Meet Debanny
Serving and inspiring Oklahoma's students with disabilities is our passion; our purpose. Each month, we hope to highlight a student whose story encourages others.
We have learned that one of the best ways to hear about our most amazing students is from those that spend time with them everyday. So, we encourage family members, education professionals and transition professionals to tell us about students who are doing amazing things.
Kevin Randall recently met with Debanny, a student at Northeastern State University, who is thriving in life despite physical and other disability-related challenges. She talked about many things including her what she does for fun, and goals she has for herself and others facing similar challenges. She is a wonderful example of resilience. We are excited to share their conversation.
What are your interests and hobbies? That is such a difficult question for me because I have a lot of interests and things I like to do. I love to be creative, learn new things, and connect with people. One of the biggest ways I do this is through my interest and love of art and going out into the community. I explore local art events and make connections with the local artists and communities in need in my own free time. When I can, I also try to enjoy some time in nature and get some activity and relaxation into my life by going on walks and exploring parks, or meditating.
What activity do you enjoy the most during the fall? Around the fall I love to walk around creeks and watch the leaves change colors. I also like to celebrate and put-up decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
What is your preferred fall drink? Almost like a tradition for my family and I to get together and drink Chocolate de abuelita. For me it is my favorite fall drink because of all the good memories gathered from getting together to drink this warm Hispanic hot cocoa while growing up.
If I were to provide you with $50,000 to create a positive impact in your community, how would you use it to bring about meaningful change? For years I have always had this question in mind, it's what pushes me and makes me want to give back to the community. My goal in life is to open many charity organizations that will encourage educational growth, build powerful strong leadership qualities in individuals, and support mental health. I would start with supporting individuals with my same disability when it comes to mental health and physical activity. Many individuals struggle mentally due to the disorder's effects on the nervous system. There is a heightened issue in respiratory issues, anxiety leading to anxiety attacks, and spinal nerve issues. The Organization would be designed to help support mentally, find community, and resources for bettering health. The next biggest thing I would do is encourage educational programs and activities for children in low-income households in our community. It would support and give variety/enhance children’s creativity, and subjects like Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Literature/writing. Oklahoma is one of the lowest ranked educational systems in the Nation and I would like to create change in that for our future generations that come after us.
Have you ever had any prior work experiences or volunteer opportunities? Yes! So, I have had some volunteer opportunities. I was involved in a few organizations over the past; them being called the Hispanic Student Association, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. At HSA I had the opportunity to raise diversity and speak at an event held at TCC as a Representative of the club. Later I transferred to NSU I became involved with The National Society of Leadership and Success; I was a Vice President. While being there I developed leadership skills and learned how to create a safe connective environment with other individuals seeking to build leadership qualities in groups.
Could you share your experience? When I was in the middle of my seventh or eighth grade year of school, I was dead set on knowing I wanted to receive a higher education- preferably a bachelor’s of some sort if it made sense a masters or even higher but I was never sure about resources or how to even begin. Being a first-generation Mexican American it was difficult to hear others say their parents helped them go through the process and how easy it was to get set up in college. In my experience it was as if I was starting something completely foreign and new, there were speech and vocabulary barriers due to filling out forms and not understanding exactly what I needed to hand in or complete due to lack of experience with some of the items they had been asking of me to fill out. I went out of my way to figure out what I needed and how it needed to get done and would help my sister on how to go about what they were asking. Luckily through DRS I was able to feel more relieved in how I would be able to maneuver my way through college being low-incomed and having a disability. I do recognize and take pride in how much I went out of my way to be able to achieve getting through the process of applying for college because it is a lot. It is very stressful to go back and forth and ensure you submitted all the correct forms to be eligible for FAFSA and enrollment into your courses. After the first semester luckily enough, it is just rinse and repeat. Due to the process, I learned I had to be an adult and figure out how the process works and ask questions even if they seem like dumb questions at first. After a short time, I learned to appreciate and feel very grateful that my path toward a higher education was tougher than others because it made me firm and understand that making this decision is something I truly wanted. DRS has helped support my dreams by helping me with the steps toward my dream career.
What is your dream career? I want to be an Operation Research Analyst; it falls into the international field. I know maybe it seems odd to have a hobby such as art and being creative to go toward a business career; my belief is that although I love and am great at art, I didn't want it to be my career. If anything, art is only an extension to me. In order to achieve my goal of either creating or to be a part of a charity and or organization that will support our community; the way I see it realistic to do so is by going after a career that gives me that ability to fund those dreams. The career path I chose fulfills another side I have where I want to connect people and business on a global scale. I love that I will be able to continue staying informed and research what are other operational strategy methods across the globe.
Can you share one challenge you've faced due to your disability and how you managed to overcome it? The biggest challenge for me is being able to accept and be a part of society as if I am like any other person without a disability. I have CMT, it affects the nerves and in turn weakens the muscles. It is difficult to maintain balance, go up and down stairs smoothly and quickly. In life we are handed things we don't know how to deal with, although my disability is an extension to me, I do not allow for it to define me in a negative light because it will never be different. We are handed one life in this world, we decide to maintain the body to be healthy, clean, clear and happy.
What advice or tips would you like to share with other youth? I suggest to not be afraid to look silly and ask the questions you need answered and continue asking if you do not still understand until you finally can make a valid decision. We all must look silly before we appear knowledgeable.
What is the most significant goal or dream you wish to achieve in your lifetime?
In my lifetime it is to set my family up for success, be a productive member of society and be a part of the globe in an impactful, meaningful way.
What would you like the world to know about you?
I would like the world to know I started out believing I couldn’t achievable anything, but I dug deep inside myself, and I realized I could be a part of so much. I am a Mexican American with a disability and I stand strong for who I am and what I can offer.
Is there anyone specific you'd like to give a shoutout to? My Mother for all the knowledge, advice, understanding and support she has given me in life. She has stood by my side and made everything and more possible for me to be here today.
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