Student Profiles

Brad Freeman

Hometown:
Kansas City, Missouri

Major:
Theater

Year in school:
Senior

Disability:
Cerebral Palsy

What are your future endeavors?

Actor/Writer/Artist/Musician in L.A., or N.Y.

What are your hobbies?

Reading, Writing, Sports, Traveling, Theater, Film, Acting, Playing Guitar, and Playing Drums

What has been your greatest challenge while at MU?

Getting reliable and dependable personal care attendants.

What would you like people to know about your disability?

Just because I have a disbility, it doesn't mean I'm not a person who can't have a normal life.

What would you tell a student who has a disability like yours?

Always make sure to be up front with your professors about your disability. It will make them more understanding when you need an extension, or have a question/concern. Sometimes you might have to find a professor for a certain subject that works well with you and take all their classes because unfortunately some professors aren't as understanding as the people who work with you every day.

What advice would you give to a new student at MU?

Always have a backup plan. Always have more than one or two attendants. In my experience, some attendants are much better than others. Plan ahead of time so that if you need something from a professor they'll be more understanding if you don't wait till the last minute. Also become very sociable with friends if you live in the dorms. When there is not a PCA around you'll be glad you were because they'll be happy to help you out if you get into trouble.

In what way did the Office of Disability Services make a difference in your education? 

They've made me more aware of the resources that are given to me in order to succeed in college.