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For 22-year-old Maria E. Alvarez,
it’s been a long, hard road to her dream
of becoming a teacher. On Monday, Alvarez is graduating Cum Laude.
Diagnosed at the early age of three months with tibial torsion and displaced
hips, a condition that left untreated would result in wheelchair confinement
for the rest of her life, Maria was treated for years and eventually was able
to walk.
But her challenges did not end there:
When she was 5, she began having trouble in school, and was diagnosed
with the learning disorder dyslexia. Her test
results indicated that she was two years behind her biological age. She was
then placed
in a special program for children with learning disabilities. During her
years in the program, Maria tried extremely hard to accomplish
all the goals set
for her.
When she began seventh grade, Maria
was enrolled in a private school where she attended regular classes
until 12th grade.
But Maria never forgot those who
helped her deal with her learning disability, and she returned
every summer to help children in special education at
the same school she had attended. At her high school graduation, she
was recognized
as
the student who dedicated the most time to helping others.
In 1998, she enrolled at FIU. Working
twice as hard as her peers, she attended full-time, worked part-time
at a doctor’s office, and tutored children
with disabilities. While at FIU, Maria was part of Kappa Delta Pi- the education
honor society.
“She will go on to touch and change lives forever, just as her own life
has changed,” said Maria Alvarez, her mother.
Looking toward the future, Maria
looks forward to working with children in special education.
But, her dreams don’t end there. Two weeks after graduating
Maria will marry her boyfriend of five years who is an FIU graduate and employee,
Brian L. Perez.
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