Visually Impaired Student Excels in CFAS Program

 

Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences (CFAS) major Luis Anaya faces adversity with confidence and dedication

Luis Anaya is a 39-year-old Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences major from Los Angeles, California. Luis has been blind since birth, but he said he won't let a visual impairment stop him from pursuing a career he is passionate about.

"I would say being visually impaired has had an effect my schooling, but not a huge one. I have learned to use a lot of different cues. I definitely listen up and pay attention a lot more than other students might."

Luis said he uses a lot of programs that use voice recognition to let him know what information is being presented in class, whereas other students just have to look at the screen. In addition, Luis said he has to do a lot of studying both before and after class. However, he said he believes it to be to his advantage simply because he is forced to focus more.

After earning an Electrical Engineering degree and working as a phone operator, Luis looked into going back to school. During his teenage years, Luis' parents were drug-users. Because of his family background, Texas Tech University's Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences degree really piqued his interest.

"I figured the job I was in would eventually become obsolete. I knew it was time to turn the page and do something different, so I began to look into school again because I knew that it is something I am good at. I found out about this program through the College of Human Sciences and thought it was perfect. It's everything I know about and I can do it for a living."

Luis has learned a lot about how drugs effect people, change people, and how awful they are for the user and their family. Luis is encouraged knowing that there is a way to get out of a situation where drugs are being abused. He wants to help people get back on the right track and live life to the fullest.

Luis has been positively impacted by the knowledge and guidance of many instructors in the Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences program. Faculty such as Drs. George Comiskey and Junius Merrill have demonstrated to Luis their knowledge of and passion for the course material.

Dr. Merrill said he appreciated Luis' dedication to excel. He said Luis is an excellent student and an impressive individual that never uses his disability as an excuse.

"Luis came to class prepared every day. He knew the material and participated with humor and knowledge. He has a fantastic sense of humor and he seemed to see the world with a positive, happy outlook. I was amazed at his ability to study, process, and apply the information that we studied each class."

For someone who is visually impaired, or anyone enrolled in the Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences program, Luis would like to offer some advice—always be prepared.

"For a visually impaired person, there are a lot of ways to get a book in an audio format. Don't procrastinate, get on top of things and stay on top of things. Know what your professors expect, because some expect a lot. If you have a question about what is expected, ask."

Dr. Comiskey said Luis captured his heart by engaging the class in discussions beyond the course material, and allowing them to know him on a deeper level.

"Luis is resilient with an upbeat tone. He's never anonymous wherever he is. When he shows up, the entire room knows he is there. He makes his presence known by engaging fully in whatever topic is in front of the group. He cares about others, he does not make it all about Luis."

Dr. Comiskey said Luis Anaya is a hero and a role model.

Luis is currently enrolled in his last semester. Upon graduating, he would like to work in a rehabilitation setting with people with addictions, as well as people who have family members that have an addiction.