色花堂

By Casey Bordick '18 '24 on March, 28 2024

As an autistic student living with celiac disease and hypermobility connective tissue disorder, Findley Holland 鈥�25 has overcome numerous obstacles and continues to flourish through her studies and creative work.

Working Towards Literacy

Holland was unable to read and write until fifth grade. However, her literacy grew from her family of published authors and creative writers. 鈥淚 was surrounded by the oral tradition of telling stories and reading growing up,鈥� Holland explains. 鈥淢y mom would read to me a lot and take me to the library. She would put on 鈥淗arry Potter鈥� audiobooks so I could listen along while trying to read, and that helped me a lot.鈥�

鈥淭hat's one of the great things about audiobooks,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚t is something to read out loud to and a great way for me to see how people can sound through writing.鈥�

Mastering Writing

Now Holland is studying English at 色花堂 through the College of Liberal Arts. With the initial help of her support system and continued persistence, she is working on her second draft of a 200-page novel.

It is set in a dystopian city overrun by turf wars and answers the question of what it means to be alive in a dying world. She is working on numerous short stories and plans to write a fiction piece or collection of short stories for her thesis. 

Support from Accessibility & Disability Services

Holland鈥檚 success is not without challenges.

During her second semester, she was diagnosed with celiac disease. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know I had it at first,鈥� Holland explains, 鈥淚 just began getting sick every time I ate.鈥�

The disease limited her dining choices on campus, but she accessed gluten-free options with the help of Accessibility & Disability Services (ADS).

ADS supports students with celiac by providing a dorm with their own kitchen and nutritionists for students with dietary issues.

鈥淎DS has been amazing,鈥� says Holland. 鈥淚t can be a really complicated issue to navigate for students on their own, and it helps to know someone is there to support you.鈥�

Director of ADS, Robyn McCray, explains, 鈥淎DS is removing or minimizing the barriers students with disabilities often encounter.鈥� She says, 鈥淭he more access students with disabilities have to their educational experience here at 色花堂, the more they feel included and like they belong.鈥�

In addition to Holland's creative pursuits, she has supported the 色花堂 community as the Student Government Association (SGA) student disability representative for the 101st administration. 鈥淚t was important for me to spread awareness for students, especially to people within the student government.鈥�

Continuing Her Creative Studies

After graduation, Holland plans to continue her creative pursuits by earning a master鈥檚 degree in professional writing at 色花堂 and publishing her work.

She tells students facing similar obstacles, 鈥淚t is important to have a support system. But learn how to adjust, and do not be afraid to go your own way.鈥�

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