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PROFILE
assignments,” Patterson said. “In order for me to use the services at the disabilities center, I have to make an appointment two weeks in advance, which doesn’t help in these situations. That’s why planning is so vital to me so I won’t have to ask for an extension on assignments because some professors don’t like it.” While many students are busy participating in campus activities, Patterson is not able to be actively involved because of the short notification times of most student events. Ward Griffin, a second year student, is a friend of Patterson. “Monique is a sweetheart and I have her in many of my classes,” Ward said. “I sometimes forget she is disabled because she is so fun to be around.” After graduation, Patterson hopes to work for the Special Olympics one day. Her lifetime goal is to own an international non-profit charity for people with disabilities. She would like to travel worldwide and use her communication degree to educate others. But first, she wants to start in the U.S. by organizing a foundation to raise funds in support of providing transportation to people with disabilities to participate in voting. “I can’t vote because there is no transportation in place for people like me,” Patterson said. “Politics are important to me, and I have a right to vote, too.” PHOTOGRAPHY BY Cyurra Davis