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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 10/3/06 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
February 24, 2006 Full-time mom follows her passions Sundance goes to UWGB while taking care of disabled son By Kelly McBride
It's how she lives each day, from before she wakes her son until he's sound asleep at night.
It surrounds her coursework at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, roots itself in her high grade-point average and shows up via frequent university accolades, say those who know her.
But for Sundance, it's just what she does. Caring for a disabled adult son while attending classes full time, she said, is really nothing special. Anyone could do it if they really wanted to.
Her professors tend to disagree. And as Sundance completes the last semester of her biology degree, they say she's the perfect example of the passion of many adult learners.
"She's just gone forward," said Tara Reed, associate professor of natural and applied sciences at UWGB. "She's made choices to follow her passions and her heart — in terms of her studying — that I think are very brave, especially given that she's got extra challenges."
Those challenges include full-time care of her son, 20-year-old Lucas, who is blind and autistic. He attends school during the days when she does, but the rest of the time it's just the two of them.
Her story
"When I was that young, I didn't really know what I wanted to do," Sundance said. "The next step was, you go to college — so I went to college. But I didn't have a focus ... that I wanted to do with my life. So having a family seemed like an OK option, too."
Sundance was a full-time mom for years, doing odd jobs at times and working a couple of years after earning a one-year practical nursing degree. Later, she worked as an office manager while Lucas attended a boarding school in Janesville.
It was there that a co-worker who was involved in UWGB's extended degree program got Sundance thinking about school again.
"I started taking one course at a time for several semesters and really enjoying it," she said. "And then when I started planning, 'OK, my son's going to be coming back to my home — he won't be at the boarding school. What can I do with my time?' I said while he's in school, I should go to school."
Although returning adult students often have life circumstances that can complicate their return to the classroom, those experiences also can be beneficial, said Jan Thornton, associate provost for outreach and adult access at UWGB.
"Many times, adults do better in classes, and of course professors love having older students in their classes because they bring with them a lifetime of experience," Thornton said. "It turns out to be an overall asset."
Not that returning students don't face their share of hurdles. For many, Thornton said, the toughest obstacle is mental; self-doubt can be an issue until many adults realize they're able to succeed in class.
For Sundance, getting back in the rhythm of college life took a little getting used to. After taking Chemistry I in the 1970s, when she started school, she had to audit Chemistry II twice before finally taking the course for credit.
Add to that the rigors of a full-time student's schedule, not to mention caring for Lucas, and Sundance's dedication is evident, Reed said.
"Juniper's a unique person," she said. "Balancing school and life can be a challenge for lots of people. But Juniper is her own woman."
Keeping up
Within the last year or so, Lucas has been taking medication that disturbs his sleep, she said. So now even when he goes to bed, it's tough for her to stay up and study because she might wake him.
"This year, I haven't been able to be awake in the house," she said. "He's sleeping lighter or something."
Still, sometimes Sundance is able to make up her study time earlier in the mornings — even as early as 3 a.m., she said. She's also able to get some studying done at school, between classes and during the weekends.
Tackling what's next
"I just really love learning something new," she said. "I don't think I ever stopped being a student."
Of course, there will be some obstacles along the way. Funding her education has been an issue, Sundance said, and she's relied on grants, loans and cost-cutting at home to cover the bills.
But perhaps the greater challenge will be care for Lucas. After working with a school aide one day each week during the school year, he hasn't progressed as hoped, Sundance said. Once he's no longer attending public school, Lucas will need more help than originally thought.
"He can't be at home by himself alone," she said in a Feb. 14 interview. "They just told me this week that it looks like he ... won't be as independent as we were hoping, as I was hoping."
Still, whether she goes to work or continues her education — and whatever comes next for Lucas — Sundance is glad she went back. So are those who know her.
"I think a lot of Juniper," Reed said. "I guess that I would just encourage people who are considering returning to school — give it a shot. It's never too late."
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