athens Special Needs Library either on tape, CD or in Braille books. Oh, and I love the beach where I can take walks and listen to the sounds of the ocean!"
Starting Gainesville State College begins a new journey for Martinez. One that she has had to work hard and train for even to take the first step. She said, "I am a little frightened and intimidated, but I feel good about the upcoming school year and feel confident that I will be ready when the time comes to maneuver campus, just Kay and me."
Gainesville State College freshman Adonia Martinez and her seeing-eye-dog, Kay, practice maneuvering the campus in preparation for fall semester.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/8/212469