Jessi Navarro: Where are you from?

Ania Marecka: Originally, Poland.

Jessi: How did you get here?

Ania: I actually came here when I was eight years old. It was because my mom found out about Shriners Hospital. The doctors in Poland were giving her different opinions about what they could do to help me, and she just wanted to see what the doctors would say here.

Jessi: So you left Poland?

Ania: Yes, my mom and I came, and at Shriners, they said I needed to do a leg lengthening surgery, which helped prevent the need to do some other procedures.

Jessi: So then did you stay in the U.S. or go back home?

Ania: I used to go back and forth, so this is actually my fourth time here, but then we actually decided to stay here because my surgeries aren't over with and it was too expensive to fly back and forth. Also, we could stay close by [to Shriner's] in case something happens. So, that's how we decided to stay.

Jessi: When did you decide to stay for good?

Ania: In 2002.

Jessi: So, just your mom and you… What about the rest of your family?

Ania: Actually, I haven't seen them in almost 6 years. My brother came here and my cousin was here, but I haven't gone back yet.

Jessi: What about schooling? Going between both countries had to be difficult.

Ania: I had a lot of home schooling because after a lot of surgeries I wasn't able to go to school. Every time I went to Poland I had to take all the tests there to qualify for the next grade level and to stay on track, but then I moved here in 7^th grade. In 8^th grade, I was home-schooled and then I started attending school on property 9^th through 12^th.

Jessi: How old are you now?

Ania: I am 19 years old.

Jessi: When did you first find out about ChairScholars?

Ania: That was a year and a half ago. I was participating in the Transitions to Adulthood program with Shriners. We get work experience at Shriners, doing things around the hospital and learning different job skills. Each Friday, instead of work they had workshops. And that was one of the workshops, talking about scholarships and all the necessary information, and that's pretty much how I found out.

Jessi: Obviously, you got the Chair Scholarship and you graduated high school? Where are you going to school now?

Ania: Wilbur Wright College [one of the City College of Chicago].

Jessi: What are you studying?

Ania: Psychology. I would like to open my own practice, being a psychotherapist. I'm still trying to decide if I should finish 4 years of college or go all the way to my PhD. I don't know, we'll see how things go. Whatever happens, happens, I guess.

Jessi: Do you need a PhD to practice or open your own clinic?

Ania: You don't. The only difference between finishing 4 years or going all the way, is that you can diagnose people with mental disorders. I'm taking a class called Survey of Psychiatric Rehab. It talks about diagnosis and things you can do with a PhD. At this point, I think I'm just going to stick to talking with people, [not diagnosis]. I'd like to mostly specialize with teenagers, mostly trying to help them figure things out, I guess.

Jessi: Can you tell me a little about your disability?

Ania: Originally I was born with no arms, and my left leg was 4 cm shorter. That difference between my legs was getting bigger as I was growing up. My legs weren't growing like the rest of my body. Because of not walking straight, I had scoliosis. I had to have two surgeries for that. So, it was like complications, one thing caused the other.

Jessi: So now, how does disability affect your health? Does it affect it at all?

Ania: I wouldn't say so. [The only limitation has] been not being able to be independent. Some things are harder to do, but I've learned that you have to try. I had an aide who helped me in high school, and then college came, and I was like I think I'm going to try this by myself. Now, I'm driving myself to school, no aide, no nothing like that, so I'm doing fine.

Jessi: So you drive?

Ania: I actually got my driver's license in April of last year.

Jessi: Do you use any modifications?

Ania: That was the other thing. When I first went there, they said it was going to cost $50,000 in modifications for me to drive. I was like, what do I need that's going to cost so much. People just assume what you can and cannot do. But then I looked at what they were suggesting, and I was like, I don't need this, I don't need that, so they asked me to come back to try a regular car to see what I really did need, and it ended up only being $3,000 of modifications. That's a big difference $50,000 to $3,000. Actually, I probably wouldn't have been able to afford to drive if it had been [the former], but because it was only $3,000, they got a sponsor so it was all paid for.

Jessi: Did you ever meet the sponsor?

Ania: No, I haven't had the chance. It was actually a good thing. At the last minute, I decided to graduate early from high school. They were supposed to pay for my modifications, and they didn't want to pay. But it all worked out. I graduated early, and my classes were paid for and the modifications and everything, so it all turned out good. If I hadn't fought for it, I probably wouldn't have got it. My school was like, oh your insurance is going to be so expensive, thousands of dollars a year. I was like, that's not possible. Later, I found out my insurance can't charge me more because I'm on disability. I had to find out about everything by myself and take it all into my own hands.

Jessi: Of course, so once you got these modifications and everything, you got the license?

Ania: It turned out okay. At that time I was 18, so I didn't have to have the minimum hours behind the wheel. I went there to the driving practice four times and I said I think I'm ready! And I went [to the DMV] and I passed it! I was so nervous. And I passed the first time. I said to myself, “I have to pass this because I don't want people thinking that she didn't pass because she has no arms.” I want to be looked at as an equal person. Just because sometimes it doesn't work out the way it should, it shouldn't be blamed on the fact that I have no arms. Just because I don't know how to cook, it's not because I don't have arms, it's just because I haven't learned yet.

Jessi: So, when did you make your first greeting card?

Ania: It wasn't too long ago; I think it was two years ago. It was the Christmas before last and before that I just did… Every year, Shriner's has a calendar. I did a picture for that a few years back.

Jessi: What else do you enjoy doing to be creative?

Ania: Actually, I don't think I am. I don't even know how this whole thing started. I was bored, and I drew something and everyone said I can draw so well. I was like, I barely do it! I think I have some creativity in me, but it doesn't always come out. I have to learn how to express it, I guess.

Jessi: There are going to be other individuals reading this, who maybe are trying to figure out how they can achieve some of their dreams. What words of encouragement or advice would you offer them?

Ania: Keep fighting and don't ever lose hope. You're not going to do anything by sitting around and feeling bad for yourself. You just have to keep fighting and keep trying. That's what I've learned in. I'd probably say it's all about what you want to do and how much you want to try…how much you want to do it. That's how much you're going to get out.