Disabilities can be a struggle to many people, especially for those who do their best to help others. Many students must face the day with whatever disability has been dealt their way. A few people out there use their disabilities as a crutch to not perform to the best of their abilities. Others see their disabilities as an excuse to try harder.
Gregory Taylor Harper, or Taylor, was born with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is condition that can affect the nervous system and brain which in turn can affect movement. Cerebral palsy does not define Harper, it drives him to do the best he can.
“Everyone is different,” Harper said. “It leaves me with a little more to prove.”
Harper is a history major at Mesa State. Museum work or a traveling wildlife show would be a career that Harper strives to get into.
“I really enjoy History,” Harper said. “It is so interesting.”
His love of sports, especially baseball, as well as his love of history, keeps him upbeat about life.
While attending Fruita-Monument High School, Harper was a team manager with the baseball, wrestling, and football teams throughout his high school career. Now he helps baseball as a team manager for the Mesa State baseball team. There he does tasks such as cleaning up the clubhouse, moving the bases, and running the radar gun.
“I help out the redshirts (redshirt freshmen) and hang out at the games,” Harper said. “I find the home games as a time to relax. I mostly help out at practices, but I dont get to accompany the team on away games since I have classes during the week.”
u
jdthomas@mesastate.edu