Ohio college student embraces disability, encourages others

On Dec 27, 2021

CEDARVILLE, Ohio — Marissa Conrad’s love for art started as a kid.

The college sophomore said like a lot of young people, she used to draw in class. Drawing became an outlet for her as she struggled growing up to make friends.

What You Need To Know

Conrad was born with congenital amputation, which means limbs did not form correctly or are missing at birth

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in every 1,900 babies is born with a limb reduction defect in the United States

Research shows mothers exposed to chemicals, medications or smoking can see an increased risk of congenital amputation

“I was still very much introverted and didn’t have the highest self-esteem, especially when it came to my disability,” she said.

Conrad was born missing both forearms and hands. Recognizing she was different, she did her best to manage with help from friends and family.

While she doesn’t get to draw as much now because of school, she said she’s always been up for a challenge to prove that she could do anything despite her disability.

Her dad had a hand in that, making sure she’d meet each one. That includes everything from playing sports to instruments.

Fast forward to college, she was excited about going because she knew she’d be going where her parents attended.

Still, she had reservations about how she’d deal with her differences.

“I was very insecure because I didn’t like being different, and I hadn’t really embraced that yet,” Conrad said.

Finding herself giving advice to others about working through their own disabilities, Conrad admits she should have taken her own advice.

In time she did, “which has helped me be comfortable with who I am and how I was created.”

She noted that time with God and good friends helped her to get to that place.

“I’ve been able to have opportunities to speak with others with disabilities and just be their friend. Whether it’s just like solely just to be their friend or like guide them and help them out in any way. It’s been a blessing for me to be able to do that. And I hope I’ve been a blessing to others,” she said.

While the psychology major is just a sophomore in college and has some time before she graduates, she said she hopes to pay it forward by counseling kids “and teens especially would just be so great for me to do. And if I can, I would like to counsel kids with disabilities. When I help others with their disabilities, I feel more comfortable with mine.”

If nothing else, Conrad said she’s learned a lot about herself and has this one message for anyone else that’s struggling: “Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t think you’re less than what you are.”