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Andrea Dalzell |
Transverse Myelitis left her paralyzed at the age of 12, but she did not allow her disability to become or define her.
Andrea completed an undergraduate
degree at the College of Staten Island majoring in Neuroscience and
Biology; and Nursing. As an advocate and activist for the rights of people with
disabilities, she's garnered various awards. She was awarded CUNY’s Emerging Leader of The Year Award and also received the Cindy Loo Disability Rights
Advocate Award in 2015. Aside from being a student, and juggling her career,
she finds the time to travel and spread awareness for issues that affect people
with disabilities such as housing, transportation, healthcare, and
accessibility- amongst many more.
Andrea was crowned Ms. Wheelchair NewYork 2015, and utilized her title and platform " Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Access" to promote her message and belief that people with
disabilities can live a fulfilling life. She has been featured in O Magazine,
Arise TV, and other publications/media outlets. Her latest work was Apple,
where she inspired the innovative addition to the Apple Watch to track pushes
instead of steps for everyone who uses a wheelchair- as a part of tech
inclusion. She is truly a rising star; so keep a eye out for her growing
success.
mW: What type of work have you done
in the past?
AD:
I have worked so many jobs since the age of 15. I started with a retail
store where my friend’s father believed, if I got at least one major retailer to
hire me, I wouldn't have any problems finding work, as I got older. From
there, I went onto intern at a state senator, J.L Sampson's office and
then went into an interior design firm. That office gave me the skills that I
needed to take on retail again but in the technology world. I learned
everything that I needed to know about computers and new technology
which convinced me that becoming a doctor, from the seated position, was
possible with the right technology.
mW:
What or who inspired you to become a nurse?
AD:
I was adamant on going to medical school. I knew that I wanted to have MD
at the end of my name and I was preparing to take my medical school entrance
exam, when a friend told me to come and sit in her med school class. After
that, I shadowed a few doctors. I knew that I didn't want to ever have to tell
anyone that they wouldn't walk again nor that we had no clue what was going on
with them. I knew that I wanted to be in healthcare and remembered the
nurses that always supported me and gave me hope, throughout some of my own health
lows.
It
took me a year from that decision, to take the nursing school entrance exam and
another year to actually submit my application.
mW: Was it hard to get into the
nursing program?
AD:
This question depends on the type of person you are. I don’t take “no” for an
answer! I picked a college where acceptance was based on grades and not an in-person
interview. MY entrance exam score was higher than the average and
my prerequisite classes all held A's so I knew I would be in the running
for a seat.
Mw: Was the school and others
encouraging?
AD:
I wouldn't say encouraging but definitely a learning curve.
It’s a rare sight to see a nurse in a wheelchair. I had
to continuously prove myself to the clinical staff and to professors
that seconded guessed my ability, because of my chair. I was lucky that my
peers never doubted me for a second and I believe that is because
they would see me drive up to the building.
mW: Were there any special concessions to enable you to participate?
AD:
No, there are no concessions in nursing, at least not at my school. You have to
figure out how to get the task done correctly and keep the patient and
yourself, safe. You are the at the front line of health care so knowing your
ability and being 30 steps ahead, is a constant. Any error can risk a life so
concessions at this stage aren't made (unless you're talking about
getting accessible parking at certain clinical sites).
mW:
What are your favorite aspects of nursing?
AD:
My favorite part about nursing is the ability to be a patient's coach. As a
nurse you know what is changing because we are with that patient much
more than the doctor is; that bond and sense of trust built between a patient
and a nurse is powerful and it means a lot .
mW:
What parts of nursing do you find challenging?
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Andrea takes someone's blood pressure |
mW:
What advice would you give other mobileWOMEN considering a nursing career?
AD:
GO FOR IT! Don't let doubt or anyone tell you that you can't do
something. Nursing school is just the beginning, the career of nursing can
take you so many different places, aside from a hospital. Do your research,
ask the tough questions and be honest with yourself about your limits. Know
what you can and can't do and what you are willing to work on to be
able to do. Remember that nursing is about the lives you touch, not just
yourself.
mW:
Any other comments that you would like to share?
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Andrea and friend at her graduation |
When
I got accepted to nursing school, I reached out to friends who were already
nurses and asked for their guidance. Two out of the three thought that I
was crazy and they are no longer friends. The third told me to believe in my
ability and to hold onto it, when everything is else against me. Her words
got me to say, “I am nurse, Andrea Dalzell soon to be Andrea Dalzell
R.N!”
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