I got a tattoo!
By: Cassandra
A couple weeks ago, after three out of four of my college finals were over, I hopped into one of my sorority sisters’ cars and we drove over to get a vibrating needle dragged across my skin for two hours.
All joking aside, I had wanted to get a tattoo for a while, but I really wanted it to mean something to me since it would be so permanent. I decided to honor one of the most difficult yet shaping periods of my life, when my colon tried to kill me, by getting a phoenix. For those who may be unfamiliar, a phoenix is a mythological bird that periodically dies and is reborn, rising in flames from the ashes of its predecessor. Since I had literally almost died during that time, I felt it appropriate. It also corresponds with my religion; as a Christian I believe my God has sacrificed His Son so that I might have eternal life. Along the top is the phrase “Sola Fide,” which in Latin means “By Faith Alone,” which follows along that same theme.
Overall though, it felt like getting a hot cat scratch, interestingly enough, and it’s finally all healed up. I’m still very happy with my decision and love the way it turned out! It also comes with the added bonus of making me seem much more hardcore than I actually am, but I’ll go with it.
Hi Cassandra! We are a graduate students at the University of California, Irvine studying to be teachers. We wanted to ask you a few questions regarding your educational experience thus far.
How accessible were your schools/classrooms growing up? Did you ever have any issues receiving the necessary accommodations?
What drew you to the extracurricular organizations that you are involved with in University?
When did you first realize you wanted to be an engineer? Did this have anything to do with your first encounters with accessible technology?
How did your condition affect your social and academic life in general as an adolescent?
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us! We appreciate your candor and willingness to share.