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With
a
desire
to
become
a
music
therapist
and
support
from
Baldwin
Wallace
University
professors
and
staff,
Gabriella
Drago
'19
graduated
from
college
and
is
now
employed
as
director
of
life
enrichment
with
Kendal
at
Grandville,
a
retirement
community
in
Grandville,
Ohio.
Drago was recently featured on the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities' "OOD Works" podcast, where she discussed her journey as a blind college student.
Achieving her goal of becoming a music therapist did not come without its share of challenges. Accessible versions of textbooks and Braille music weren't always easy to come by. "Sometimes, people don't talk about it, but having a disability can take a toll on your mental health," Drago said. "You can't do it all alone. Having a support system makes it so much easier."
Drago encountered unique hurdles during her college years and was grateful for the faculty and staff who helped in unexpected ways. While waiting for accessible versions of textbooks through BW Disability Services, her music therapy professors went above and beyond by personally reading and recording the first few chapters. They also collaborated with Drago in creating music notation systems that allowed her to participate at the same level as her classmates.
Drago's path from college to workplace was not unlike that which others experience. "I applied for hundreds of jobs … completed 30 interviews and received two job offers," she shared, but the process took several months of consistent dedication.
"Interviewing at those places allowed me to see those weren't the places for me … In the end, you want to be with an employer that sees what you have to offer and is going to value and support you the most," said Drago.
To listen to the podcast or download the transcript, visit ood.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/ood/about-us/communications/podcasts.
