Jeanna Dance

Jeanna Dance graduated fall quarter 2006 with her Associate of Arts degree in Early childhood Education!

In 1991 at the age of seven Jeanna was diagnosed with a magnablastoma brain tumor. At that time the technology was not as well advanced and many diagnosed with this type of brain tumor did not survive. Treatment was by today's standards aggressive and radical.

Doctors at that time gave Jeanna's family little hope that Jeanna would ever ride a bike or go to school. Rehabilitation was largely a family and personal goal. Jeanna stated that somehow she managed to get through elementary school without accommodations and finally in junior high she did receive an accommodation plan which helped , but there were still negative attitudes about her completion. School psychologists and teachers stated Jeanna may not be able to graduate and should just remain in Special Education until the age of 21 and finish with a certificate.

That was not in Jeanna's plan! She said she “grabbed the bull by the horns“ and graduated with plans to attend BCC . She investigated her options for college and decided to come to BCC, largely because of its DSS (Disability Support Services) office.

Jeanna was focused and used her accommodations. They included extended time testing and use of a software known as Dragon Naturally Speaking. With persistence and motivation, Jeanna met her educational goals and plans to work in a career teaching children.

Jeanna does still ride a bicycle. She wants others to know that they should “Shoot for the stars. Just go for it!!“

Rick Eldridge

Richard, (Rick) Eldridge graduated from BCC last winter quarter (2005). He was a regular to DSS and he played a large roll in awareness activities on campus during his years here pursuing his transfer degree

Rick's life was forever changed on September 27, 1997 when his vehicle crashed on the freeway one fall day. Rick is quadriplegic and uses a power chair and assistive technology to be the independent person he had always been in the past. He said he realized that he could either live in a nursing home the rest of his life or get an education and get his life back. So, he began classes at BCC in 2002 and graduated in winter 2005.

Rick was accepted at the UW and has been taking classes there towards a psychology degree. He will attend graduate school and hopes to also receive a minor in rehabilitation/counseling with an emphasis somewhere in assistive technology.

Rick is a success story for sure. When he wants something he goes for it! His advocacy skills are enviable and one day we hope his talents will be put to use teaching younger people how to set appropriate goals, develop their own resources, organize their work and lives and stay focused and on their paths!

Rick consistently held a 4.0 GPA while attending BCC and he maintains his relationships with many of the faculty, staff and administrators he developed during his time at BCC