Tori lemon
Editor-in-Chief
When Director of Disability Services Teressa Eastman was born without her left hand, she never knew the challenges and triumphs that awaited her.
With no medical history of disabilities in the family, there was no real medical explanation for why she was born without a hand.
“They’re really not sure why that occurred,” Eastman said. “There’s not a history of it in my family. They think it might have occurred when my mother was pregnant and had x-rays done. Back then, they weren’t aware that it was harmful.”
To some, growing up without a limb might hinder their quality of life. However, for Eastman, despite the tribulations, it was just something she had to adapt to.
“I’ve grown up this way my entire life,” Eastman said. “I’ve met milestones just like everyone else. I was able to crawl. I shared a baby bed with my two cousins that are younger than me, and I was the only one that could climb out of the bed on my own- one handed I might add. I just have adapted over the years.”
Eastman faced discrimination throughout her schooling by being singled out, long before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines were set into play.
“I was told a lot in school to sit on the sidelines a lot and was told things like ‘because you have one arm, you can’t do this,’” Eastman said. “That truly doesn’t happen today hopefully.”
Facing discrimination among the workforce was also a challenge for Eastman on several occasions. Despite having all of the qualifications needed, she still was told she would not be able to have the job.
“I experienced even job discrimination early in my career,” Eastman said. “I was qualified for the positions, but because I couldn’t do just one thing, they wouldn’t hire me. It’s just one of those things, what doesn’t kill you make you stronger. I think that’s why now I’m such an advocate for students and people with disabilities, because I’ve been down that road.”
Eastman first took that advocacy with her to a middle school special education room, and later decided to apply for an opening at Butler. She has been with Butler for 17 years, 15 of those being director of disability services. As director, her job is to make sure students get appropriate accommodations for their classes and to make sure the campus is compliant with the guidelines that fall under ADA.
“I work with facilities to make sure that our campus is compliant with ADA and that there are ramps, door openers and the handicap bathroom stalls,” Eastman said. “I work a lot with students in regards to test taking, and if they need it, I provide them test taking accommodations or reading accommodations.”
Eastman encourages students with disabilities to not allow their circumstances to hinder their ability to live out their dreams and lives, just like anyone else would.
“You need to look at, and value, yourself,” Eastman said. “There are positions for every body out in the world. No matter what your ability is, there’s a place for you. You just need to find what your ability, and passions are, and really work hard at going for you dreams.”
If any students have any questions or concerns for Eastman, she can be reached at teastman@butlercc.edu or by calling the Disability Services office at 316-322-3321.