A thread: One person’s impact can make or break another’s path esp #Deaf #Disabled #BIPOC #LGBTQ. #accessibility

I was hoping to become excellent in plant physiology but the prof mocked my interpreters, put down me in front of the entire class, questioned my ability to do PhD simply bc he was very unclear and I needed further clarification on concepts, made me cry in front of others in

office hours, and told me not to waste the TAs’ office hours and not to seek out other resources eg other text books because I was very confused. I had no signs for plant physiology terms and had to develop them and captioning had trouble hearing/understanding the prof.

The prof was not very patient and was very condescending towards other grad students. I was forced to take plant physiology online and to search for one that would meet the caliber. That was a gut wrenching moment and I had the forms to withdraw from my program in front of me.

I reported to the diversity office and my advisor and paid nearly $2k to take the class. My advisor was very supportive but I had to educate. I still struggle with the aftermath of what happened and it really affected my PhD experience.

But I am determined to finish and continue to teach myself plant physiology and root biology, both of which I have grown to enjoy. I now have developed over 100 ASL signs for the concepts. And I am extremely grateful to see more and more new profs taking actions to

be the best professors they can be to diverse groups of students. They need your support and you will either lift them or deter them from their dreams.

I will be one of them, and one of the first plant science PhD graduates who are deaf when the time comes. And I am committed to helping others learn and overcome challenges to get to their dreams.

But it was an extremely painful experience. But that is unfortunately common among us minorities. So we need you all to take the time to listen, learn, and educate others from us #Disabled #Deaf #BIPOC #LGBTQ #WomenInSTEM