Disability no barrier to graduation

Despite having a rare condition that is eroding their mobility, a brother and sister managed to walk in Victoria University’s Tuesday graduation parade, as well as across the stage at the ceremony.

Jo and Therese Boon

Joseph and Therese Boon, who both graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees, have Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare genetically inherited condition that causes nervous system damage, and difficulty with motor skills. The condition has affected three of the five children in their family.

Both Joseph and Therese developed symptoms in their teens and these have worsened over time.

“It’s a slow progression—in the first year I was living at Weir House and walking to Uni every day and to the supermarket—but my stamina has decreased and now I can only walk with a cane on flat, dry surfaces,” says Joseph.

“The progressive nature of my condition made me question whether studying would be a good path for me in the best years of my life,” says Therese, “but ultimately it made me think I should knuckle down and achieve faster.”

Therese majored in English Literature and Film and Joseph majored in Political Science and Film. Because Joseph, who is the older of the two, took a year off his studies, returning to their home town of Palmerston North to make a documentary for a family friend, his sister was able to catch up with him.

“I’m quite excited about graduation, and it’s so cool that my brother is there as well,” says Therese.

The siblings walked in the parade together and held on to friends. “With the robe one wants it to billow and I didn’t want to be robbed of that,” says Joseph.

The students say the support from Disability Services at Victoria helped them get through their studies. They made use of volunteer note takers in tutorials and lectures, van drivers who picked them up and dropped them off each day, walkers who assisted them to walk from one class to the next, and on occasion an FM system to help with hearing lectures.

Therese is currently working as an office administrator at an orthopaedic clinic in Palmerston North and has aspirations as a writer. Joseph is seeking a job in politics in Wellington. “I wouldn’t mind running for office at some stage,” he says, “if only to set up the infrastructure for other people with disabilities to run too—Wellington is not such a wheelchair-friendly city.”

The population of students with disabilities at Victoria University has steadily increased over the years, and has grown to a community of more than 1000.

Manager, Disabilities Services, Rachel Anderson-Smith says the University provides support to students with disabilities that enables them to thrive and achieve their academic aspirations.

“Whether they're walking or wheeling across stage, speaking or signing in New Zealand Sign Language; we are very proud of all our graduates.”