Campus transition program assists various students with acclamation

James Maloney is a leader.

He was vice president of student government and became president at Black Hawk College in Moline. He represented students as the student trustee for the Black Hawk district, which covered seven districts.

He presided over a chair for the Illinois Community College Board Student Advisory Committee, where he worked at a state level as well as with the most prestigious and highest of all educational boards in the state, The Illinois Board of Higher Education.

“I fill up my time doing stuff for other people,” Maloney said with a grin. “I don’t know how to explain it.”

And he does all of it on four wheels. Maloney has cerebral palsy, a medical condition that affects control over a person’s muscles. Children and adults who have cerebral palsy may be unable to walk, talk or eat. It is caused by injury to the brain before, during or shortly after birth.

“Because I have CP and needed others’ assistance with my life the only way of giving back was helping others,” he said. “And it’s useful when working in disability services and social services because you have to know your resources.”

Talking with Maloney gives an impression on just how well versed he is in helping a variety of people, which he attributes to his training in various fields of volunteer work as well as professional social services training. But there was something missing from his life.

Relying on his family for assistance, something that Maloney has tried to shake, prompted his pilgrimage to Carbondale and it has opened his eyes.

This is Maloney’s first year away from home. The junior transfer from Black Hawk College moved in Monday morning. When most freshmen were still at home, Maloney was training for college.

“It is essential to learn communication skills and be open to other people,” Maloney said referring to getting acclimated with the college environment. ” People have questions about disabilities. Some people say it’s none of their business. ‘Why this?’ And ‘Why that?’ But answering those questions is essential to breaking down barriers and stereotypes.

“Everybody who is born has a disability to some degree. A lot of disabilities are unseen.”

Communication is the key to Maloney’s success. Wherever he goes, he plans on making an impression, whether it’s Moline or Rock Island where he was born, Maloney’s secret is being able to talk, but listen too.

“If you are open it makes them more comfortable,” Maloney said. “Because if you’re not open it makes people afraid to interact with you, because they don’t know how to interact.”

Twenty-Three year-old Maloney comes from a family a five, where he is the youngest, although his baby face never lets on that he’s day over 20. His two older brothers, both adopted are 34 and 41.

After moving things into his dorm room at Thompson Point, he felt pretty comfortable, but after a quick realization that the crowds were yet to come, Maloney knew he had work ahead.

The transitions program has played an essential and crucial role in Maloney’s attempt at independence, but it only helped him as a stepping-stone to lift off.

Rita Van Pelt, coordinator of Disability Support Services, said the transitions program is essential to each student it reaches.

” I can’t say enough good,” Van Pelt said. “Everyone I have talked to gives credit to the program.”

And Van Pelt sees a determination in Maloney that is evident upon first glimpse of him.

“I can tell he’s going to make it,” she said.

A move on Thursday with incoming freshmen would have simply left Maloney lost, he said. Even with the training it has been difficult. Losing track of the winding and confusing tracks from his Thompson point dorm has caused him to lose his way at least 10 times.

The first hand instruction and experience Maloney witnessed throughout the week was enough to solidify in his knowledge, what was needed of him to succeed in his new endeavor.

“If you can get your information from somebody first-hand, it’s twice as valuable,” he said. “It’s scary. It would be scary for anybody, because you do not know what to expect.”

The Transitions Program lasts the first week of a student’s move down to Carbondale. Students are introduced to a variety of representatives from around the campus, including career services, health services, public safety and personal assistants, which help in the everyday life of a student. Learning all of the ins and outs of his stay in Carbondale was not enough for Maloney, he needed interaction.

Maloney’s initial reaction was one of incredible ease. This would be a breeze, he thought. The streets were empty, as were the sidewalks.

But something was missing – students.

“I didn’t plan on being in my room a lot, I want to get out there and get involved with other students,” Maloney said. “If you get involved in the community and have hands on experience it will help you with school itself.”

Moving away form his parents was the first part of Jim’s plan to becoming a valuable commodity to any volunteer or social services network.

“I believe this, living on your own is the most valuable experience you can ever have,” he said. “In order for you to experience total independence you need to move six hours away from your parents so they can’t assist you.”

Maloney’s family has always helped him with his waking up, bathing and personal care. Now at SIUC, he must rely on a new set of assistants – complete strangers. To Maloney that is a welcome change.

“That’s why it’s important to be open,” he said. “The most enjoyable part of any experience is being able to meet other people. That’s my goal here at college.”

However, complete strangers are not always reliable and Maloney was faced with a new set of problems now that he has to entrust his care in a complete stranger’s hands.

“If they’re running late, you’re running late,” he said. ” It can be discouraging, but you gotta go with the flow. I always try to find humor in all my situations. They say laughter is the best medicine.”

His solid determination is in everything he does, from volunteering his time at the Family Resources Inc., a comprehensive family centered program, which concentrates on growing healthy families and loving relationships, to meeting new friends.

” It’s not easy, but you can accomplish anything you want,” Maloney said. ” If you give up you set yourself up for failure. I was scared to death coming to Southern.”

” I mean you got to rely on strangers, but it is important to take challenges and look for opportunities. It helps you grow as a person.”

For the upcoming semester, Maloney will take one class a day except for Thursday when he’ll have two classes, resulting in what he hopes for – a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and then a master’s in social work. It was tough for Maloney’s parents to leave. His mother still calls everyday.

“I keep saying I’m not gonna answer the phone one of these times,” he said jokingly with a giant smile.

He occupies his time with a variety of options such as traveling around Carbondale by bus or simply listening to his police scanner to get a better picture of what happens on real calls of help, but a lot of his time lately has been in his room.

Spending hour after hour in his room is not a lifestyle Maloney intends to lead, staring at the vast emptiness of his room. And the endless white paint can take a toll on anyone. Maloney craves interaction, so by Friday he was at Pinch.

Maloney’s plans were already mapped out in his mind about Carbondale.

“I want to get trained to volunteer on how to answer the crisis hotline,” he said.

Maloney also considered the Women’s Center or the police force explorer program.

” Something I learned, is no matter how you do something, life is a ever learning experience. Life is an adventure in itself. The reason it’s an adventure is because you never know what’s going to happen.

“My goal is to help people.”

Reporter Moustafa Ayad can be reached at [email protected]