Alina Andrade

University of Arizona
Art and Visual Culture Education 
Undegraduate - Bachelor of Arts
Certificate in Developmental Disabilities

I am interested in the Sonoran UCEDD program because this will help me gain more insight and knowledge on disabilities. I want to pursue a career in Art Therapy and hopefully, after I graduate from the University of Arizona, I can earn my masters and certification in Art Therapy at Prescott College. Also, I have a disability myself. I was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome when I was eight years old. Tourettes is a learning disability and it also involves making weird noises and movements (also known as “tics”). Although it has slowly faded away, it does not always go away in most people. The learning aspect of my disability still gets in the way of my learning, but have many resources and people to help me succeed.  Art became therapy for me as a young girl. It helped me cope with my pain and struggle growing up with Tourettes. Art has been a part of me since middle school all the way until now. I hope to inspire other disabled individuals to make art and to learn how their feelings and thoughts can turn into beautiful masterpieces.