UHart Student Details Her “Uphill Climb” Against Cerebral Palsy

Rene persisted. "She started insisting to the principal that she wanted to learn, she needed to learn," said Marlene Lambert. "So the principal had to develop a curriculum for her. She would not settle for just physical therapy."

Her craving for knowledge would lead Rene to the United States, and eventually to the University of Hartford. That remarkable journey is the subject of Rene's book, Uphill Climb: Cerebral Palsy Adventures, which she wrote and published last year.

"I wanted to encourage people, and just tell my story," Rene said. In the book, she details the challenges she faced living with a disability that affects her motor skills and speech; her accomplishments as she worked her way through grade school, high school, and on to college; and the central place her faith holds in her life.

"Cerebral palsy is what I've got; cerebral palsy is what I'm not," she writes. "I refuse to let it hinder me from living my life how I want."

Rene was determined to attend college in the United States, so she and Marlene settled in Connecticut while Rene was still in high school. After earning her associate's degree, Rene entered UHart as a journalism major with a psychology minor. For many years, Rene had caregivers who accompanied her to school. But at UHart, she attends classes on her own, using a notetaking app.

"I think that has given her a lot of independence as opposed to having to work with someone," Marlene said. "Rene does all her work on her own. She is a self-disciplined and self-motivated person. The book that she wrote-I did not read it until the publication of the first hard copy. That's all her doing."

Rene has been tirelessly promoting the book as well. Plans are in the works to make it available in the Harrison Libraries and the Campus Store. An on-campus book signing is also planned.

Meanwhile, future challenges await. "I want to finish my studies in psychology and journalism and go on to theology," Rene said.

And one thing she wants people to know about her? "I'm a goof and I love to have fun!"