- "We may have the same dwarfism… but we are still individuals." 21-year-old economics major Brandi Van Anne said, while sipping on one of the Rio's famous mini margaritas. (Photo by/ Lisa Streeb)
Brandi Van Anne, a senior economics major, who has worked the front desk at Resources for Disabled Students for four years, said university officials say it is beneficial for RDS to be in the General Services building because the building provides plenty of space and quiet for the services disabled students need.
"The Resources for Disabled Students office is underappreciated," said Van Anne, who lists the tasks of the office as providing advocacy and alternative testing; scribes; readers for people with dyslexia or paraplegia; and converting print text into computer or Braille format.
In her work at RDS, every encounter is an opportunity to educate and dispel stereotypes, adds Van Anne, who was born with Dwarfism. But she doesn't want every day to be about life with a disability.
"Sometimes you just want to socialize normally. You don't want to talk about having a disability and what life is like," Van Anne said. "You just want to have a normal day."
Van Anne is four feet tall. People make assumptions based on her appearance, she said, including that she "is just short," and therefore doesn't need special accommodations like a handicap parking placard.
But Van Anne faces unseen challenges. Joint and spinal problems are part of Dwarfism. Her brain stem is fused to her spine and her lower spine deteriorating, causing major migraine headaches and back problems.
"From Yates to the Oval, no one likes that trip, but for me I'm going to be in so much pain," Van Anne said.
While able-bodied people are treated as individuals, those with disabilities are often seen or spoken of as part of a group she says. Labels ignore an individual's uniqueness.
Van Anne recounts how much it hurts to be labeled, recalling the experience of being referred to as a "midget."
"Every time someone uses that word, it's always with hate or a strong misunderstanding of me as a person, and like this other species," she said.
"I'd rather be called Brandi. If you need to refer to what I have, you can use the medical term, Dwarfism."
If Van Anne were to be known for anything, she'd like to be identified by her accomplishments. She values learning and works hard at academics.
A Para Olympic swimmer in 2000 when she was 13, Van Anne represented the U.S. as a Para Olympian in Athens at 17. She then decided to drop Olympic swimming and concentrate on college. Van Anne now uses her swimming talent as a volunteer in the Special Needs Swim Program.
People often confuse Van Anne with Para Olympic gold-medal swimmer, Erin Popovich, and ask her to tell them what Beijing was like. She says misidentification is common with people who have physical disabilities.
"We have the same disability, but we're still individuals."
Having grown up in Fort Collins, Van Anne enjoys beer and cycling. She enjoys biking around town and has her favorite downtown bars.
Getting served at a bar can be difficult since bars are so tall and people often crowd in front of her as if she is not there.
The ability to ask for help has come with maturity, Van Anne said.
This story is an excerpt from a College Avenue article. Visit College Avenue to read more about how city funding cuts have affected accessibility for the disabled.