Elgin Community College student, Maryam Ebadi, has a story to tell.

Born in Iran, Ebadi was born with eyesight complications and continued to struggle with her vision as a young child. Early diagnosed with the disease, retinitis pigmentosa, also known as rod-cone dystrophy, Ebadi’s visual impairment created challenges out of everyday activities.

At sixteen years old, Ebadi married and soon gave birth to her two children. Following their birth, Ebadi lost most of her vision. Four years later she was deemed legally blind. Ebadi describes her childhood in Iran as “good.” 

“Iran does not offer disability services for citizens with both physical and non-physical disabilities,” Ebadi said.

However,  she explained that her Iranian educators were “very accommodating” to her visual impairment.

“I loved [my education.] I try my hardest to be a good student for my teachers,” Ebadi said.

Now a single mother of two young children, Ebadi is a current student in the continuing education program and plans to become a certified medical translator in the future. Ebadi wants to be a medical translator because she speaks three languages.

“The people [at ECC] are so nice. They’re all very helpful,” Ebadi said.

When asked what advice she would give to students who have a disability, Ebadi stated, “Don’t give up. Be strong and keep your self-confidence. We do anything that anyone else does.”