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Derek Glissmann and his mother Julia Glissmann. NEWS RELEASE 12-17-08 Contact: Student with cerebral palsy to receive MA in English EDITOR’S NOTE: A hi-res photo of Derek and Julie Glissmann is available at http://www.las.iastate.edu/glissmann.jpg AMES, Iowa –Since 2001, Julia Glissmann has faithfully traveled to Iowa State University from Lidderdale, Iowa, and has walked many miles across campus. Julia is not a student or campus employee, but is the “hands and legs” for her son, Derek, who has cerebral palsy and has used a wheelchair since childhood. On Friday (Dec. 19), Derek and Julia will celebrate an accomplishment that is years in the making – Derek will graduate with a master of arts degree in the English department’s Creative Writing program. Ever since Derek was in elementary school, he said he’s had to prove that a wheelchair does not always involve a mental disability and that he has just as much worth to receive the same educational opportunities as his peers. “I had to take an IQ test to attend first grade,” he said. “Not very many students have to do that.” Throughout his primary education, Julia said every year was a fight to keep Derek in regular classes. “Every year of grade school I was told he should be in special education,” Julia said. “And every year I said ‘no.’” It was during these elementary years that Derek discovered a love of writing, and he wrote stories as a child. Unfortunately, he said he sometimes felt discouraged by others to pursue a writing career, so he chose an undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies. It was as he was nearing the completion of his bachelor’s degree that he decided to become a writer. At about 140 miles per day from Carroll County, the drive is an exceptional case in point of both Derek’s and Julia’s quest for Derek to receive an equal opportunity education. Derek said he has been able to schedule most of his ISU classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or night classes that meet once a week. In nearly eight years on campus, the duo say they have only missed one full day, and had to leave early another day, due to bad weather. Once Derek goes to class, Julia will wait outside the classroom until he’s finished, or will run errands. But transportation to and around campus is only part of her role. “She’s my hands and my legs,” Derek said. Julia is Derek’s “scribe” as she types the words for Derek’s writing assignments. His voice recognition software is unable to identify his words due to the cerebral palsy. Derek’s writing interests involve fiction, disability issues and articles recognizing disabilities as a minority group. One of his stories, “The Girl with Paper Bag Hats,” was published in a Café Diem writing contest in Ames. He also began working on his thesis before he even began graduate school. His thesis, titled “The Hopeless Treatment,” involves treatment centers in the 1930s and how disabled individuals were mistreated in that era. His research included books by Hugh G. Gallagher, an advocate for the disabled. Gallagher wrote “FDR’s Splendid Deception,” a biography of the former president’s battle with polio. Upon graduation, Derek wants to continue writing fiction stories or articles regarding disability issues. He said he would like to work in a university environment, since his experience at Iowa State was an accepting atmosphere and conducive to learning. Derek said ISU Disability Resources worked with him to get everything he needed. Derek and Julia both hope they can continue this experience together, and either work in the same field or at least in the same region. The first in his family to receive a master’s degree, Derek plans to send his thesis to a list of novella publishers and hopes to publish some of his other writings. “I’ve had people recommend that I write my memoirs,” Derek said. “I think I’m more interested in fiction, but I guess I do have a unique story.” -30- |
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