Summer — 2009

Dafna Gur

ICC Commissioner/Science

“Everyone in the Associated Student Government is awesome! They’re very passionate people trying to make positive changes, and they’re extremely smart. It’s amazing to be around that energy.”

Sometimes the words come. And sometimes they don’t. But even when they do, they often don’t stay around for long. For Dafna Gur, the process of learning includes always being patient with herself. “I have a learning disability, so school takes me an extra long time,” she says. “Sure, it’s reading and retention, but I also have a hard time comprehending stuff. I have to study something three or four times longer than others to understand it.” But fortunately, Dafna is not all alone in her struggles.

“The whole system at SMC for addressing learning disabilities has given me so much help,” says Dafna. “It has so many counselors and tutors there for people like me. And then there’s the High Tech Training Center, which is incredibly empowering. They have people taking notes for students, and they even have people coming in to ‘sign’ for those who can’t hear. There’s a ton of resources at SMC for both the physically disabled and those of us with learning disabilities.” But Dafna is not letting this little ‘hitch in her get-along’ stand in the way of where she wants to be in her life.

“There’s so much going on in the field of science, and I’ve always just loved the subject,” she says. “I don’t want to be a medical doctor; I want to do research. It’s all very fascinating, and I think it will be wonderful to be surrounded by people constantly working together to do whatever they can to help others.” Dafna adds, “Getting the help that you need at SMC is really a simple matter. People should just join one of the student clubs. And then—if they like that experience—definitely join up with the AS. That’s where the really active people go. There’s just no downside to it.”

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