“Hi, my name is Rebecca, and I am wearing a tiara so I think I might be a fairy princess. You might be a fairy princess too. That’s fine, you be you, and that’s really the theme here. Finding the space and means to be you…that’s part of why this award is so meaningful to me.”
Congratulations to 4th year BA ALDS Honours student Rebecca Andre on receiving the prestigious Dr. John Davis Burton Award for 2019. Presented annually, this award recognizes a student who has made a significant contribution toward awareness, equality and integration of persons with disabilities within the educational community.
“It all started four years ago. (At this time) I was bed-ridden, I couldn’t walk five steps without needing to stop to catch my breath, let alone shower or make dinner. You see, I have five auto immune disorders, and at the time I had thought my life was resigned to being a patient. (But then) I began treatment for one of these illnesses (and) that changed my life. Once my body started healing it was like I woke up, and I woke up hungry! I became voracious for life in such a real way. I wanted to come along and devour everything and I started filling my plate up with everything I could.”
So she did. Over the past two years, Rebecca has engaged thoroughly with life on the Carleton campus. She has served as an Ambassador for the CUAEL (now ACT to Employ) Program. She has met with the Honourable Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors & Accessibility. She has volunteered with Enable Ottawa 2019, participated in Alternative Spring Break, and worked as a 1st Year Connections mentor and Campus to Community team leader.
“In the past year I have had the most amazing experiences. I have worked with the David C. Onley Initiative as an events assistant and volunteer coordinator and we have been working to shatter the stigma around hiring students with disabilities and challenging employers to create more inclusive hiring practices. I am so proud of the work we do…”
In her acceptance speech, Rebecca also sends out her thanks to all her ALDS friends and to staff at both the Student Experience Office and Paul Menton Centre.
“I feel on fire right now. I feel like I’m ready to take over the world,”