1. The document discusses Marissa Holiber's participation in a fundraising walk for Multiple Sclerosis and Epilepsy called "Making Strides". 2. Marissa found the group on Facebook and drove eight hours total to participate despite not living in Orlando. 3. By participating, Marissa sought to help the community, form friendships, and raise money for important causes. The walk helped change her preconceptions about people with disabilities.

1. EVERY LITTLE STEP COUNTS Marissa Holiber Mrh7@knights.ucf.edu April 23, 2010 EEX4070

2. Early Perceptions Anxious Nervous Happy

3. Introduction to the setting New Smyrna, Florida April 10, 2010 Orlando, Florida March 20, 2010 Picture from: http://www.openstream.ch/blog/wpcontent/uploads/2010/02/facebook_logo_withpage.gif

4. Picture chart from: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/img/multiple-sclerosis.gif

5. Picture from: http://index005.intellis.net/nfld/epilepsy/images/livingwithepilepsy3.jpg

6. My name is Marissa Holiber. I just transferred to the University of Central Florida and I couldn’t be happier. I have always had a passion for helping and working with children. I cannot wait to have my own classroom and start making differences in other children’s lives. After teaching I would also like to become a guidance counselor at a high school. A LITTLE ABOUT ME

7. Engagement Activities Our group “Making Strides” was put together by Emilee and Sarah. I found the group under one of the discussions listed. A facebook group was then created. It provided all the information for the walks, pictures, and discussions where we could communicate to one another. Even though I wasn’t in the Orlando area, I didn’t mind doing a combine total (roundtrip) of eight hours of driving. I thought this would be a good project to participate in. The purpose of Making Strides was to walk for two disabilities that are at large in the United States: Multiple Sclerosis and Epilepsy. It was an opportunity to help the community, form friendships, and raise money for great causes.

8. Too often, the voices of people with disabilities are simply not heard For a long time I’d never actually had personal experiences with a person living with disabilities. So when my group and I decided to participate in the MS walk I was considerably nervous. At first I didn’t know exactly how I would react; I didn’t want to seem like I was starring, but at the same time I didn’t want to give the impression that I was purposefully avoiding eye contact. Once I arrived I realized that all my previous worries had been nothing but ignorance. The people who suffered from MS and epileptic seizures were completely normal and seemingly happy. They weren’t physically dissimilar to myself in any way; they walked with friends and family members, the entire time displaying their immense courage and strength through every smile and laugh they uttered. I’ve come to the conclusion that the word “disabled” has a negative connotation, these people were, in my opinion, very capable and even though life has set some difficult obstacles along the way for them, they don’t seem to let it interfere in their pursuits for happiness. I’m very happy that I had the opportunity to take a course like this. It has truly opened my eyes to the world around me and as a result, has pushed me to take active steps in an attempt to better it.