By Michael Adzima SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)- Nowadays, it seems as if every month throughout the year has a few causes dedicated to it. October is most notable for being breast cancer awareness month, but the first full month of autumn has other causes that use the month to try and raise awareness.
October is Disability Awareness and Appreciation Month. Throughout the month, the Syracuse University Disability Cultural Center along with other campus sponsors is hosting several events to promote awareness of different types of disabilities around campus.
“There’s a variety of programming this month that can introduce people to things like autism spectrum, intellectual disability, deafness, blindness, and many other types of experiences that disabled people have,” says Disability Cultural Center Coordinator Kate Pollack.
One of those events was held on Tuesday at Syracuse University’s Maxwell Hall. It featured a presentation by U.S. Air Force veteran and SU alumni Adam LeGrand focusing on the importance of service animals and accessibility to accommodate them.
LeGrand served ten years with the Air Force, but after service found himself struggling with emotional issues like PTSD. LeGrand and his friends searched for ways to help Adam through his struggles, and they found the answer in a golden retriever and lab mix named Molly.
The Florida-based organization K9s For Warriors has given over 450 service dogs to post 9/11 military veterans to help them cope with traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and other combat-related traumas. In 2015, they helped Adam LeGrand meet Molly, the dog LeGrand says has given him a “new leash on life.”
LeGrand has been on campus at Syracuse University since 2016 and has had Molly with him during his full time on campus. LeGrand says there are a few changes he thinks could be made to improve accessibility for service animals on college campuses.
“A lot of people want to see a leash law…that would be wonderful. Service animals could even get school ID cards. Molly goes to all my classes, what’s the harm of giving her an ID?” says LeGrand.
LeGrand also encourages those struggling with emotional distress or mental illness to take advantage in receiving help from national and on-campus resources to “avoid becoming another statistic.” This is important as this week is also Mental Health Awareness Week at SU.
