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Aims is hosting a community screening of the documentary Normal Isn’t Real: Succeeding with Learning Disabilities & ADHD, followed by a local panel about redefining what lifetime success can look like for those with learning disabilities (LD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) issues.
The event occurs at the Aims Welcome Center, 4901 W. 20th Street in Greeley, on February 25 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. It is free for all community members to attend.
“Everybody knows someone with a learning disability, whether they realize it or not. This event normalizes learning disabilities,” said Kaylea Sharp, an advisor at the Aims Student Accessibility Services Center. “Many of these individuals have significant challenges, but they’re doing really well, which can be inspiring.”
Normal Isn’t Real: Succeeding with Learning Disabilities & ADHD features four inspiring young adults sharing their stories of overcoming the challenges of LD and ADHD. These candid portraits take the viewer into the subjects’ daily lives, showcasing their talents, venting their frustrations, and employing the strategies they use to manage their challenges and utilize their strengths. They come from diverse backgrounds, and their journeys are as unique and varied as the careers they have developed. They have all become experts on themselves and what they need to succeed.
“The stories in the film are powerful because they highlight invisible disabilities — challenges that aren’t obvious from the outside,” said Teresa Cribelli, manager of the Aims Belonging, Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Program. “These individuals share their struggles but also how they’ve found success. One of the most compelling parts of the film is how these individuals found careers that play to their strengths.”
Following the documentary screening, a panel of individuals from the local community, including employees from Aims Community College, will share their experiences of adapting in the workplace and in school. The panelists, each with their unique journey, will also be available to answer questions from the audience. These successful local professionals will share their insights on navigating LD and ADHD. “I’m excited about the panelists,” Cribelli said. “They bring a local perspective that makes these issues feel real and relatable to our community.”
The panel includes Gail Suitor, an enthusiastic change-maker and Colorado educator who advocates for neurodiversity. Her career, which has spanned over two decades, is marked by collaborations with schools, organizations, and individuals to develop impactful programs that highlight the value of neurodiverse talents in various sectors. She will provide insight into how people with these diagnoses function and ways to support them.
“It’s important for people to see that they can be successful with a disability,” Sharp said. “There are ways to navigate life, school, and work while managing a diagnosis."
For more information about events at Aims Community College, visit events.aims.edu. To request accommodations for this event, call 970-339-6388 or email accommodations@aims.edu.
