“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The same year that Jelani Murshid-Jackson, 25, graduated from Webster Groves High School in 2005, he also watched his sister earn a college degree.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Jelani, who was born with cerebral palsy and autism, knew then that he would follow in her footsteps. But it didn’t come easy. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Though he was on the dean’s list in high school, his freshman year at University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg caught him off guard, Jelani said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Freshman year was kind of hard because I was just getting used to the college experience,” he said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>He ended his first semester with a 1.9 GPA. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>However, he soon found tutors and other resources to bring his grades up.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“That’s one of the benefits that students with disabilities are not aware of,” said Subira Murshid, Jelani’s grandmother. “They can get tutors and readers to help them. Jelani has impaired vision, and a lot of books are on CD. Most students are not aware of that, and it keeps them from coming to college.” “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Before he was 10, Jelani had three life-threatening brain surgeries because of brain swelling, or hydrocephalus. The operations left him with impaired vision. Through the state’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, Jelani found helpful resources and his education was well supported, Subira said. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Just as Jelani was establishing his stride at University of Central Missouri, his academic career came to a halt. After being at the university for two and a half years, Jelani struggled to find personal care assistants. Jelani had to return home to St. Louis right in the middle of the school year. He lost an entire semester.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I was depressed,” Jelani said. “I wanted to stay at University of Central Missouri.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Jelani slipped into a slump, Subira said, and she began to worry. Subira raised Jelani, along with his older sister Shaunnickia, 28, after their mother died when Jelani was two years old. Because of his autism, Jelani didn’t speak until he was four. Despite his many challenges throughout his life, Subira said she had never seen him so depressed.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>When she learned that University of Missouri at St. Louis was going to have an open house for incoming students, she encouraged Jelani to attend. Jelani agreed to go, but he wasn’t excited, Subira said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Once I got back on the college campus, I felt a lot better,” Jelani said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>After enrolling at UMSL, Jelani became actively involved on campus. He became part of the Executive Leadership Consortium, an advisory council. The consortium’s director, Dr. Malaika Horne, became one of Jelani’s mentors.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Jelani also began advocating for issues on his own. In the spring, Jelani met with university administrators to make sure that shuttle drivers were trained properly in transporting people in wheelchairs. He was successful in his efforts. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>On Dec. 17, 2011, Jelani graduated from UMSL with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with three minors: social work, sociology and communications. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>When he arrived at the graduation ceremony, the president, chancellor and other administrators of University of Missouri were waiting for him at the door.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“They were all lined up to greet him to shake hands with him before the graduation,” Subira said. “We were all surprised.” “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>These university figureheads joined many friends, family members, professors, high school teachers, tutors and others who came to see him receive his degree. Afterwards, more than 100 people attended his graduation party at the Lamplighter Banquet Hall, 3800 Pershall Road, where the UMSL Steppers also performed. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Jelani said he wouldn’t have reached his goal without the support from his grandmother and sister. One of the lessons he learned from Subira is, “Never give on your dream. You can do anything anybody else can do,” he said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Jelani’s next goal is to become an independent living specialist. He would like to make a career out of assisting and guiding disabled students in living an independent and productive lifestyle. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I hope other people with disabilities can go to school and have a career,” he said. “Just like I got my degree, they can get their degree also. And they can live independently.”
