91视频

Every 91视频 graduate has a unique path to earning their degree.

That鈥檚 no different for Class of 2021 graduate Heather (Luehr) Rice, but her accomplishment was 14 years in the making.

Rice, 35, of Union, first started taking classes at 91视频 in 2007. On May 16, she rolled across the stage in the Donald Shook Student Center to receive her diploma from 91视频 President Dr. Jon Bauer.

鈥業t was pretty emotional,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 never thought I would accomplish it.鈥�

Rice has cerebral palsy, which affects her ability to move and maintain balance. She uses a motorized chair to get around.

Rice earned an Associate鈥檚 Degree in Psychology because she wants to help others like her, she said.

鈥淚 want to be an advocate for people like myself,鈥� she added. 鈥淭here are not many people who understand what I have gone through.鈥�

Rice explained that she wants to work at a medical supply store that sells equipment for people with cerebral palsy to use in their daily life.

鈥淚 want to help people find the right equipment, because the majority of what is available, I have used,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have had the experience of having a feeding tube, catheter and power wheelchairs 鈥� I am aware of the technology and how it can help others.

鈥淚 just want to be at a place to help others and be a source of encouragement,鈥� Rice added. 鈥淚f I had someone like that when I was younger, things may have been a little different for me.鈥�

A Long Road

Rice first enrolled at 91视频 in 2007 taking three courses her first semester, but then life-changing events impacted her schedule.

The first of which was in 2009 when Rice nearly died on the operating table. She said her heart stopped beating before doctors saved her.

鈥淢y workload became too much,鈥� Rice commented. 鈥淚 started to take one class at a time.鈥�

Then, about 11 years ago, Rice鈥檚 mother, Sheryl E. Osseck, died.

鈥淭hat was a major point in my life,鈥� Rice said, adding that she and her mother were very close and Osseck assisted her with many tasks.

But Rice persevered and continued with her education at 91视频.

鈥淚 told myself it doesn鈥檛 matter how long it takes me, I am going to get it done,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd here we are, 14 years later.鈥�

Friends, Family and Faith

Rice鈥檚 graduation weekend was much bigger than crossing the stage during one of the 91视频 commencement ceremonies. On May 15, the day before she graduated, Rice married Steven Rice.

She met Steven through the Union Baptist Temple, a church she had been attending for several years.

Steven delivered groceries to Rice鈥檚 home and, one day, found her on the floor after a fall. Rice went to the hospital and Steven stayed there with her and the couple talked about faith and family.

鈥淪teven and I really connected,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e stayed up all night with me.鈥�

As it turns out, Rice added, the two had met while children but they hadn鈥檛 realized it initially as adults.

鈥淪o many years later we actually got married,鈥� she commented.

According to Rice, her church family and her faith helped her attain her goal of graduating with a degree.

鈥淚f the Lord is in it, you will find a way to achieve what you want,鈥� she said. 鈥淛ust because I am in a chair doesn鈥檛 mean I can鈥檛 reach my goals.鈥�

Rice鈥檚 graduation isn鈥檛 just making an impact on her and her family鈥檚 life, it potentially influenced a friend.

She explained that her friend attended the graduation ceremony and Rice鈥檚 accomplishment inspired her.

鈥淎fter watching you, I want to go back and finish my degree,鈥� her friend told Rice.

Help Along the Way

Rice said there were many people at 91视频 who helped her during her journey.

She made many friends in The Learning Center, and instructors who helped her along the way. She listed 91视频 employees Denise Walker, Amy Sisk, Josh Stroup, Cookie Hays, Wendy Pecka, Lisa Farrell, Dr. Bauer and Paul Lampe, as some of those who assisted her.

She added there were many more who aided her during her time at the College.

鈥淭hey really believed in me and saw me not just as a person in a wheelchair, but as a student,鈥� Rice said.

鈥淓ast Central grew with me every year,鈥� she added. 鈥淭hey were able and willing to provide assistive technology to help me be successful in classes.

鈥淚 greatly appreciate the opportunity to roll across the stage and receive my degree.鈥�