A disability has inspired a student of Skyline College to start a club that will inspire, help, and make others who struggle with any disability appreciate, understand, and come to an acceptance with themselves.
When he was born his parents were informed of his birth defect at birth by doctors. Twenty-four-year-old, Robert Anstirman, soon to be 25 in two weeks – has struggled since birth with Spina Bifida which is caused by a bump or deformation of the spinal cord. The disability has affected his legs, left arm, and lower back. It is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the U.S. Spina Bifida Association of America Statistics shows seven out of 10,000 people in the U.S are born with Spina Bifida.
Being on campus Robert noticed how difficult is was for students opening doors for themselves when other students overlooked them. This drove him to start a club for disabled students around campus which is now called Differently-abled Club. Robert says awareness is the key for informing students around campus.
Growing up as a child Robert remembers how people would stare at him and call him names like “Penguin,” which made him feel bad and lowered his self esteem as a child. He was afraid to go outside or around people because of the name-calling and staring. When asked how he dealt with it, he says, “Strong family and friend support has taught me to accept my disability.”
After scheduling two meetings with no show, Robert still believes that people will eventually show up and support his club. Robert has not yet come up with an objective but would like other groups on campus to become one community where he can build and share his ideas with other groups that will give him a better idea on starting his program.
Robert would also like to be a voice and inform other students with physical or learning disabilities while concentrating in Kinesiology or recreation as a major here at Skyline College. Robert Anstirman can be reached at (650) 243-1149 or [email protected] for information regarding support.
