My name is Greg Smith and I was born with Cerebral Palsy. I come to the UCP/CLASS Community Service Centre on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. I started attending classes here in March 2007. I chose to attend classes here because UCP/CLASS gives me a sense of community belonging and acceptance no matter what, which is important for me as a man with a disability. I have tried many other programs, but never experienced a sense of belonging anywhere else other than UCP/CLASS with the exception of my home at Verland in Natrona Heights, PA.
The program that UCP/CLASS offers me is involvement in discussion based classes and communication based classes that allow me to express my feelings and share my opinions with my peers in a way that is not rushed and has deadlines like most other educational communities such as a college environment. I tried to go to college and complete a two year program through CCAC. I finally did get my associate’s degree but it took me ten years to do so because in all other educational environments that I tried I could not keep up with the students. I came to UCP/CLASS to try an alternative environment. Here my thoughts and opinions are accepted no questions asked and I am not judged even if my opinion is different from other people. Coming to UCP/CLASS gives me a sense of belonging I have never felt before. I love to be around people and communicate with them and have meaningful conversations where I am talked to as an adult with respect.
Coming to UCP/CLASS offers me a sense of routine and purpose in my life. If I didn’t attend here regularly I wouldn’t know what else to do as far as alternative options. Thank you, UCP/CLASS, for making a difference in my life.
UCP/CLASS
