April 27, 2004
BIO: E. Doll Pasquarello I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 2, 1942. My biological mother left me with the babysitters at age two and never returned. I was raised in a foster home-like atmosphere where I received the necessities of life, but it was very stressful. I’d been heavy most of my life. By the time I was 42 I weighed around 400 lbs. Needless to say, my health had also deteriorated. I had osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, COPD and was morbidly obese. In 1997, through the miracle of modern medicine, I had the gastric-bypass and started to finally lose my life-long weight problem. When I started at HCC Dale Mabry campus in the Fall of 1998 at the age of 56, I was still using a handicapped scooter to get around the halls, and still weighed around 250 lbs. Since 1998, I lost approximately another 100 lbs., had two knee replacements, a rebuilt shoulder and several other operations. There was a year’s physical therapy after each knee surgery, a lot of pain and a lot of hard work, and a lot of caring people along the way that helped me to recuperate and grow physically, mentally and spiritually. I was also diagnosed manic-depressive during that period of time and have a lot of anxieties. The Students with Disabilities office helped me tremendously with tutors, proctors, and special accommodations. The Writing Center and the Tutoring Center have provided invaluable assistance in my leaning process and the Student Support Services Program not only helped me financially with scholarships, but broadened my understanding of other college’s facilities. Now at the age of 62, with the help of God and many others, my dream has come to fruition. I’ve actually earned a degree, am graduating from college, am a normal sized human being, and will be able to walk up to receive my diploma on my own two legs. I look forward to my next degree. | 
